Speaking! (From Phone Copnversation)

[dimkin7]

Hello!
Here in Russia when we pick up phone we say: "Hello! I am listening to you".
But my teacher told me that you say: "Hello! Speaking!".

But recently I've thought: why "Speaking" and not "Speak"?

Thank you.

[hanky]

Hello!
Here in Russia when we pick up phone we say: "Hello! I am listening to you".
But my teacher told me that you say: "Hello! Speaking!".

But recently I've thought: why "Speaking" and not "Speak"?

Thank you.

Not a teacher,
Speaking mean "I am speaking"
If you say: "hello, speak" that means the caller is being asked to speak. :|

[Roselin]

not a teacher,
speaking mean "i am speaking"
if you say: "hello, speak" that means the caller is being asked to speak. :|

:-d

[Ouisch]

In AmE, it is traditional to answer the phone with "Hello?" and then if the caller asks "Is Dimkin7 there?," you'd reply, "Speaking."