But what colour were cricket balls originally?

（单词翻译）

It’s never easy to talk about your salary, but it might sometimes be necessary! How is it possible to do this without sounding rude or too desperate?
谈论薪金问题不是件容易事，但有时候非常必要。怎样才能温婉的而又不失礼节的说呢？
Imagine that you have been working for your company for three years, but you haven’t yet received a pay rise or a significant¹ bonus. You have decided² to raise this issue with your manager. What words and phrases might be useful in your conversation with him or her?
假设你在公司工作三年了，但是你从来没涨过薪水也没有其他福利。因此你决定与你的经理谈一下。你会用到什么样的词或短语呢？
Asking for a pay rise

Useful Phrases It’s a bit difficult, but … I really feel it’s about time I have made good progress I really feel that I’ve grown in the job I’ve taken on a lot more responsibility It’s time that it was recognised It’s time my efforts were rewarded I do believe that… …isn’t too much to ask Should I put this request in writing?
Transcript³
Abigail:Hi, are you free for a quick chat?
Mark:Sure, come in, come in. Sit down. What can I do for you?
Abigail:Okay. Well, it’s a bit difficult, but … I really feel that it’s about time that I had a pay rise.
Mark:Okay and why do you feel like that?
Abigail:Well, I have been here now for three years and in that time I have made good progress. I really feel that I’ve grown in the job and I’ve taken on a lot more responsibility. I just think it’s time that it was recognised and that my efforts were rewarded.
Mark:Right. So you feel that you’re on a low salary for your current position and current responsibilities, do you?
Abigail: Yeah, I do believe that what I’ve contributed（贡献） to the department over recent months means that I should be paid more. . BBC Learning⁴ English Page 1 of 2 bbclearningenglish.com
Mark: Abigail:  Okay, well, what kind of rise would you be looking for? Well, you know, I think that 3% on top of the usual annual rise with inflation（通货膨胀） isn’t too much to ask. 
Mark: Abigail:  Three per cent... Hmm. Right, well, as you know, I can’t just give you a pay rise immediately, just like that. I’ll have to discuss it with the other managers here. And, as you can imagine, there aren’t unlimited⁵ funds⁶ available for things like this. But you might be pleased to hear that we are having a pay review meeting very soon and I’ll make sure we discuss your request then. Okay, fine. Should I put this request in writing as well? So we all have a record of this discussion⁷? 
Mark:  Yes, that’d be a good idea. Email me and also copy it to human resources. 
（本文由在线英语听力整理编辑）