英文商务信函

2024-08-31

英文商务信函(精选12篇)

英文商务信函 篇1

We live in an era when science and technology brings many new developments and huge changes to our lives, especially, the entry to WTO has created great incentive for our uniformity with the rest of the world in business transaction.As a result, the translation of business letters becomes more and more important, and it still bears the basic role to make the different people communicate in two languages.The target reader gets meaning out of what is said and how is said in an original business letter.This kind of communication is just like any face-to-face conversations, for example, person’s manner of speaking, the smile of frown on his face, the tone of the voice and etc., all tell something beyond what the words say.This“implied”message can either reinforce or contradict the words.It is the same case with the original business letters.

What importance does this concept of a double messagehave upon our writing and translating?Considered in its most fundamental terms, a business letter may be defined as a message that attempts to influence its recipient to take some action or attitude desired by the sender.This desired result may be of immediate importance, such as the collecting of a bill, or just an intangible attitude like goodwill.Therefore, we must make sure that the business letter is usually more formal than the other social letters stylistically.Considerably, a translated business letter should first be clear, stating its purposes so directly that there is no possibility of its being misunderstood.Secondly, the translated version should be exact, containing every detail which is necessary for translating the business letters in hand.Thirdly, a translated business letter should be concise.And the finally, a well-translated business letter should be courtesy.Here are the details that how a qualified translator of business letters should abide by.

1 Clarity

Dear Ms.Rutt,

Mr.Liver yesterday called our agent David saying that the mistake was his.As a result, his insurance has acquiesced.Therefore, we shall be repaired the full amount of our subrogation interest in his matter.

If this is satisfactory to you, please sign the attached release and forward it along with the copy of our accident report.

Yours sincerely,

F.Middleman

Version One

Dear Ms.Rutt,

Mr.Liver yesterday admitted his blame for your accident on January12.As a result, his insurance company had agreed to repay us the full amount ($2, ooo) for your collision damage.We are quite pleased at their willingness to settle out of court.

If this offer sounds acceptable to you, please sign the enclosed release and return it to us, along with the copy of our accident report.

Yours sincerely,

F.Middleman

Version Two

A business letter, the original, is effective only when it communicates the necessary ideas to its reader with clarity, so is the translated version.This seems to be a simple quality, but it is often ignored in actual practice.Let’s take a look at the following sample rendered from the Chinese version, which are some sentences abstracting from the business letters. (Cao Ling, 2003:23)

(1) The statement in version one, “Mr.Liver yesterday called our agent David saying that the mistake was his.”who does this“his”refer to?Mr.Liver or David?Checking it again in the original, we find that rendering in version two“Mr.Liver yesterday admitted his blame for your accident on January 12.”is just the meaning.

(2) The last sentence is another example:“...and forward it along with the copy of our accident report.”But to whom?The insurance company or writer?So the first translated version is not clear at all.Then the second translated is much better.

(3) The most important event about how to compensate is left out in the first version, as we all know, if a writer or translator leaves out something the reader should know in doing something or forming certain opinion, the clarity of the business letter diminishes.In translated version one, Mr.Middleman did not mention the amount of money the insurance company will pay.So only the amount of compensation is laid out in version two, can Ms.Rutt accept it satisfactorily?

(4) Some others can also make the translated version not clear, just as quoting some jargon (e.g.subrogation interest) , which the reader may not understand easily;the irrelevant information (e.g.agent David) , which not only makes the letter less clear, also does the letter less concise.

2 Correctness

According to the characteristics of business letters (thesource text or language) , the diction must be neat, accurate and easily to read in order to attain success of business instead of some unnecessary frictions or lawsuits.The principle, correctness, is same as the criterion“faithfulness”for any other types of translation;i.e., “faithfulness”—to be faithful to the content of the original” (Liu Zhongde, 2003:24) , and it is the most important in the translation.So is for the translation of business letters.The ideas of the rendered version must be as exact as ones of the original, even more accurate than the latter.Let us see the examples:

(1) 相信阁下业已收到司徒先生的通知:须藤先生意同佐藤先生在原址组建东京商行, 并继续同类业务的合作。

译文1:You will probably have received a notification from Mr.Sudo, he will build a new company named Tokyo Shokai with Mr.Sato and continue in the same line of business in the old premises.

译文2:You will probably have received a notification from Mr.Sudo to the effect that he intends to continue in the same line of business in the old premises, forming a new partnership with Mr.Sato, under the title of the Tokyo Shokai. (qtd.Gong Xueping)

It is obviously to see that the first version can not express the exact ideas of“在原址组建”, the implied meaning which the formerly partnership has been dissolved;“并继续同类业务的合作”the partnership with Mr.Sato is under the title of the new company“东京商行”, not under the style of the other companies especially, the old company.

(2) 兹任命原大和商行的股东——山岛先生为该公司的帐务清算人, 他将负责清偿一切负债并收回该公司的所有欠款。

译文1:Mr.Yamagata, formerly a partner, who has been appointed the liquidator, will discharge all liabilities, and all accounts must be paid him.

译文2:Mr.Yamagata, formerly a partner, who has been appointed the liquidator of the late firm, will discharge all liabilities, and all accounts due to the late firm must be paid him. (qtd Gong Xueping)

A Chinese linguist points out“If you want to make the text concise, the pronouns can not be used any more;if you want to make the text accurate, the nouns should be repeated.”So the translator of the second version adding the phrases“of the late firm”and“due to the late firm”makes the idea more accurate closer to the original.Just as the mentioned above, the exactness is the most important criterion for the translation of business letters.Furthermore, using“big words” (archaism or the elegant and formal words) instead of the“small words”to limit the semantic meanings is still for the purpose of exactness. (Wang Zuoliang, 1987:290) “liquidator”, “liabilities”are more suitable than“receiver”and“debt”to express the business relationships, also prove the view.

3 Conciseness

To be conciseness is to express a message completely in as few words as possible.In business correspondence, this means increased effectiveness and decreased costs.Wordy expressions and redundancies are the major blunders to overcome to communicate concisely.Because English and Chinese are the two different languages, the former is hypotactic, like a tall tree with lots of branches and leaves;but the latter is paratactic, like a flourished flower with many petals.Thus, getting the conciseness, the translators should endeavor to convert the structure from a“flourished flower”into a“tall tree”during the translating of business letters by the means of avoiding wordiness and redundancies (except the repetition used for emphasize, redundancy should be avoided in business letters.

1. 他重复强调, 我们应该遵守规定。

译文1:He repeated again that we should follow the rules.

译文2:He repeated that we should follow the rules. (Sue Kay, 2003:65)

2. 请问误期会有什么后果。

译文1:Please be kind enough to advise us what will happen in the event of a delay?

译文2: (Could you) Please tell me what will happen if there is a delay. (Sue Kay, 2003:66)

3.我公司已召开了关于销售指数的会议。

译文1:Our company has called a meeting to hold a discussion about the sales figures.

译文2:We have called a meeting to discuss the sales figures.

(3) :兹通知阁下:经双方一致同意, 即日解散与贵公司合伙组织的大和商行。 (qtd.Gong Xueping)

译文1:After reaching the mutual agreement, we inform you that the partnership existed between us under the style of the Yamato Shokai has been dissolved.

译文2:We inform you that the partnership hitherto existed between us under the style of the Yamato Shokai has this day been dissolved by mutual consent.

Comparing the each two versions, we can be certain of that the second one is much better in keeping the characteristic of conciseness on the condition that the meaning must be accurate Because, particularly in business, people do not have the time to spend reading long, rambling letters or trying to decipher difficult writing (translated business letters) .And it is worthy to mention that it is better to use one sentence for each paragraph to lay out one subject although the original (Chinese) is full of short sentences of phrases to correct and concise information. (see the example3)

In one word, the principles for Chinese-English translation of business letters are the same as the ones for the other types:faithfulness and closeness, as well as more concise, correct and clearer in order to correspond to the features of the original.Of course, there still existed the other principles, like courtesy, consideration, and completeness, etc, for the translation of business letters.But the three discussed in the essay are basic principles.Only a translator does these well, can he reach the aim of helping people to communicating each other efficiently in the era of business transaction by the means of business letters.

4 Courtesy

To be polite is a basic principle for business letter, so is one of its translation principles.Wherever necessary, do not forget to say“thank you, ”“would you please...”, “we would appreciate it...”etc.however, courtesy in business translation is more than just a well-timed“thank you”or“would you please...”A welltranslated courteous letter should be polite, considerate and tactful.To accomplish this goal, several blunders during the translation should be avoided.

1.Avoid suspicion (避免怀疑)

Phrases like“if what you said is true...”, if...as you allege...”may result in the impression that you seem suspicious of reader’s integrity.This is no good to evoke a favorable reaction.Compare the following examples:

Version A:We received the letter in which you claimed that the timer was defective at the time of purchase. (poor)

Version B:We have noticed in your letter that the timer was defective at the time of purchase. (better)

Version A:If the goods were damage in shipment, as you allege, we... (poor)

Version B:As you mentioned the goods were damaged in shipment, we... (better)

2. Avoid accusation (避免指责)

Whenever you wish to evoke a favorable reaction from the reader, do not accuse or reprimand him or her.Phrases like“you neglected”, “you forgot”, “you omitted”may risk offending your reader with accusation.Try to compare the following pairs of examples and think about your possible reaction if you are the reader.

Version A:You obviously ignored our request that you return the report by registered mail. (Poor)

Version B:We did request that you return the report by registered mail. (Better)

Version A:You did not read the operating instruction for the machine carefully. (Poor)

Version B:To enjoy the full benefits of the new machine you should follow the operation instruction carefully. (Better)

3. Avoid talking down (避免居高临下)

In the translation of business letters, the tone of superiority usually has destructive effects, if the writer and the reader aim to cooperate on an equal basis.Please compare the following pair examples:

Version A:In an establishment as large as ours, we seldom.. (Poor)

Version B:Please notice that it is not our common practice to... (Better)

Version A:We shall allow you to... (poor)

Version B:We shall be glad to have you... (better)

Version A:You may call me at... (poor)

Version B:Please call me at...

摘要:加入世界贸易组织极大地刺激了我国与世界其他国家商务交易的一致性。因而, 商务信函的翻译越来越体现出它的重要性。商务信函的翻译也是一种语言转换, 要求翻译工作者不但要遵循其他文本翻译的标准, 而且更要注重精确、精练、清晰和礼貌等原则。该文作者试图探讨上述原则在商务信函汉英翻译中运用。

关键词:商务信函,翻译,原则

参考文献

[1] Cao Ling.English Business Letters[M].Beijing:Foreign Lan guage and Research Press, 2003.

[2] Chen Zhongcheng.Conciseness for Translation of Legislation [C]//Fang Mengzhi, Ma Bingyi.Chinese- English Translation. Tourism Education Press of Bejing, 1996.

[3] Gong Xueping.Translation of Business English[Z].Lecture handout.Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 7 September, 2012.

[4] Sue Kay.Practical Business writing: A Guide to Improving Writing in English[M].translated by Wang Xiaoming.Beijing: Beijing Institute of Technology Press, 2003.

[5] Wang Zuoliang, Ding Wangdao.Introduction to English Stylistics [M].Beijing:Foreign Language and Research Press, 1987.

英文商务信函 篇2

一、信封的书写

1、发信人的姓名地址写在左上角或信封背面。

2、收信人姓名地址写在信封中间;姓名先写,然后由小到大写地址;姓名单独占一行,地址可占二或三行等;收信人姓名前加头街。

本书中信封书写如下:

1)信封模版:

发信人姓名、地址

Michelle Sussman(姓名)West Main Street(门牌)

Coshocton, NY 11222(镇-市-邮编)

August 3, 2010

收信人姓名地址

Dr.Linda Peters, Director(姓名,职位)

County General hospital(如有公司名称则写公司名称)

Route 97(门牌)

Callicoon, NY 11203(镇-市-邮编)

2)正文模版(投诉信、索赔信或理赔信等)

Dear_______,I am.(自我介绍)I feel bad to trouble you but I am afraid that I have to make a complaint about_______.The reason for my dissatisfaction is ______________(总体介绍).In the first place,_________________________(抱怨的第一个方面).In addition, ____________________________(抱怨的第二个方面).Under these circumstances, I find it ___(感觉)to ____________________________(抱怨的方面给你带来的后果).I appreciate it very much if you could_______________________(提出建议和请求), preferably __________(进一步的要求), and I would like to have this matter settled by ______(设定解决事情最后期限).Thank you for your consideration and I will be looking forward to your reply.Yours sincerely(这个必须有)

Michelle Sussman(姓名)

二、其他一般商务信函

信封:

日期(右上角)August 1, 2010 收信人姓名、地址

Mr.Micheal Jensen(姓名)

893 Draper Lane(门牌)

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53214(市-州-邮编)

正文:

Dear Mr.Jense.Probaly_________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Sincerely,(这个必须有)

Golden-C Jewelers(公司名称)

Len Stroder(姓名)

英文商务信函中被动语态的翻译 篇3

关键词:英文商务信函;被动语态;翻译

一、被动语态的简要介绍

要探讨被动语态的相关知识,首先需要了解什么是主动语态,二者是相互对立但可以互相转化的。主动语态在我们日常生活中比较常见,主语就是动作的实施者,比如说,“某某干了什么”,“某某怎么样”之类的都是主动语态,其主要特征是主语与谓语之间是主动的关系。被动语态则与之相反,被动语态的主语往往是动作的承担着,在汉语中,被动语态常常用“被”、“让、“给”等被动词表示;在英语中,被动语态通常用“助动词be+动词的过去分词”表示,需要注意的是这里的动词指的是及物动词。

被动语态在英文中的使用较为广泛,有时在强调动作的承担者时,可以忽略动作的执行者一方,只翻译出被动的意思即可,有的时候句子虽然是被动语态,但又需要翻译成主动的意思,还有的时候某些特殊英文短语的翻译涉及被动的意思,总之,英文的翻译情况较多,需要进一步研究。

二、英文商务信函中被动语态功能及分类

1.英文商务信函中被动语态的功能。语言的力量相当强大,总体来说语言有三个方面的功能:首先,语言具有概念功能,即人类描述客观世界、人物经历、内心世界、事物情感等方面的功能;其次,语言具有语篇功能,这一功能主要指语言的连续性,是指人在说话时,不同的句子相互串联形成一个完整的语境的功能;最后,语言具有人际功能,是指语言具有人际交流,促进人际情感的功能。商务信函是进行商务交流与合作的重要手段,它贯穿于人际交往、合同建立、商务磋商、开展商务合作的全过程,是针对特定人群进行的有目的的活动。显而易见,商务信函书写的成功与否直接关系着企业之间商务合作的成败,因此,应该重视起来商务信函的写作,尤其注意英文商务信函中被动语态的使用。被动语态的使用在英文商务信函中主要有以下几种好处:其一,被动语态的使用可以使整封信函显得更加简洁明了,缩减了不必要的主语后,使得信函内容和目的一目了然,既节约了阅读的时间又给人一种雷厉风行的感觉;其二,被动语态的使用使语言表达更加委婉含蓄,显得对方更加文明礼貌,能够使阅读人心情愉畅,加大了合作的成功率;其三,被动语态的使用能够使语言更加客观有力,缺少主观色彩后,文章显得更为中立,这正符合商务交往的原则。

2.英文商务信函中被动语态的分类。要掌握英文商务信函中被动语态的翻译,首先需要了解商务信函中被动语态的分类。大部分英文中的被动形式都是由be动词加上动词的ed形式构成,具体到英文商务信函中,我们需要对其进行仔细分类。

第一类,有实施者的被动语态。这种被动语态的形式为:动作承受者+be动词+及物动词的过去分词+by+实施者。这种形式的被动语态拥有完整的主语与状语,动作的双方完整,翻译后的语意完整,逻辑关系明确。

第二类,无实施者的被动。这种被动语态在英文中十分常见,尤其是在商务信函中。在商务英语的写作中经常省略动作的实施方,这样做的原因一是因为不愿意或者没有必要点出施加方;二是因为在上下文语境中可以得出,无需再次点明;三是委婉含蓄的一种表达形式。

第三类,英文中的固定搭配。在商务英语中形式主语it引导的从句使用广泛,这样做的好处是翻译出来更显严肃客观,重点突出。

三、英文商务信函中被动语态的翻译

1.变被动为主动。通过以上的分析可知,被动语态在英文写作中所占比重相当大,达到文章中五成以上的篇幅。如此之多的被动语态相连,显然对句子的翻译提出较高的要求。在翻译句子时,尤其是在翻译英文商务信函中的内容时,需要注意文章上下文的联系,不能将每句话割立开来翻译,而是要结合上下文的语境和内容,适当的转变主被动的翻译形式,即将部分被动语态的句子翻译成主动形式。这样做的原因有二:

其一,中文与英文在语法上有明显差异,中国人在正式场合说话或者演讲往往采用主动形式,强调谁干了什么,谁要怎么做等等,因此,将英文商务信函翻译成中文时,需要结果中国人说话和阅读的习惯,适时的转变翻译形式,变被动为主动。

其二,翻译要讲变通。翻译时需要结合语境进行翻译,例如几个被动语态的句子连在一起时,它们的翻译就不能简单的当成几个被动句的叠加,否则,会给听众一种生硬生涩的感觉,而应该有所省略、有所添加才好。

2.善用谦辞、敬辞。信函写的好与坏、翻译的优与劣直接关系着双方合作的成与败,因此,商务信函不仅要写得适当得体,而且也要翻译得恰如其分,过度张扬与过度平庸都会产生事与愿违的后果。

想要把英文商务信函翻译得好,首先需要了解商务信函的性质。所谓商务信函是指商务来往中的一部分,涉及双方利益且事态较大,因此,无论是求人办事还是平级协商都需要体现出谦逊、礼貌的态度。众所周知,汉语中善用谦辞与敬辞,尤其是在书信来往中,为了表现的更为礼貌、谦逊,常要借助谦辞、敬辞来委婉的表达观点。因此,在英文商务信函的翻译中可以运用这一点将称呼、观点表达的更为含蓄,使对方能够体会到来信方的诚意,进而促成合作,赢得双方的共赢。

3.注意调整语序,保证句子流畅。由于英文与中文的语法上有较大的差异,因此在表达同一意思的时候,两国表达的顺序可能有所不同,这就要求翻译员熟谙两国的用法差异,及时准确的调整句子顺序,做到翻译后的句子流畅、重点突出、层次分明,不能出现前后不搭、逻辑混乱的情况。这对翻译者提出了较大的挑战,要求其在翻译时不仅要看清當前翻译的句子,更要联系前后句,选择更为恰当的表达方式。

四、结语

如今,国家与国家之间的交往日益频繁,国际合作不断加强,商务信函的翻译是达成两国之间合作关系的桥梁和纽带,因此,无论是国家还是企业都应该引起十足的重视,规范好英文商务信函的翻译工作,使之在国际合作、企业发展进程中发挥出应有的价值。

参考文献:

[1] 彭萍.商务文本翻译尺度的探讨[J].上海科技翻译, 2011,(1):108- 109.

[2] 张景丰.国际商务英语信函的文体特点及翻译[J].河南机电高等专科学校学报,2011,(9): 106- 108.

英文商务信函 篇4

由于各国的文化习惯和礼仪、礼貌都存在着一定的差异, 我们在写作英文信函的时候, 也要注意文化差异和表达习惯的不同, 要采用对方能够接受的语言表述方式, 以免造成不必要的误解。礼貌、得体的信函表述还可以为商务洽谈赢得有利的机会, 对商务纠纷的化解起到积极的作用。

在撰写英文商务函件的时候, 首先要有一个正确的定位和态度, 要使双方的交流建立在平等互利的基础上, 语言要亲切、自然, 不要为了讨好对方而显得过分谦卑, 避免一些虚伪的客套和奉承, 这样更容易赢得对方的理解和信任。另外, 要想让商务信函在对外贸易中更好地发挥积极的作用, 我们还要注意礼貌语的得体运用以及沟通的技巧。要让对方感受到自己被尊重, 适度的赞扬和表示亲近也是很好的表现方式, 让对方感到亲切, 愿意继续进行贸易上的交流和合作。

一、以亲切温和的语气开篇

一般来说, 商务信函的开头语可以用来简要地表明来信的意图, 起到提纲挈领的作用, 用语要简明扼要、清晰明了。开头部分的语句不能过于生硬, 要亲切、自然, 给人良好的印象, 愿意继续阅读函件, 还要考虑到与对方的关系, 礼貌、得体地进行表达。根据写信的目的不同, 可以运用不同的开篇方式, 比如:“We are pleased to inform you that…”“The purpose of this letter is to inform you that (of) ”表达将某事告知对方的意思, 这样的句型显得比较正式, 让对方有被重视和尊重的感觉, 还可以明确写信的意图。

二、注意情感上的沟通

商务函件的主要功能是进行商务交流和沟通, 但是我们在撰写商务函件的时候, 也不能忽略同对方情感上的沟通, 在陈述事实和提出问题的同时, 要表达出对对方的关切和体谅。即使是指出对方的错误, 也要注意表达的技巧, 不能使对方感到面子受损。良好的情感沟通不仅是礼貌和得体的基本要求, 更会对贸易往来起到积极的作用, 许多不必要的纠纷也可以随之化解。比如, 当在贸易往来中发生问题的时候, 我们在信件中可以用这样的句型:“we are grieved to hear of (about) ”或者“To our deep regret we were informed that (of) ”对所获悉的事实表示遗憾, 这样的说法会让对方感受到被关心和理解, 接下来的事情处理起来也会变得更容易一些。

三、婉转地表示拒绝

有些时候, 我们在商务信函中, 需要表达拒绝的意思, 当对方提出的要求我们不能接受或者意见不能达成一致的时候, 我们就要表示拒绝。如何礼貌地拒绝对方, 又能得到对方的宽容和理解, 就是我们在语言表达时应该考虑的问题。当我们表达拒绝的时候, 一定要传达出不得已或者已经尽到努力但却不可改变的意思, 这样往往容易得到对方的谅解, 言辞也比较委婉, 不容易激化矛盾。可以用这样的句子:“It is most regrettable that we have to inform you that (of) …”“It causes me much sorrow to have to say that…”表达不得已或者很遗憾的心情。

四、表达谢意或者致歉要真诚

如果我们在信函中想要表达对对方的感激之情, 或者因为某些原因需要向对方致歉的时候, 一定要注意以真诚的态度来叙述, 要针对具体的问题, 诚恳地表达谢意或歉意。表达谢意是一种很好的传达礼貌的方式, 对他人的工作和努力表示谢意和赞赏, 会产生积极的作用。比如, 可以说:“Please accept our thanks in advance for your usual kind attention.”或者“We request you to accept our warmest thanks for the anticipated favour.”对对方的帮助表达诚挚的谢意。

适时地表达歉意, 赢得对方的体谅, 也是一种缓和双方关系, 增进感情的好方法。有些事情虽然不大, 但极有可能被对方误解, 比如发信延迟或者没有及时回应等等, 遇到这样的情况, 我们最好在信重表示一下歉意, 可以说:“I hope you will excuse me for not having replied to you until today.”其他方面的致歉还可以用“We wish to crave your kind forbearance for this trouble.”或者“We tender you our apology for the inconvenience this error may have caused you.”

摘要:商务信函的写作是日常商务交流中不可缺少的, 在写作商务函件的时候, 除了要注意语言表述的简明和准确, 还要注意礼貌原则的运用, 以更好地发挥商务函件对对外贸易的积极作用。

关键词:礼貌原则,英文,商务函件,应用

参考文献

[1]、蒲宏亮。浅析商务英语信函写作中礼貌原则的运用技巧[J]。科技创新导报。2009 (19)

[2]、任春梅。浅论礼貌原则下商务英语信函的委婉表达[J]。中国商贸。2011 (02)

[3]、郎睿娟。从中西礼貌原则的异同看英文商务信函的写作[J]。商场现代化。2008 (36)

[4]、孙菲阳。浅谈英文商务信函中礼貌原则的特征及应用[J]。知识经济。2010 (13)

英文商务信函及格式 篇5

齐头式:信的所有内容都靠左,段与段之间空一行。

英文信函的习惯用法,由以下几个方面组成:

(1)信头 The heading 信头是指信纸上印刷或打印的企业名称、厂称、地址、电话号码、电报挂号、主管人姓名等。通常情况下,公司都会专门印制带有信头的信笺纸,包括发信人的姓名,地址,电话,传真等。当我们撰写传统信件时,直接使用这种信笺纸就可以。

(2)编号和日期 The reference number and the date

方便以后查信使用。Your ref: (你方编号) Our ref: (我方编号)

日期通常打印在信头的右下方位置,或在寄信人姓名和地址的下方位置。日期的英式写法是日、月、年;美式写法是月、日、年。为了避免误解,日期、年份用数字表示,月份则用英文表示,第一个字母要大写,也可用缩写。比如May,(美式写法);1,May,1998(英式写法)。

(3)信内地址 The inside address

与信封上的收信人名称和地址相同,通常打印在信纸的左侧,低于日期位置2—4行,也可在签字位置下2—4行。

书写收信单位名称时,应特别尊重对方的习惯,不能随意增删公司名称前的冠词The,也不能随意改用繁写及缩写,如Company与Co.之间不能互换,否则会被认为是不礼貌的行为。收信人地处的书写格式与信封相同。

(4)称谓 The salutation

在英文信函中,相同于“阁下”、“先生”等类礼貌性称谓,常用Dear sirs”;称呼企业,公司的妇女组织常用Madams,Ladies;无具体收信人姓名用Dear Sir or Madam 称呼收信者。

收信人是个人,就应在收信人姓名之前加称谓,如Mr.(先生),Mrs.(夫人),Miss(小姐),Hon(用于称呼市长、部长、大使等),Pres.(总经理、会长、总统等),Prof.(教授)等等。

(5)开头语The open sentences

开头语没有统一的格式,但习惯上先用客套的语句把收到对方来信的日期,主题及简单内容加以综合叙述,使对方一目了然这是答复哪一封去信的。如果是第一次通信,也可以利用开头语作必要的自我介绍,并表明目的要求。开头语一般与正文分开,自成一节,要求简单明了。

(6)正文 The body of the letter

正文的地位和内容与中文书信相同。在英文商业信函中,信文从称谓下两行起书写,行间相距一行,段落间空两行。信文以占信纸的四分之三为宜,四周留出一定空白,每一行左起第一字要取齐,右起第一字不必一律取齐,但尽量要考虑到整齐美观。

(7)结尾语The closing sentences

结尾语一般用来总结文本所谈的事项,提示对收信人的要求,如“希望来信来函定货”,“答复询问”等,另外也附加一些略带客套的语气。正文结束后,另起一段写结尾语。

(8)结束语 The complimentary close

英文商业信函的结尾是写信人的谦称,相当于“敬上”的意思。若收信者为公司,谦称则常用:

Yours Truly,Truly Yours,Yours faithfully等;若收信者为个人,则常用:Yours sincerely,Sincerely yours等。需要注意的是,结尾的谦称后必须加逗号。

(9)签署 The signature

签署由两部分组成,一是写信人的签名,二是打印出的写信人的姓名。签名用钢笔或圆珠笔写在结尾谦称下5行的位置内。尽量不要用印章,用印章的话,说明该信件并非本人亲自过目,只是通函而已,不为人重视。为易于辨认,在签名下还应打印姓名,有时还将职衔一并打印。常见的职衔有:

Chairman of the Board of directors(董事长),President或Genera1 Manager(总经理),Director(董事),Stand Director(常务董事),Manager(经理),Head of Department(职员),Manageress(女经理),

Head of a Department(处长),Section chief(科长)等。

需要指出的是,写信人如要代表企业单位或代理签署时,应在结尾谦称下打印出全部大写的企业单位名称,然后才签署,以表明该信不是以写信人个人身份写的,信由所述事宜均由企业单位负责。

(10)、附件 Enclosure

如果信中有附件,应在左下角注明Encl. 或Enc.。

例如: Encls: 2 Invoices

Enc.: 1 B/Lading

(11)其它

商业信函除上述内容外,还经常遇到以下情况: 1.写信人提请对方特定人员注意时,可在信内姓名及地址的下面或在称呼同一行之右侧说明,并加上Attn.(Attention的缩写)字祥,也可在字下划横线表示。

2.写信人为使对方迅速、正确地理解信所谈的主题与目的,常在信内列出“事由”项,记在信文的上方,并在Subject底下划横线,以提醒对方注意。

3.为便于商业信函留存查阅并分清责任,书信下部注有发信人及打字员姓名的第一个字母,位于署名下两行的左下方。

4.为说明信所附附件,便于收信人清点,可在发信人及打字员姓名的字母下行加注。

5.如信文写完后需要补充一点,或加附与信文主题无关的简短内容时,可在信文末尾附件下加附言,用P.S.(Postscript的缩写)引导。 对国外商业业务往来信函的结构格式举例如下:

日期 May,20,1998,收信人 Mach &.Welson,

地址340 Camedle Ave Kemlworttl,N.T,

注意 Attn:Mr. Jack G. Johnson

SCHARFMAN BROS. INC

CABLE ADDRESS Export一Manufacturers TELEPHONES

信头 HEMPSTS Representatives一Importers (516)292一1750

Sauco 393 FRONT STREET

TELEX: 96-7725 HEMPSTED

NEW YORK 11550

称呼 Dear Sirs。

Thank you for your interest in the MEYLAN line Of stopwatches,timing device,etc。

信文:

We are leased to inform you that we act as extensive export representatives for MEYLAN CORP。

P1ease advice if you are interested in receiving our full catalog and price list。

信尾谦称 Very truly yours,

公司名称 SCHRTFMAN BROS.INC.

签 字

写信人姓名 Michael Seharfmah

附 件 Encl. One

样信一:

1、收信人的邮箱

2、发信人的邮箱

3、写信日期:写日期时,请注意以下几点:

a. 年份要写完整,不能用03代替。

b. 月份要写英文名称,不能用数字来代替,如31/3/03 不能在正式的信件中出现。但是可

以用英文缩写,比如用Aug.代替August。

4、时间

5、主题

6、称呼

7、正文

8、结束语

9、签名

10、联系方法:

浅析商务信函翻译策略 篇6

关键词:商务信函;标准;翻译策略

一、引言

随着经济全球化的深入,越来越多企业、部门直接参与对外贸易。跨国贸易使得商务英语函电成为贸易双方传递信息、业务沟通、加强联系的重要手段。商务函电的内容直接影响业务往来双方是否决定继续商业活动、双方的经济效益,因此,准确的传递英语商务信函信息显得尤为重要。

二、商务信函翻译的标准

(一)准确传达信息

商务信函是正式、准确,且用词精确。商务信函翻译的目的是帮助收信人理解发信者的要求,以决定是否继续与发信者继续交易、合作。翻译的准确性直接影响着双方的利益,因此,译者在翻译的过程中,要保证完整的传达原文信息。例如,“no later than”, “before”, “within”等表达时间限制的词应准确的翻译,避免双方因交货、装运时间等问题而导致冲突。

(二)礼貌委婉的传达信息

商务信函礼貌委婉,且使用特定词汇与句型,使商务英语信函严肃,具有法律效力。例如,为了避免主观性,在英语商务信函中大量使用被动语态。中国向来是礼仪之邦,在中文商务信函中,大多用类似文言文以表达礼貌与严肃性。“盼赐早复”,“前肃寸函”,“唯迄今”,“尚希查明赐复”等常常出现在中文商务信函中。

三、商务信函翻译策略

虽然商务信函属于正式文本,翻译时准确传达信函信息是首要任务,任何信息的增减都将导致双方的冲突,但是由于英汉商务信函在用词、句型、格式等方面的不同,在翻译的过程中,译者需采取调整、增译、减译策略来保证信息准确的传达。

(一)重复

在商务英语信函的翻译重复来句子中的主语、宾语等保证信息的准确性。

We pleased to receive your bank cheque for $1,345 yesterday. It has been credited to your account, which is now completely clear.贵方寄来的1345美元银行支票已经收到,至感欣慰。我方已将此款计入贵方账户。贵方账目已经结清。

(二)调整结构

在英语商务信函中,大量使用被动语态、否定句来表达主观性,及发信人对收信人的尊敬,而在中文的商务信函中,更多使用主动语态和肯定句,因此在翻译的过程中,需要调整句子的结构。例如:

It is not a very old or large account, so why not sent us your check today?

这并不是一笔大数目,请即结清该账。

(三)省译

英语商务信函中,由于英语语法结构、句型完整、意思准确等要求,需要重复部分词,在翻译成中文的过程中要省去。

1、省略代词。在英语句子中,代词是不可或缺的,但是在中文中,即使省去部分代词,信息不会丢失,也不会影响信息传达的准确性,相反,能更好的满足中文商务信函的礼貌要求,在翻译英语商务信函的过程中,可将部分代词省略。例如:

As soon as I opened the package,I noticed that they are poor in material and not in accordance with your original samples.唯拆视之下,发现该批制品,工料粗劣,与前送样品,完全不符。

2、省略连词。英语中的长句结构紧凑,英语中连结词出现频率较高,为更好的传达复杂的信息,商务信函大量使用长句。中文很少用到连接词,句与句之间的逻辑关系可通过词的顺序来表达。在翻译过程,可省去部分连词。例如:

In condition that you reduce your price to some extend, we will lay the order.你方降价,我方便下订单

3、省略同义词。英语商务信函使用约定俗成的同义词来表达准确性和正式,例如:“null and void(无效)”, , “true and correct(正确)”, “final and conclusive(最终)”,在中文翻译中,要将此类同义词中的其中一个省略,仅译其中一个。

We shall be obliged if you will kindly make it a check on behalf of us and furnish and provide us the information needed. 若贵公司能代我方在这方面进行调查,提供有关信息,则不胜感激。

(四)增译

1、增加连词。在英语中,使用动词分词形式和不定式来表达目的、条件、结果,但在在翻译成中文的过程,也要根据分词和不定式在句子中的含义,增加表达目的、条件、结果的连词传达主句和从句之间关系的连词,符合中文习惯。

Having extensive connection withJapanese manufacturers as well as sufficient capital at our disposal, we are confident we can execute orders at the lowest prices.由于我公司与日本制造商有着广泛联系,加上有足够可供支配的资金,我们相信,我方能以最低廉的价格满足贵方的订货要求。

2、增加量词。英语可用名词的单复数形式来表达货物数量的多少,而中文的名词没有单复数形式,因此,在把英语名词的单复数翻译成中文时,要加上量词。例如:

We confirm supply of the prints at the prices stated in you letter and arranging for dispatch next week by passenger train. 我方确认你方来信的价格供应各种印花棉布,并正安排下周由客运列车装出。

3、增加时间。英语课通过动词的时态来表达时间,因此,在某些情况下,省略了时间,在翻译成中文时,要根据时态标明时间。

we are planning to pack the products and ship it to you as stipulated.我们已在准备将订货装箱运送。

四、结论

商务信函作为国际交流贸易的重要手段,中英商务信函语言特点的区别要求在进行商务英语信函汉译的时候,译者应根据实际情情况,采取调整句式结构、增译、减译等翻译策略,以保证准确的传达信息,避免对方因对关键信息理解错误而导致冲突。(作者单位:广西财经学院商务外国语学院)

参考文献:

[1]房玉靖,刘海燕. 2012. 商务英语翻译教程[M].北京:清华大学出版社.

[2]杨怀恩. 2007.经贸英语翻译技巧[J].北京:中国科技翻译(1)

英文商务信函 篇7

一、中西方礼貌原则的内涵

英国语言学家Leech根据英国文化的特点提出了礼貌原则的六条准则:

1. 得体准则:

尽量使他人获益最大, 受损最小。

2. 慷慨准则:

使自己受损最大, 获益最小。

3. 赞誉准则:

尽量增加对别人的赞扬, 缩小对别人的批评。

4. 谦逊准则:

尽量缩小对自己的赞扬, 夸大对自己的批评。

5. 一致准则:

尽量减少双方的分歧, 增加双方的一致。

6. 同情准则:

尽量减少对对方的反感, 增加对对方的同情。

Leech的礼貌原则是基于英国的文化特征提出的, 虽然具有一定的普遍性, 但不同民族仍有其文化的特殊性。因此, 顾曰国先生根据汉语言文化特征上总结出中国式的礼貌准则:

(1) 贬己尊人准则:

指谓自己或与自己相关的事时要“贬”, 指谓听者或与听者相关的事时要“尊”。

(2) 称呼准则:

既用适当的称呼问候对方。体现中国传统的“上下、长幼, 贵贱”的社会关系。

(3) 文雅准则:

选用雅言, 禁用秽语, 多用委婉语, 少用直言。

(4) 求同准则:

既交际双方尽量减少分歧, 力求和谐一致, 满足对方的要求。

(5) 德、言、行准则:

既在行为动机上, 尽量减少他人付出的代价, 增加他人的益处;在言辞上, 尽量夸大别人给自己的好处, 缩小自己付出的代价。

二、中西方礼貌原则的异同

比较中西礼貌原则不难发现其中多数准则本质是一致的, 但其适用的广度和程度上又有所不同。如:

1.得体、慷慨准则和德言行准则都强调最大程度的考虑对方的利益, 使对方获益。

2.赞誉准则要求对别人多赞扬少批评, 谦逊准则要求对自己要多批评少赞扬。其实这与贬己尊人的准则是统一的, 都体现了对人和对己的态度。但是中国人更注重谦逊准则, 听到别人的赞美后常说“哪里, 哪里”;而西方人则更直接些, 以一句“T h a n k you”坦然接受赞美。

3.同情准则要求减少与对方的对立, 充分考虑对方感情, 不引起对方反感。这就说明在某些场合应用语委婉, 少用直言, 即遵守雅言准则。

4.一致准则和求同准则都要求在交际中, 尽量和别人一致减少分歧。但大多数时候, 中国人表达更含蓄些, 通常先赞美对方一番, 再表达不同意见;而西方人往往会直接表达自己的看法。

5.称呼准则是西方礼貌准则中没有的。因为中国文化中非常重视长幼尊卑, 不同家庭成员、社会群体中的称呼十分复杂。而在追求平等的英国, 称呼的使用一般较模糊, 对长辈和上级都可直呼其名。

理解中西方礼貌原则的异同是非常必要的, 不仅是日常的外贸往来, 就商务英文信函的写作而言, 更能起到减少语用失误, 掌握写作要领的作用。

三、礼貌原则在商务英文信函的运用

1. 表述方式上使用你式写法:

你式写法充分体现对方的利益和需求, 故应尽量使用“you, your, yours”而不是“we, our, ours”。比较以下两句 (1) 明显比 (2) 更能打动对方:

(1) You’ll be able to accept our quote.

(2) We can make you accept our quote.

2. 在词汇的选择上:

根据得体准则, 应避免直接使用sorry、cannot、unable等含有强烈否定意义的词, 以减少对方的损失及负面消息给对方情绪的影响。以下句为例:

(1) Sorry, I have sent you the wrong sample.

(2) Excuse me for sending you the wrong sample.

(2) 的表达不但委婉, 而且让对方把注意力从你的失误转移到道歉上来, 这样的道歉既有效又照顾了对方情绪。相反, 向对方表示感谢和赞扬时, 根据赞誉准则就应使用具体的词汇, 增加别人的受益。如夸奖别人的谈话精彩时, 用witty、incisive就比笼统的good更让人受用。

3. 在语气上:

友好的语气有助于建立良好的关系、增进友情, 所以在语气上多用肯定, 少用否定, 而且诚恳委婉力求和气。如:

(1) We can’t deliver the goods until Oct 3.则应改为:

(2) We will deliver the goods on Oct 3.

4. 在句式上:

(1) 使用请求式:

这种句式是英语中一种常见的礼貌用语, 它充分体现说话者对对方的尊重, 且避免了语句的生硬和给对方造成的强迫感。如:

①Please ship us your goods in July.

②Would you please ship us your goods in July?

(2) 使用被动语态:

在表述消极信息时, 由于主动语态强调动作的发出者, 这种语态会加重责备的语气, 使别人的面子受损。所以这时用被动语态更合适些。如:

①You damaged the case.

②The case was found to be damaged.

(3) 正确使用if引导的从句:

因为if可以在表示请求时使语气更委婉, 如①;但有时却表示一种疑问, 使对方感到自己受到怀疑, 如②。

①We’d appreciate it very much if you…

②If what you said is true, we…

四、结束语

礼貌原则是一封商务英文信函的基础, 要想写好商务信函, 不仅要具体情况具体对待, 还要将礼貌原则与其他因素结合, 如:得体性、准确性和简洁性等, 只有这样才能最终使商务信函成为建立和延续商务联系的有效途径。

参考文献

[1]顾曰国:礼貌、语用和文化[J].外语教学与研究, 1992, 4

英文商务信函 篇8

关键词:体裁,体裁教学法,英语商务信函,促销信

English business letter writing has generally been considered as one of the essential activities in business communication.Different from other writing, English business letter has high structural formation, language features and specific communicative purposes.However, the traditional teaching is incapable of reaching a satisfactory result in English business writing.In most Chinese colleges, more emphasis will be laid on the analysis and correction of vocabulary, sentence structure and grammar instead of conducting students from the perspective of the discourse of the English business letter.Therefore, the genre-based teaching approach is introduced in English business letter writing.

Genre approach is relatively a new concept which mainly studies linguistic variations, communicative purposes and linguistic strategies.Emerging in 1980s, its purpose is to instruct students that different discourses have different genres which convey different discourse structures and communicative purposes.It also hammers at leading students to get hold of the schematic structure of a discourse, and thus comprehend the process of constructing a discourse in a certain genre or context.

In the following chapters, the author will further introduce the related literature on genre-based teaching approach and English business letter, also the application of genre-based teaching approach on English business letter will be touched upon.

1 Genre-based Teaching Approach

Genre-based teaching approach, having communicative purpose as its foundation, was originated in 1980s.By applying the genre theory and genre analysis to the classroom and developing teaching activities according to the text, this approach is mainly on the basis of the genre analysis.According to different theoretical and pedagogical orientations, Hyon (1996) first distinguished three schools in this area, they are:English for Specific Purpose (ESP) , New Rhetoric and Australian School.

1.1 English for specific purpose

Researchers in ESP regard genre as a tool to analyze and teach the non-native speakers with the spoken and written language in academic and professional settings (Bhatia, 1993;Flowerdrew, 1993;Gosden, 1992;Hopkins&Dudley-Evans, 1998) .They also take genres as oral and written text types which are defined by their features and their communicative purposes in social context.

In their analyses of texts, a number of ESP scholars emphasize more on the formal characteristics of genres instead of on the specialized functions of texts and their social contexts.Many researchers have used move analyses to describe discourse structure of certain genres such as experimental research papers (Swales, 1981, 1990a) .Some have paid more attention on such grammatical features as verb tense and passive voice.

1.2 New rhetoric school

Another school is New Rhetoric which is supported by those who work on writing studies, rhetoric and professional writing in North America.Unlike ESP, researchers in New Rhetoric School have focused more on the contexts, the social purposes and the realization of the genres in these situations (Bazerman, 1988) .According to Bazerman, if a person understand more about the fundamental assumptions and aims of the community, he will be better at evaluating whether the rhetorical approaches to the task are appropriate and effective.Compared with the other two schools, New Rhetoric advocates have been concerned more with the role of genre theory in helping college students acquaint the social functions of genres and the context in which these genres are used (秦秀白, 2000) .

1.3 Australian school

Different from ESP and New Rhetoric researchers, Australian school favorers focus more on such non-professional texts as primary and secondary school genres instead of on academic and professional writing.Scholars in this area have developed"curriculum genre"which means teacher and students shall work through a sequence of stages in order to achieve a particular goal.

In summary, ESP, New Rhetoric, and systemic functional scholarship offer different approaches to defining and analyzing spoken and written genres.And these different theoretical perspectives will be reflected in the genre-based teaching applications developed in the following section.

2 Studies on English Business Letter

2.1 Introduction to English business letter

Business English is a combination of English and business knowledge which includes finance, law, advertisement, secretary and so on.Since it involves different fields of knowledge and different styles of writing, it is not an easy thing for us to teach and learn.Generally speaking, business letter is to receive and transmit business information, to give or accept an offer, and to address business affairs, etc..

2.2 Previous Approaches to Business Letter Writing

2.2.1. The product approach

The product approach was first used with the emphasis on the form, grammar and syntax (Nordin, 2006) .Students being instructed with the product approach are required to complete the writing task through stimulating a provided pattern.Product approach generally pays more attention on the accuracy of language points used in written production rather than on the process of writing, which overlooks the writing processes and in favor of the process approach.

2.2.2. The process approach

In the 70s, the process approach was introduced to help students to write in stages.Unlike the product approach, process approach focuses on a process sequence of prewriting, drafting, evaluating and revising.However, the process approach has also received much criticism in recent years.Atkinson (2003) expresses his disagreement by pointing out that it fail to consider the social and cultural factors.Xuan (2013) also indicates that the biggest limitation of process approach is its neglection of the variation of the genres in different texts.

Consequently, a new approach in English writing is needed to put forward and promote, and genre-based approach is such an appropriate approach which improves the weakness of the two approaches.

3 The Application of Genre-based Teaching Ap-proach to English Business Letter

In light of the theory of genre analysis and recent pedagogic practice of genre approach, the author attempts to design a genrebased model in the teaching of English business letter writing by taking sales promotion letter as an example.

3.1 Self-directed analysis and learning stage

This stage is designed to help students have a initial understanding of sales promotion letters.There are two steps in this stage.First, students are required to finish an assignment at the beginning of the class.After finishing the assignment, the students will have a model study comparing with the compositions they just write.Meanwhile, teacher, giving proper guidelines, will try to encourage students to ponder over the following questions:

1) What is sales promotion letter?

2) What is the communicative purpose of the promotion letter?

3) What is the structure of the promotion letter?

In this stage, students will have a more impressive understanding on the structure and will thus find out what their shortages are when composing a sales promotion letter.

3.2 In-depth analysis stage

This stage is designed to confirm the answers of the questions in the first stage and give students a deeper analysis of language and style of the genre.This stage will be realized by the following steps.

Step one:What is sales promotion letter and what is its communicative purpose?

As a sub-category of business letters, sales promotion letter refers to“an unsolicited letters addressed to a selected group of prospective customers in order to persuade them to buy a product or service” (Bhatia, 1993) .From the definition we know that sales promotion letters is persuasive, in this sense.It aims to elicit a specific response from its readers.

Step two:What is the structure of the promotion letter?

In this step, a basic move structure of sales promotion letter will be instructed to the students, in order to establish a basic framework in students’mind, together with the analysis of the sample sales promotion letter.

Bhatia argues the move structure of sales promotion letter is as follows Table 1 (Bhatia, 1993) .

Based on Table 1, the teacher will further analyze the move structure of the model composition, aiming to help students understand the structure of the letter.

Next the teacher will further analyze in detail how the moves achieve the communicative purpose in the sales promotion letter.

Step Three:Analyze the lexical-grammatical features of sales promotion letter

1) Use of the concise and positive words

For the feature of customer-targeted, the words in sales promotion letter should be correct and concise so as to introduce and attract the prospective customers.

2) Use of compound modifiers

As for arousing customers’attention and keep conciseness at the same time, there are more modifiers putting before the noun, for the reason of expressing more essential information with structural simplicity.

3) Use of positive voice

In sales promotion letter, more positive voice sentences are used rather than passive ones.This is supposed to be related to the psychology of customers, for more positive voice sentences will making them feel positive and thus actively buy the good or service.

4) Use of present tense and present perfect tense

Present tense sentence indicates the usualness and habituation of the action, the present state and even the truth.In sales promotion letter, present tense is usually used to imply the durability and immutability of the goods or services.

Step Four:Analyze cohesive device

As for the fluency of the letter, the writer should apply come kinds of cohesive devices to achieve the coherence.The cohesive device mainly used includes reference, substitution, ellipsis and conjunction. (Haliday&Hasan, 1976)

3.3 Imitative Writing Stage

This stage is designed to help students put what they’ve learned into practice and thus be familiar with the generic structure and language of genre.In this stage, three steps are devised and arranged;they are prewriting, writing and revision.

4 Conclusion

In the above chapters, the thesis analyzes the application of genre-based approach in teaching English business letter by giving specific stages and steps in teaching English business letter.When applying genre approach to English business letter teaching, students will not only write in accordance with certain situation, but also can learn both the knowledge about language and the writing skills by means of the procedures mentioned above.The author hopes that the research could shed some light and offer guidance to English teachers and students.

参考文献

[1]Hyon S.Genre in three traditions:implication for ESL[J].TESOL Quarterly, 1996, 30 (4) , 693-722.

[2]Bhatia V K.Analyzing Genre:Language Use in Professional Settings[M].London:Longman, 1993.

[3]Flowerdew J.An educational, or process, approach to the teaching of professional genres[J].ELT Journal, 1993, 47:305-316.

[4]Gosden H.Discourse functions of marked theme in scientific research articles[J].English for Specific Purposes, 1992, 11:207-224.

[5]Hopkins A, Dudley-Evans T.A genre-based investigation of the discussion sections in articles and dissertations[J].English for Specific Purposes, 1988, 7:113—121.

[6]Swales, J.M.Aspects of article introductions (Aston ESP Research Report 1) [R].Birmingham, England:University of Aston in Birmingham, Language Studies Unit.1981.

[7]Bazerman C.Shaping Writing Knowledge:The Genre and Activity of the Experimental Article in Science[M].Madison:University of Wisconsin Press, 1998.

[8]秦秀白.体裁教学法评述[J].外语教学与研究, 2000, 32 (1) :42-46.

[9]Nordin S M.Mohammad N B.The best of two approaches:process/genre-based approach to teaching writing[J].The English Teacher, 2006, 35 (6) :75-85.

[10]宣小菁, 金黎明.浅谈商务英语专业学生写作课中题材教学法[J].海外英语, 2012 (12) :94-95.

英语商务信函的文体特征 篇9

1 英语商务信函的文体特征

徐有志 (1992) 按照话语基调将语言分为正式体和非正式体 (个人基调) 。英语商务信函是一种公文文体, 属于前者。因此, 对商务信函的写作要求就比较严格, 它必须坚持“公事公办” (businesslike) 的写作标准。而“时间就是金钱”这一商界行话已体现出讲求实效的商家们对时间与效率的高度重视。因此, 商务信函还必须同时做到语言简洁、语义明确。此外, 由于商务信函的措辞是否得体、语气是否恰当会直接影响公司的商务形象, 所以, 商务信函写作还十分注重礼貌原则。以下就从结构固定、用词正式、语言简洁、语义明确、语气礼貌这五个方面展开论述。

1.1 结构固定

商务英语信函的结构比较固定, 通常包括下列项目:

·信头 (Letter Head) :包括发信人的公司名称、地址、电话号码或传真号码。这些条目通常已经印刷在信笺的左上方;

·写信日期 (Date) ;

·收信人的姓名、职务、收信人的公司名称以及公司的地址 (Inside Name and Address) ;

·信头主题词 (Subject Line) ;

·称呼语 (Salutation) :英语商务信函普遍使用“Dear Sir (s) ”或“Dear Madam (s) ”。

·如果知道对方的姓氏和职衔, 可以用Mr.或Ms加姓氏或职衔加姓氏;

·信的正文 (Body) ;

·结尾 (Closing) :常用Sincerely或Sincerely yours。如果跟对方较熟悉, 还可以使用Cordially;

·署名 (Signature) :署名应由写信人亲手签, 并在署名下用电脑打出署名人的姓名和职务 (Name and Title) 。

此外, 英语商务信函有时还包括副本抄送 (Carbon Copy/cc.) 、附件 (Enclosure/Enc.) 和附笔 (Postscript/P.S) 这几个部分。

1.2 用词正式

英语商务信函常用比较正式的词汇, 少用不正式的口语体词汇。以下用表格举例说明:

如表1所示。

1.3 语言简洁

商场如战场。没有商家愿意把时间浪费在阅读选词陈腐生涩难懂的信函上。因此, 商务信函在选词上非常注意以下几点。

(1) 选用通俗易懂的短词, 少用长词。如表2。

(2) 选用常用词, 不用技术或文学语言。如表3。

(3) 用单词代替短语。

如用now代替at the present time, 用if代替in th e e vent th at, 用so on代替i n the near future等。英语商务信函在注意选词简洁的同时还注意避免使用冗长的语句。大多数英语商务信函中的句子, 其平均长度为20个词左右, 且多为简单句, 常删去不必要的单词。如以下下划线的词常为删去的词:relatively cheaper, true facts, a r e a l d a n g e r, u su a l p r a c t i c e, w e a t h e r conditions, overall length, 等等。

1.4 语义明确

英语商务信函中的语句在传达商务信息时应该做到语义明确, 不可摸棱两可, 以引起贸易伙伴的误解。因此, 英语商务信函在句型、段落的组织方面有如下几个特点。

(1) 大量使用陈述句, 使意思陈述得非常明白。

(2) 为了鼓动对方赶快订购信函中所推销的商品, 较多地使用祈使句。如。

Let us show you how…

Telephone us on…

Call at our showroom and see fo yourself how…

(3) 多用完全句, 少用省略句, 以避免造成对方因猜测不当而造成的误解。

(4) 为了避免含糊和混乱, 需正确使用人称代词, 如:

We will need to calculate the number of residents in each road.

“我们”是指供货商还是用户, 这句话的语义非常含糊, 很容易成为一个法律问题。如果此时换成It will be your responsibility to calculate the number of residents in each road, 语义就十分明晰了。

(5) 商务信函的段落较短, 语句衔接紧密, 逻辑性、概括性强, 这便于对方从语篇的角度对语义进行全面的理解。

1.5 语气礼貌

商务信函是一种具有特殊功能的文章。信函双方是商务交易活动中的买卖双方或银行、保险、各种代理等中介机构。信函往来的目的是顺利地推进各种商务活动。现代商务活动的交易双方地位都是平等的, 所以商务信函的写作应基于一种相互有礼、相互尊重的原则。Grice (1975:45) 曾提出, 任何有意义的言语交际过程中, 交谈双方存在着一种默契, 一条双方都必须遵守的原则, 即合作原则。只有双方遵守了合作原则, 才能确保有意义交际的顺利开展。难以想象如果在合作中缺少应有的礼貌还能将合作顺利地推展下去。所以, 商务信函中运用礼貌的写作语气非常重要, 它最能体现商家的诚信形象。信函写作者在行文时应注意以下三个方面:

(1) 采用“收信人态度 (you-attitude) ”的行文风格。

在商务信函中少用第一人称作主语多用第二人称或第二人称物主代词加名词作主语, 如:

You are requested to settle this account on the 15th of this month.

You are expected to post a cheque to us.

Your prompt attention to this matter would be appreciated.

(2) 经常用被动语态, 如:

We were forced to cancel the contract.

It has come to our notice that license T/445 has not been renewed.

(3) 为了语气婉转, 还经常运用以it为形式主语的句型, 如:

It is with much regret that we have to tell you of our decision to wind up thec om p a ny.

It is a great pleasure to hear from y ou th at yo u h a ve m a rk e te d t he ne wp r o d u c t.

2 结语

综上所述, 英语商务信函有其独特的文体特征:结构固定、用词正式、语言简洁、语义明确、语气礼貌。熟悉和掌握这些特征有利于我们提高商务信函的写作水平, 更好地发挥商务信函的交际功能, 促进商务活动双方的交流, 从而获得最大的经济效益和社会效益。

摘要:随着我国经济建设的快速发展, 越来越多的商家投入到国际商务活动中。因此, 英语商务信函的应用也越来越广泛。本文从文体学的角度具体分析了英语商务信函应具备的文体特征, 以帮助商家成功进行商贸业务往来。

关键词:商务信函,文体特征

参考文献

[1]catford, J.C.A Linguistic Theory of Translation[M].London:Oxford Univer-sity Press, 1965.

[2]Gregory, M.&S.Carroll.Language and Situation:Language Varieties and their Social Context[M]London:Routledge&Kegan Paul Ltd, 1978.

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[5]温赖特.英语商业信函写作指南[M].北京:商务印书馆国际有限公司, 1996.

[6]许小平.国际商务英语写作[M].武昌:华中理工大学出版社, 2000.

商务信函的语用特征分析 篇10

维索尔伦的语用学综观认为,人们不应该把语用学仅视为语言学的一个分支学科来研究和探讨语言使用的问题,而应该让它致力于语言使用各种相关因素的综合研究。帕雷特(Parret 1983:3)等把语用学看做“把语言重建为一种交际性、主体间性及社会现象的科学”。语用学的研究内容大致包括有关以下方面的探索:(1)指称;(2)会话含义;(3)预设;(4)言语行为;(5)会话分析及微观上的合作原则、礼貌原则;(6)关联理论;(7)语用学综观等。而商务英语本身就是一种建立在交际基础上进行的一种科学,是一种社会功能的变体,属于专门用途英语中的一种。语用学所关心的是说话人(或写作者)所传递的和听话人(或读者)所解释的意义(Yule,G.1996,3)。而当今我们正处于商务繁荣的时代,人们不但关注商务英语的翻译、教学等实践研究,而且也开始关注商务英语这种特殊用途英语的独特性语言特点。本文结合语用学的相关理论,从言语行为理论、礼貌原则和关联理论三个角度对商务英语的商务信函进行分析和探讨。

一、言语行为理论与商务英语

英国语言学家奥斯汀提出的言语行为理论是普遍语用学的语言学基础。他提出了言语行为的三分说:“表达性言语行为”、“施为性言语行为”和“成事性言语行为”。也就是说话语实施的言语行为分成三种:(1)以言指事行为,即用正确的语法说出有意义的话语的行为。(2)以言行事行为,即说话人在说出某个话语时所具有的言外之意的行为。(3)以言成事行为,即听话人在某个言语行为实施之后所受到的影响的行为。言语行为理论的基本主张归结为一句话:“说话就是做事”(Austin1962)。美国语言哲学家塞尔发展了奥斯汀的言语行为理论,并提出了间接言语行为的概念。一些话语有多种功能,一种行为可以用另一种方式施事:即“间接”言语行为。间接言语行为分为规约性和非规约性两种。规约性间接言语行为是指按照语言使用者长期使用语言的习惯来推断间接的“言外之意”;非规约性间接言语行为则主要依靠交际双方共知的语言信息和所处的特定语境来推断其“言外之意”。

We regret to inform you that we are not in a position to cover your need for the said goods.Once our supplies are replenished,we shall be only too pleased to revert to this matter.

很显然这句话属于非常规性间接言语行为句。它更多地取决于互知的背景信息,取决于环境才能推导出其一言行事的用意。其表面上的施为用意为“陈述”遗憾,但是实际表示“拒绝”的非字面施为用意。

If you are prepare to increase your discount to 20%for the complete stock,we are willing to buy.

For your information,some parcels from Hongkong have been sold here at a much lower price.We hope you will consider our counter-offer favourably and let us have your acceptance by telex.

言外之意就是说Once you open up a market here,you would have every advantage of developing a beneficial trade inthe city.用商量的口气希望对方给予20%的折扣,这样我方可以购买这个库存的产品。然后举例子说香港卖方给我方更加优惠的销售价格,以期对方对我们的还盘进行更加慎重和周全的考虑。

二、礼貌原则与商务英语

在语用学领域中,礼貌原则通常是指布朗与列文森的“面子理论”和利奇的“礼貌原则”。面子理论有积极面子和消极面子之分。消极面子是指不希望别人强加自己,自己的行为不受别人的干涉、阻碍。积极的面子是指希望得到别人的赞同和喜爱。利奇礼貌原则包含六条准则:得体准则、宽容准则、谦虚准则、赞扬准则、赞同准则、同情准则。

在商务信函和商务交往中,礼貌原则更应得到淋漓尽致的体现。真诚地称赞、赞美对方,会为贸易双方首先赢得情感和思想的胜利,消除陌生和距离感。同样,一封言辞恳切、彬彬有礼的书信也可以使合作方产生愉悦的心情,由此可以带来更大的商机。如以下一封关于(counter-offer)还盘的信函:

Thank you for your letter of June 25 offering us your“D.D.”brand raincoats.

To be candid with you,we like your raincoats which has good quality and fine workmanship,but your prices appear to be on the high side as compared with those of other makes.It is understood that to accept the prices you quoted would leaves us little or no margin of profit on our sales.As you know Kuwait is a developing country;Its principal demand is for articles in the medium price range.

We would,therefore,suggest that you make some allowance,say 10%on your quoted prices so as to enable us to introduce your products to your customers.If,however,you cannot do so,then we shall have no alternative but to leave the business as it is.

首先在信函开头感谢对方7月25报盘,这是还盘信函中必须要有的句子,体现了得体准则。第二段中提到虽然我方喜欢你方提供的品质优良、工艺精湛的样品,这首先体现了赞扬准则(减少对他人的贬降,增大对他人的赞誉);可是由于价格相比其他公司偏高,同时提到科威特是一个发展中国家,可以接受的是中等价位的商品。这样陈述事实就是在遵守谦虚准则的前提下以期获得对方的宽容和同情。第三段中提到我方建议———是否能在你方报价的基础上给予10%的折扣。这体现了赞同准则(减少对他人的反感,增大对他人的同情)。最后用到if,however和alternative等一些比较委婉的词汇表明公司态度:中肯却不失水准。

三、关联理论与商务英语

关联理论认为,语言的交际过程是一种认知推理的“互明”过程。交际双方的配合得益于一个最佳的认知模式———关联性。交际受体要理解交际者的真实意图,就要寻找到话语和语境之间的最佳关联,达到交际的成功。人类认知往往以最大关联为取向,但在实际交际过程中我们只能期待产生一个最佳关联。最佳关联指的是受话者在理解话语时用尽可能小的认知努力来获得足够的语境效果,并以人类认知交际为取向。要取得最佳关联,必须获得足够的语境效果。同样对于商务英语信函的学习也是如此,以最小的认知努力来获得最大的语境效果,以期能够更好地为下一步的商务洽谈做好准备。

We except to find a good market for these cottons and hope to place further and larger orders with you in the near future.

Our usual terms of payment are cash against documents and we hope they will be acceptable to you.Meanwhile should you wish to make inquiries concerning our financial standing.You may refer to our bank.

既然交际受体要理解交际者的真实意图,就要寻找到话语和语境之间的最佳关联,那么从第一句话我们可以推断出买方对产品非常满意并且希望未来会有大的订单出现。从而我们可以获得最大的语境效果—交易双方都很满意并有继续合作的潜意识,买方的潜台词就是,如果你方能给我方更大的优惠的话,合作会更加长远。这个语境效果就要依靠卖方自己去揣度。

然后说到付款一贯是凭单付款cash against documents,这种方式显然对买方有利。紧接着用到we hope they will be acceptable to you,虽然用委婉的语气像是在询问,但其实是一种常用的商务谈判手段。因为后边紧接着提到了希望卖方通过银行对自己做个资讯调查。这样可以推断出其中的最佳关联———凭单付款和资讯调查,目的是要创设对方对自己提出的付款方式认可的语境效果。

四、结语

以上结合语用学的相关理论,从言语行为理论、礼貌原则和关联理论三个角度对商务英语的商务信函进行分析和探讨,从而可以得出结论:语用学为商务英语中商务信函及写作具有不可忽视的作用,语用学的相关理论可以运用到英语教学的实践中。

摘要:商务语言作为一种实用文体,其语言特点正为人们所注意和研究。本文结合语用学的相关理论,从言语行为理论、礼貌原则和关联理论三个角度对商务英语的应用文体进行分析和探讨。

关键词:商务英语,言语行为理论,礼貌原则,关联理论

参考文献

[1]甘鸿.外经贸英语函电[M].上海科学技术文献出版社,2004,8.

[2]曾文雄.语用学翻译研究[M].武汉大学出版社,2006,4.

[3]胡壮麟.语言学教程(修订版)[M].北京大学出版社,2001,7.

英语商务信函应遵循的写作原则 篇11

[关键词] 商务信函;写作;原则

【中图分类号】 H05 【文献标识码】 A 【文章编号】 1007-4244(2013)12-303-1

21世纪是经济日益全球化的世纪,中国与世界各国的交往日益频繁,国际贸易事业发展迅猛。但随着科学技术的发展,国际间的贸易往来更多地使用传真与电子邮件来传递商务信函。因而,英语商务信函成为一种便宜而有效的沟通媒介。英语商务信函是一种最常见的商业联系媒介,它是一种通过电脑或者打字机“书信”来完成的人际间交往。实际上商务信函是一种“推销”函,写信人总是在推销着什么,可能是一种产品、一项服务、一项专利、一个观念,甚至是推销自己或树立自己所在公司的形象等。

一、礼貌原则(courteousness)

在商务信函写作中乃至所有商务活动中,礼貌都发挥着重大的调节作用。它是有效的自我推荐名片,有助于老关系的加强和新关系的建立。礼貌意味着在信函中非常巧妙的表示出诚挚的友情,诚挚的感谢,真诚的礼貌,体贴的理解和由衷的尊重。

商业信件要简洁明了,既要注意信件的措词得体,又要符合商业信件礼貌周到的原则。写信时要注意礼节,不要盛气凌人,避免出现命令或粗鲁等不恰当的口吻。写信过程中除了多使用诸如please;your kind inquiry;I would appreciate it if you would等短语外,还需做到以下几点:语气要真诚、善解人意以及考虑周全;避免使用伤害、贬低的短语,如:your neglectful attitude;impatience;we deny your claim 等;避免使用含有性别歧视的词语,如 businessman;chairman 等。

二、准确原则(correctness)

准确表达不仅仅指英语语法、标点符号和拼写层面,更重要的是书信的内容要叙述正确,买卖双方的权利、义务、违约条款、付款方式、重要数字等信息都属于准确表达的范围。一封表达准确的商务信函,不仅能够促使商务活动的有效进行,还能够避免不必要的纠纷。

三、完整原则(completeness)

商务信函的内容力求完整,需回答来信所提出的所有问题和要求,或是包括写信人希望收信人做出积极反映的一切问题及情况(when、where、who、what、how )。在书写商务信函时,应该对信函的内容做到心中有数,避免一件事分多次书信传递给对方。一封商务信函只有包含了所有必要信息才能达到它的理想效果,不完整的信函不仅有失礼貌而且会令收信人对你公司产生不好的印象。

四、清楚原则(clarity)

清楚是商务英语信函写作最重要的原则。一封含糊不清、辞不达意的书信会引起误会与歧义,造成贸易损失,甚至会引发诉讼纠纷。清楚表达应注意选择正确、简练的词,避免使用一些含糊不清、模棱两可的词,条理清晰,表达准确。一般地,商务信函的撰写者必须将自己的意思清晰地表达出来,以便对方准确理解。

五、简洁原则(conciseness)

简洁指的是信函内容完整,语言简单而不失清楚,用最少的语言表达最为丰富的内容。简洁被视为商务信函写信的第一要义。故撰写商业信件时要摒弃传统信函中的陈词滥调和套话,采用简洁、直接的句式进行写作,简明扼要,精炼丰富,长话短说,避免罗嗦,用尽可能少的简单的文字,完整清楚地表达需要表达的意思。

六、具体原则(concreteness)

信函应该写得具体,明确,而不能含糊,抽象,笼统。尤其像报盘,询问贸易条款这类需要具体答复的信函,就更加强调写作时的具体。这样会使所表达的内容准确而又生动,使交流的内容更加清楚,更有助于加快事务的进程。例如,商品的某些质量和特征要用准确的数字,避免使用“长”,“短”,“好”这样的词语。时间用年月日标明,必要时甚至要注明小时,分钟,避免使用诸如“昨天”“下个月”“马上”等表达用语。

七、体贴原则(consideration)

體贴原则强调对方的情况而非我方情况,要体现一种为他人考虑、多体谅对方心情和处境的态度。当撰写商务英语文书时,要站在对方的立场去考虑他们的各种不同的愿望,要求,兴趣和困难,充分理解对方的心情、处境,寻找一种最好的方式将信息传递给对方。

八、结论

商务信函是买卖双方索取、传递信息,处理贸易活动中相关事宜、沟通联络感情的重要方式,同时也体现着一个公司或机构的商务形象。商务信函在商务活动中起着沟通桥梁的作用,它能够具体而快捷地传递双方各类相关商务信息,节约双方的时间,从而实现商务活动的便捷与高效。因此,商务信函对内容、形式、措辞等各方面都有要求。在日常的商务活动中,撰写商务信函时,应遵循商务信函写作的基本原则,有效传递信息,从而使商务信函更有利于双方的沟通合作。

参考文献:

[1]程润明.国际贸易交际技巧[M].上海:上海外语教育出版社,1994.

[2]张燕彬.国际商务礼仪[M].沈阳:辽宁教育出版社,2001.

[3]祈寿华.新世纪实用英语交际指南(旅美)[M].上海:上海外语出版社,2003.

[4]曹菱.商务英语信函[M].北京:外语教学与研究出版社,2007.

现代采购信函的商务写作技巧 篇12

改革开放以来,特别是加入世界贸易组织以后,我国与世界各国的经济交往日益频繁,对外经济合作日渐加强。因此,培养一大批既熟练掌握外语,又通晓国际商务知识,并善于进行跨文化交际的国际商务人才已成当务之急。在国际商务人员必备的诸多技能中,商务信函写作是其中一项重要的技能,也是商务活动得以顺利开展的重要保证。一封好的商务信函(busi nes s letter)能够在促进贸易、增进友谊和获得完全理解方面起到非常重要的作用。只有完美传达信息的信函才是完美的信函。因此,在写作时严格遵守并且灵活运用7“C”原则是必不可少的:Consideration(体谅)、Correctness(正确)、Complet e n e s s(完整)、Co n c r et e n e s s(具体)、Conciseness(简洁)、Clarity(清楚)、Courtesy(礼貌)。这七个原则是商务信函写作最基本的指导原则。同时,在商务信函的写作中,要掌握一定的写作技巧,才能顺利完成商务信息的交流。

2 现代采购信函的特点

2.1 现代采购信函应该是“索取函”

它索取的可能是一种产品,一项服务,一项专利,一个观念……因此,在写作时候,要牢记你是在与读者进行交谈。这种交谈成功与否,你的目的是否实现,关键取决于商务信函中信息的表达方式和内容。如何把你的思想,清晰、准确地表达给“读者”,产生情感上的共鸣是商务信函的首要任务。

2.2 现代采购商务信函的写作要重点突出,简明扼要

“时间就是金钱,效率就是生命”,商务信函要尽可能地避免使用花哨、华丽的词藻。因此,商务信函的写作,首先,要把握简洁、扼要的特点。其次,掌握好简洁的表达内容与有效率的分寸。如果在书写商务信函时,开头就唐突地说出交易需求,也会显得冒昧而令对方不明所以。最后,好的商务信函还应体现以下特点:易读易懂,语气真诚友好、客气,评阅简短、朴实,自然或生动、有趣、有吸引力,内容清晰、准确、具体行文正确、完整、不花哨。

3 现代采购信函的写作原则

3.1 体谅

体谅对发信人和收信人之间保持进一步联系至关重要。发信人应尽可能从收信人的立场来考虑问题,在分析对方会如何理解信息的基础上,提供其所需要的立场来考虑问题,在分析对方会如何理解信息的基础上,提供其所需要的信息。简言之,体谅就是要做到为对方着想,移情于对方,在人性层面上来理解对方。此外,体谅意味着要坚持用肯定而非否定的态度,要强调“你”的态度而不是“我”的或“我们”的态度。

3.2 正确

现代商务信函必须写的正确,因为其牵涉到双方的权利和义务,而且它还是商业单据的凭证。正确的商务信函不仅表现为语法恰当、标点符号和词汇拼写正确,还要求叙述正确、提供的事实和数字无误、写作格式规范、技巧运用恰当以及商业术语正确。

3.3 完整

现代商务信函必须力求完整,要包括写信人希望收信人作出积极反应的一切情况,或是回答来信所提出的全部问题和要求。一封完整的现代商务信函不仅可能会带来预期的结果,还可能建立起更好的商务关系。

3.4 具体

现代商务信函必须写得生动、具体和明确,要避免采用模糊、大概和抽象的词语和语句。在写现代商务信函的过程中,应尽量运用具体的事实和数字,选择形象的及通过想象所创造的字和词语,一般使用主动语态来陈述内容。

3.5 简洁

所谓简洁,就是指要言简意赅地表达所需表达的意思,同时又无损于书信的完整和礼貌。在书写英文现代商务信函时,要摒弃那些陈旧的商业术语,做到简洁明了。通过去掉不必要的词和冗长的句子,保留有效、简洁的事实信息,就可把最重要的信息呈现给对方。

3.6 清楚

采购商务信函应使读者一目了然,没有晦涩难懂或容易产生误会之处。在确定了所要写的内容后,选择使用简短、熟悉和口语化的词语,构建简单、有效的句子和段落来清楚地表达目的,避免使用产生歧异或意义不明确的词汇。如有需要,可以使用样例、插图以及其他在视觉上有助于理解的东西。

3.7 礼貌

礼貌在采购商务信函中有其特殊而丰富的内涵。一封礼貌的信函可以加深与目前客户的业务关系,也有助于结交新的业务伙伴。在现代商务信函的写作过程中,及时是礼貌之首。此外,在撰写商务信函时,应避免使用可能激怒、伤害对方的言词或语气,语调上要尽可能站在客户的立场上,考虑到对方的愿望和背景,做到互惠互利。

4 现代采购信函的写作技巧

4.1 多使用主动语态

主动语态能够更自然和准确地表达写信人的本意,收信人会觉得更生动,并有一种面对面谈话的亲切感。

以下样函采用过多被动句式,显得软弱乏味:Pleas ebe advised that the L/C should be opened by the end of May.Your prompt reply would be highly appreciated.

如果改成主动语态,就能营造出友善和灵活的气氛:Could you please open the L/C by the end of May?Thanks.

4.2 使用浅白、通俗易懂的词汇,避免使用艰深晦涩的词汇

商务英语中使用艰深晦涩的词汇,不会让书信显得正式、严肃,反而会令收信人阅读过程延长,理解出现偏差,难以迅速准确地回复。英语是全球通用的语言,为确保不同国家的人士明白书信的意思,应多使用通用的词汇,以达到自然顺畅,撰写快捷,简洁明了,又不失商业味道的效果。

4.3 提问要客气、直截了当,避免使用含糊、过于古旧、迂腐的语言

客气明了地提出问题,不但给人亲切感,更令收信人产生需要回答的心态。并且,直截了当的询问能便于收信人回复。

4.4 力求正面肯定地谈论问题,避免使用让收信人反感的词语

写信人要顾及收信人的感受和要求,尽量从正面与对方讨论问题。避免使用如:fail,wrong,inadequate,stupid等词语,这些词语给人一种居高临下的教训感觉,甚至涉及侮辱人格,容易使收信人产生反感。

5 结束语

采购是贸易过程中重要的一个环节。写好采购商务信函是进行现代商务沟通的一个重要的技能。要完美传达采购商务信息,写信人必须坚持现代商务书信写作的七大原则。在具体的商务信函的写作中,写信人还必须灵活运用各种写作技巧,体现出商务书信的写作风格,只有这样,顺利的商务沟通才能完成。

参考文献

[1]管春林.国际商务英语写作[M].杭州:浙江大学出版社,2006:8.

[2]葛萍,周维家.外贸英语函电(双语)[M].上海:复旦大学出版社,2007:2.

[3]赵银德.外贸函电[M].北京:机械工业出版社,2006:7.

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