Day 152: Signatures for the Degree Paperwork
In a parking lot at the UNAM in Mexico City, Maura (A), a student finishing her degree, catches her professor, Dr. Ofelia Montes (B), who is about to leave for a conference; social service is the unpaid work Mexican students must do before they can graduate.
How to study this lesson 3 steps
- Read the situation under the title. It says who is talking and how they know each other, which decides how politely they speak.
- Read the dialogue line by line with its translation, until every line makes sense. Point at (or tap) a Spanish word to see what it means.
- Spend at least 30 minutes listening to native Spanish, for example from the Resources page. It doesn't matter if you don't understand it yet.
Dialogue
Audio recordings are on the way. For now, each lesson is the dialogue with its English translation.
Keys: E hide English · ← → previous / next day · point at a word to see its meaning
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A
Doctora, perdone que la aborde en el estacionamiento, pero necesito su firma en el informe de mi servicio social.
Dr. Montes, sorry to catch you in the parking lot, but I need your signature on my social service report.
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B
Me voy a Bogotá en tres horas, Maura, y regreso hasta el 20. ¿Para cuándo lo necesita?
I'm off to Bogotá in three hours, Maura, and I'm not back until the 20th. When do you need it by?
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A
Para el viernes. Sin el informe y la carta de término, en titulación no me dan fecha de examen este semestre.
By Friday. Without the report and the completion letter, the degree office won't give me an exam date this semester.
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B
A ver, démelo. El informe se lo firmo ahorita en el cofre del carro, aunque se me haga tarde para el vuelo.
OK, give it to me. I'll sign the report for you now on the hood of the car, even if it makes me late for my flight.
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A
¡Mil gracias! Pero la carta de término va en hoja membretada y con el sello del instituto.
Thank you so much! But the completion letter has to be on letterhead and carry the institute's stamp.
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B
Eso no lo traigo, pero el secretario académico puede firmarla por ausencia. En cuanto llegue al aeropuerto, le escribo para que la tenga lista mañana.
I don't have that with me, but the academic secretary can sign it on my behalf. As soon as I get to the airport, I'll message him so he has it ready tomorrow.
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A
¿Y aunque diga “por ausencia”, en servicio social me la aceptan? Ya me rechazaron un papel por un sello chueco.
And even if it says “on behalf of,” will the social service office accept it? They've already turned down one of my papers over a crooked stamp.
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B
Con otros alumnos siempre la han aceptado. Y una vez que la tenga, no espere a que yo regrese: entréguela ese mismo día.
They've always accepted it for other students. And once you have it, don't wait for me to come back: hand it in that same day.
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A
Perfecto. Y una vez que me titule, la invito a comer, doctora, aunque sea sobre el cofre de un carro.
Perfect. And once I've graduated, I'll take you out for lunch, Dr. Montes, even if it's on the hood of a car.
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