Today is the first in a two-part Business English Podcast lesson on using vague language. “Vague” means not clearly defined. For example, if you ask someone what time it is and they say “About 7 or so,” they are being vague. There are lots of reasons to be vague. Sometimes you need to be vague because you don’t know some information or because the information is not important. And sometimes vague language is just more polite.
今天是有关使用“含糊的语言”的2节英语商务播客中的第1节。“含糊的”意思是不清楚地表达。比如：如果你问别人时间，他们说“大概7点左右”，这就是含糊的表达。有很多理由来含糊地表达。有时候你需要含糊表达，因为你不知道情况，或那些情况不重要。有时候含糊的表达更礼貌。

In these two episodes, we’ll be looking at how to speak in a vague way, but different situations require different styles. You’ll have to use your knowledge of the culture, the people and the situation that you are dealing with to decide which style is most appropriate. Our goal is to give you the communication tools you need to succeed in different environments. In future episodes, we’ll also be looking at other styles of speaking.
在这两节中，我们将要学习如何含糊地表达，不同的情况需要不同的方法。你必须使用文化知识，你正处理的人和情况来决定那种方式更合适。我们的目标是教给你在不同情形中你需要用到的交流工具。在以后得课节中，我们也会学习其他的说话技巧。

You’ll be listening to Jen and Mike, two employees at Nexus communications. Jen is inviting Mike to a party.
你会听到Jen和Mike，两个在Nexus工作的雇员。Jen正邀请Mike去参加晚会。

Listening Questions:
1) What do you think Jen means by “ulterior motive?”
2) Is Mike a computer expert?