礼节美语 Business Etiquette 151 Lawsuit (1)

　　Barry召集公司同事开会，有个坏消息要宣布。
Barry: Well, folks...I'm afraid I have some bad news. Our lawyers told me this morning that we are being sued.
Chris: Sued? Who's suing us?
Susan: And on what grounds?
B: An Australian man named John Smith alleged¹ that his microwave exploded while he was using it last year. Mr. Smith suffered injuries and he wants compensation.
C: How much compensation does he want?
B: His lawyers are asking for two million dollars.
S: Two million! That's insane!
Barry说，公司被告了，We are being sued. sued is spelled s-u-e-d, sued, 是控告、起诉的意思。Susan问，起诉罪名是什么，on what grounds? grounds，在这里是理由、根据的意思。
Barry说，原告是一个澳大利亚人，被微波炉炸伤，索赔两百万美元，Susan觉得，That's insane! 这简直是疯了!
C: This is how the game is played. They ask for millions but it's usually a negotiating tactic².
B: Yeah, Chris is probably right. The figure of two million dollars is a place to begin bargaining from. They are probably hoping to settle the case quickly.
S: But Barry, we don't manufacture microwave ovens! How in the world are we responsible for an accident like this?
B: We might not manufacture microwaves, but our company does make a heat-sensing component³ that is part of many microwaves. Maybe Chris can shed some light on this, Chris?
Chris说，对方要价两百万只是一种谈判策略， a negotiating tactic。Barry也觉得对方希望settle the case quickly，尽快了结案子。可是，公司不生产微波炉，为什么要为微波炉爆炸赔钱呢？Barry请Chris给大家解释一下，shed some light on this. Chris说，
C: If I'm not mistaken, you're referring to our company's sensor⁴ chips. They are small chips that help control how heat is regulated.
S: So our chip made the microwave blow up?
C: Not exactly. The chip might have malfunctioned⁵, but I doubt it. We test those products very rigorously and our quality control is strong. I don't think we are responsible for the explosion.
S: I don't believe the sensor could cause an explosion. We are innocent! This lawsuit⁶ is totally without merit!
原来，他们公司生产的sensor chip感应芯片是微波炉的感热部件。不过Chris说，公司质检很严格，所以芯片应该和微波炉爆炸无关。这么说，This lawsuit is totally without merit, 这桩诉讼完全就是无理取闹。那么，公司要如何应对这桩官司呢？我们下次继续听。

1 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

2 tactic   

n.战略，策略；adj.战术的，有策略的

参考例句：

• Reducing prices is a common sales tactic.降价是常用的销售策略。
• She had often used the tactic of threatening to resign.她惯用以辞职相威胁的手法。

3 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。

4 sensor   

n.传感器，探测设备，感觉器（官）

参考例句：

• The temperature sensor is enclosed in a protective well.温度传感器密封在保护套管中。
• He plugged the sensor into a outlet.他把传感器插进电源插座。

5 malfunctioned   

发生故障(malfunction的过去式与过去分词)

参考例句：

• Is there any way the dye pack malfunctioned back at the bank? 什么能使爆色板在银行内就失效？ 来自电影对白
• The malfunctioned roller of his mouse is under repair. 他鼠标的滚轴失灵了，正在修呢。 来自互联网

6 lawsuit   

n.诉讼，控诉

参考例句：

• They threatened him with a lawsuit.他们以诉讼威逼他。
• He was perpetually involving himself in this long lawsuit.他使自己无休止地卷入这场长时间的诉讼。