Teo  +  336542 Wed, 07 Mar 07 08:54 AM Who is ___ speaking? (A) this (B) that Which choice is natural American English when one asks who somebody is on the telephone? Teo Joined on Tue, Sep 28 2004 Taiwan Contributing Member 1,631 Thank you very much for your reply. American English

	Yoong Liat  +  336583 Wed, 07 Mar 07 11:59 AM  ElevenTattic wrote: I think it's "Who's this speaking?", but generally why don't you just say "Who's this?". "Who's that speaking?" is BrE. Correct me if I'm wrong. Yoong Liat Joined on Mon, Sep 4 2006 Veteran Member 6,757 American English

	nona the brit  +  336597 Wed, 07 Mar 07 12:58 PM 'Who's speaking' is British English. nona the brit Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004 England Veteran Member 11,713 The name says it all. American English, British English

	TammyBaby  +  336620 Wed, 07 Mar 07 01:59 PM I'm going to say "Who's speaking?" But normally, when someone picks up the phone, s/he will say their name. ^^ TammyBaby Joined on Wed, Jul 27 2005 Full Member 332 TammyBaby - Nothing is impossible! Life changes when we change! A secret makes a woman woman! American English

	Grammar Geek  +  336638 Wed, 07 Mar 07 03:00 PM If I'm the person who has received the call, and the person didn't identify themselves, I'd say "Who is this?" (if it seemed they were a solicitor) or "Who's calling, please" if they were polite but didn't identify themselves. If I'm the person making the call, I would never ask this. I'm supposed to know who I've called. I would simply ask for the person I was trying to reach. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,683 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random! American English

	spinnaker  +  336686 Wed, 07 Mar 07 04:47 PM By the way: There are different manners for each country. What do the Americans first say when they pick up the phone? spinnaker Joined on Sat, Apr 23 2005 Regular Member 767 American English

	Grammar Geek  +  336719 Wed, 07 Mar 07 06:22 PM Hello? (at home) At work, I answer using my name Grammar Geek

	CalifJim  +  336768 Wed, 07 Mar 07 09:46 PM What do the Americans first say when they pick up the phone? Surprise, surprise!  There's a dial tone today!  Or possibly:  How would you like me to throw this at you?  But seriously: Hello. But at a place of business, you may be requested to answer with your name, with the company name, with the department name, or in some other way. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,463 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche American English