Talking to the electrician: Kannada English

Before you listen: Please, note the highlighted words below. Their pronunciation is different in Kannada English. Try to pay attention when you listen to them, because most Indian people will pronounce them in this way. Remember that 1) in Kannada English, all -ed endings are clearly pronounced 2) ma'am, mam, sir are used in almost every sentence 3) many speakers add Kannada words into their English 4) all th sounds become t or d.

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Tip: In India, a lot of people pronounce w and v the same, as v. You can hear that a lot in this topic. That's not correct in other types of English, but in India, it's important to pronounce it like that, or you may not be understood!

[Explaining the problem, asking for an estimate and telling him it’s urgent]

Customer: Hello! Good morning. My refrigerator is not working for the last few days. And the light inside is also not working. It happened after the rains last week. Could you please check it now?

Electrician: Yes, Ma’am. Where is the fridge?

C: This way, please.

E: Ma’am, we need to change some parts. I can buy the parts and bring it. Are you free today after one hour or tomorrow in the afternoon?

C: Yes, today is better. What time will you come?

E: After 1 or 2 hours ma’am. I will buy the parts and come back.

C: Thank you so much. Could you please tell me how much it will cost?

E: I think it will cost around 500 rupees. I will give you the bill ma’am and you can pay me after that.

C: Thank you so much. And how much is your service charge?

E: It's 300 rupees ma’am.

C: Thank you so much. No problem. I'll wait for you.

①Estimate 見積もり

​　Refrigerator/ Fridge 冷蔵庫

　Bill 領収書

​　Service charge サービス料

②Receipt レシート

​　One and half hours 一時間半

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③Card 名刺

　Contact number 電話番号

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④Repair 修理​

[After he comes back with the parts and starts working on it]

C: Thank you so much for coming. How much did it cost? And could you please give me the receipt for the parts and the service charge?

E: Yes ma’am. Here it is.

C: Thank you so much. Can I also have the receipt for the service charge, please?

E: Sorry ma’am. I cannot give you a receipt for service charge.

C: Can you please write it down here and sign?

E: Yes ma’am. No problem. Can I start working now ma’am?

C: Yes, please. And how much time will it take?

E: It will take around one and half hours ma’am.

C: Alright no problem. Thank you so much.

[After the repair has been done]

E: Ma’am I have changed some parts. Please keep the refrigerator off for 2 hours and start after that.

C: Alright, thank you. Is there anything else?

E: No ma’am.

C: Here’s your service fee. Thank you so much. And do you have a card or contact number?

E: Yes ma’am. Here's the company card. You can call me, my company, or call on this number. My name is Chandru and this is my contact number.

C: Thank you so much.

E: Welcome. Bye.

C: Bye!

[In case, he says it will take a lot of time and you have some other appointment for the day]

C: I'm sorry but I have some work today. Can you please come tomorrow at this time for the repairs?

E: I'm sorry ma’am, tomorrow is not possible. How about Wednesday?

C: Wednesday? What time can you come on Wednesday?

E: Around 1pm ma’am.

C: That’s better. Thank you. I'm sorry for today. And... can I give you the service charge on Wednesday?

E: Yes, ma’am. No problem. See you on Wednesday.

C: Thank you. You too. Bye.