121.2 Opening words
See 34.7d (p. 73).
(a) The first word may be an introductory ‘filler’ (see 116 ) such as also, nun, or
even ja.(b) In a speech this might be followed by Liebe Freunde! ‘dear friends’ or Meine (sehr
geehrten) Damen und Herren! ‘Ladies and gentlemen’. In a lecture or a report, some
kind of introductory remark might follow, such as Thema dieses Vortrags (dieses
Referats) ist (lautet)... ‘the subject of this lecture (this paper) is... ’121.3 Closing words
(a) Once again, a simple ‘filler’ such as also, after a pause, could mark the beginning of
the conclusion. It is also quite common to mark the final part of a monologue with
schließlich:Also, ich komme schließlich zu meinem letzten Punkt,...
Schließlich also komme ich zu meinem letzten Punkt,...
Finally, then, I come to my last point,... See also 76.9 (pp. 264–6).
A slightly more formal word is abschließend ‘in conclusion’:Abschließend möchte ich sagen, dass...
In conclusion I would like to say that...Ich komme abschließend zu der Finanzfrage.
I come finally to the financial question.(b) More formal expressions meaning to summarize include zusammen*fassen, ein,
Fazit ziehen, and Bilanz ziehen:Ich möchte also jetzt zusammenfassen ...
So, I would now like to sum up...See also 121.4 (p. 437).
(c) The speaker can signal that he or she is nearly finished speaking as follows:Ich bin gleich am Ende/gleich fertig.
I am almost finished.Ich nähere mich dem Ende dieses Referats. (formal)
I am drawing to a close (coming to the end) of this lecture, etc.(d) In a formal situation it is customary to finish by thanking the audience for their
attention. Possibilities, in rising order of formality, include:Ich danke fürs Zuhören.
Thanks for listening.Ich danke Ihnen für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit.
Thank you for your attention.121
COMMUNICATION STATEGIES