Using a mobile phone

A British newspaper recently revealed that there are 108 mobile phones per 100 people in the UK. The British are certainly not alone in their love affair with the mobile phone, and as mobiles become more sophisticated, we use them for a greater variety of reasons. But is it easier to communicate using a mobile?

On one hand, mobile phones have a number of advantages over fixed land lines. We can use them in emergencies, we can always contact people, and we can do business "on the move". But on the other hand, there are a number of difficulties which we don't generally have with fixed lines. We have less control over our surroundings and ambient noise, and the call quality is often worse than on fixed lines.

This article focuses on ways to improve mobile phone communication and to make phoning in English easier and more effective.

1. In noisy surroundings

It's obviously easier to make or receive a phone call when you're somewhere quiet and you can easily concentrate on what the other person is saying, but we don't always have this "luxury". If the surroundings are noisy, try the following phrases:
Sorry, can you speak up a bit? It's really noisy here.
I'm sorry, but I can't hear you very well. Can you speak louder please?
Sorry, I didn't catch the last thing you said.

I'm on a bus, and I can't hear you very clearly. I'll call you back later.
Look, can I call you back in a couple of minutes? It's really noisy here.

2. When the call quality is bad

The signal isn't very good. Can you speak more slowly please?
I think we're just about to lose the signal. Can I call you back?
You're breaking up. I'll call you back.
We're just about to go into a tunnel and I might lose you. Can I call you back?

3. When you can't discuss business with other people present

There are also privacy issues with mobile phones. If you're on a land line in an office, it's easy to close the door and make a personal or private call. But if you're in the middle of the street, or with another person, you might want to say something to show you can't talk.
I can't really talk about this now. Can you give me a call in a few minutes?
I'm not at my desk, and I don't have all the details. Can I give you a call back a bit later?
I'm sorry, but this isn't a good time to talk. Can I call you back later?

4. Useful phone phrases

Here are some general phrases that you can use on the phone to make communication easier.

Bad line / bad time
Can I call you back?
Can I give you a call back?
Can you call me back?

When you don't understand
Sorry, but I don't really follow you.
I'm not sure I understand.
Sorry, what was that?
Sorry, what did you say?
Did you say …..?
Can you say that again please?
Can you repeat that please?

Asking the other person to slow down
Could you speak more slowly please?
I didn't get the last thing you said.
It's a really bad line. Can you say it again more slowly please.

And finally, remember that it's perfectly acceptable to speak more slowly than in normal speech. Your main objective is to be able to understand - and be understood, so don't worry if you sound unnatural. Try to speak clearly, avoid speaking too fast, and be as concise as you possibly can.

See also the article on making phone calls in English and the blog post on

Ginseng At A Glance

Asian Ginseng

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb Asian ginseng—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Asian ginseng is native to China and Korea and has been used in various systems of medicine for many centuries. Asian ginseng is one of several types of true ginseng (another is American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius).
An herb called Siberian ginseng or eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is not a true ginseng.
Common Names—Asian ginseng, ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Korean ginseng, Asiatic ginseng
Latin Name—Panax ginseng

What It Is Used For
Treatment claims for Asian ginseng are numerous and include the use of the herb to support overall health and boost the immune system. Traditional and modern uses of ginseng include:

• Improving the health of people recovering from illness
• Increasing a sense of well-being and stamina, and improving both mental and physical performance
• Treating erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C, and symptoms related to menopause
• Lowering blood glucose and controlling blood pressure

How It Is Used
The root of Asian ginseng contains active chemical components called ginsenosides (or panaxosides) that are thought to be responsible for the herb’s medicinal properties. The root is dried and used to make tablets or capsules, extracts, and teas, as well as creams or other preparations for external use.

What the Science Says

• Some studies have shown that Asian ginseng may lower blood glucose.Other studies indicate possible beneficial effects on immune function.
• To date, research results on Asian ginseng are not conclusive enough to prove health claims associated with the herb. Only a handful of large clinical trials on Asian ginseng have been conducted.
• Most studies have been small or have had flaws in design and reporting.
• Some claims for health benefits have been based only on studies conducted in animals.
• NCCAM supports studies to better understand the use of Asian ginseng. Areas of recent NCCAM-funded research include Asian ginseng’s interactions with other herbs and drugs and the herb’s potential to treat chronic lung infection, impaired glucose tolerance, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Side Effects and Cautions

• When taken by mouth, ginseng is usually well tolerated. Some sources suggest that its use be limited to 3 months because of concerns about the development of side effects.
• The most common side effects are headaches and sleep and gastrointestinal problems.
• Asian ginseng can cause allergic reactions.
• There have been reports of breast tenderness, menstrual irregularities, and high blood pressure associated with Asian ginseng products, but these products’ components were not analyzed, so effects may have been due to another herb or drug in the product.
• Asian ginseng may lower levels of blood sugar; this effect may be seen more in people withdiabetes. Therefore, people with diabetes should use extra caution with Asian ginseng, especially if they are using medicines to lower blood sugar or taking other herbs, such as bitter melon and fenugreek, that are also thought to lower blood sugar.
• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Sources

Ginseng, Asian (Panax ginseng). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary supplements.New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:265-277.
Ginseng, Panax. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on July 2, 2007.
Ginseng. Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com on June 28, 2007.
Ginseng root. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:170-177.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Hepatitis C and Complementary and Alternative Medicine: 2003 Update. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site. Accessed at
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/hepatitisc/ on July 9, 2007.

For More Information
Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view:
• What’s in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements at nccam.nih.gov/health/bottle/
• Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too at nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety/
NCCAM Clearinghouse
Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226
TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615
E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov
CAM on PubMed
Web site: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov
NIH National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus
Ginseng Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-ginseng.html
This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.