Today’s conversation is about informal greetings and farewells.Jane: Hi, Helen! How’s it going?Helen: Fine, thanks — and you?Jane: Just fine. Where are you off to?Helen: To the library. I’ve got a history exam next week and need to start studying. Ugh.Jane: Oh, no. Well, I’ll see you later then. Good luck!Helen: Thanks. See you later.Language notes• “Hi” is an informal way of saying “hello.” Notice that the “i” sound in “hi” is extended, to show that Jane is very pleased to see Helen.• “How’s it going?” is an informal way of saying “How are you?”• “Fine, thanks — and you?” Notice the rising intonation on “and you?” This shows that Helen is interested in what Jane has to say.• “Where are you off to?” is an informal way of saying “Where are you going?” Notice the falling intonation since this is an information question, not a “yes/no” question.• “To the library.” Notice that Helen does not say “I’m going” here because that information was already established in the question “Where are you off to?”• “Oh, no.” is a way of saying “I sympathize with you” or “I understand you are not happy.”• “See you later” is an informal way of saying “goodbye.”Notas lingüísticas“Hi” es una manera informal de decir “hello” (hola). Observe que el sonido “i” en “hi” es prolongado, para mostrar que Janet está muy contenta de ver a Helen.“How’s it going?” (¿Qué tal le/te va?) es una manera informal de decir “How are you?” (¿Cómo está usted/cómo estas?).“Fine, thanks — and you?” Observe la entonación alta en “and you?” (¿Y a usted/a ti?). Esta entonación muestra que a Helen le interesa lo que Janet va a decir.“Where are you off to?” es un modo informal de decir “Where are you going?” (¿A dónde va/vas?). Observe la entonación leve, porque se trata de una pregunta abierta, no de una pregunta con respuesta afirmativa o negativa (“sí/no”).“To the library.” Observe que Helen no dice “I’m going” (Voy) en este caso porque esa información ya se sobreentiende en la pregunta “Where are you off to?” (¿A dónde va?).“Oh, no” es una forma de decir “I sympathize with you” (comparto su/tu sentir/lo siento por usted/ti) o “I understand you are not happy” (“Comprendo que no esté/s contenta/o”).“See you later” es una manera informal de decir “goodbye” (adiós).

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