國(guó)際商務(wù)函電的語(yǔ)言特征及應(yīng)用【畢業(yè)論文】

1、<p><b>　　（20_ _屆）</b></p><p><b>　　本科畢業(yè)設(shè)計(jì)</b></p><p><b>　　英語(yǔ)</b></p><p>　　國(guó)際商務(wù)函電的語(yǔ)言特征及應(yīng)用</p><p>　　The Language Features and Appl

2、ications of International Business Correspondence</p><p><b>　　摘 要</b></p><p>　　隨著經(jīng)濟(jì)和信息技術(shù)的快速發(fā)展,商務(wù)英語(yǔ)函電已成為對(duì)外貿(mào)易中不可缺少的組成部分，也是現(xiàn)代外貿(mào)活動(dòng)中最常用也最有效的通訊手段之一；它是一種行業(yè)英語(yǔ),主要用于對(duì)外經(jīng)濟(jì)貿(mào)易活動(dòng)和社會(huì)活動(dòng)中。如果沒(méi)有往來(lái)的貿(mào)易電函

3、,大部分的國(guó)際貿(mào)易活動(dòng)都不可能順利進(jìn)行。因此,商務(wù)英語(yǔ)函電在對(duì)外貿(mào)易中的作用就是為雙方的溝通交流搭起的橋梁,準(zhǔn)確而具體地傳遞雙方的各類(lèi)相關(guān)信息。</p><p>　　本文首先介紹了商務(wù)函電的相關(guān)知識(shí)，包括它的過(guò)去的寫(xiě)法和現(xiàn)在的寫(xiě)法。其次從句法和詞匯的角度來(lái)分析函電的語(yǔ)言特征，并且介紹了翻譯技巧。第三部分主要分析了商務(wù)函電語(yǔ)言的五大原則，即：清楚，簡(jiǎn)潔，禮貌，具體，正確；及其在實(shí)踐中的應(yīng)用。</p>

4、<p>　　關(guān)鍵詞：商務(wù)函電；語(yǔ)言特點(diǎn)；函電應(yīng)用 </p><p><b>　　Abstract</b></p><p>　　With the development of information technology and economy, business English correspondence has become an integral pa

5、rt of the modern foreign trade activities in foreign trade, and it is one of the most common and most effective means of communication; it is a trade English, which used in foreign trade and economic activities and socia

6、l activities. If there is no correspondence with each other, most of the international trade activities are not carried out smoothly. Therefore, Business Correspon</p><p>　　The article first introduces the r

7、elevant knowledge of business correspondence, including its past way of writing and present way of writing. Secondly from the angle of vocabulary and syntax, the article analyses language feature of business letters, and

8、 presents its translation skills. In the third part, the article mainly enumerates five principles of business correspondence, namely, clarity, conciseness, courtesy, concreteness, correctness; and its application in pra

9、ctice.</p><p>　　Key words: business correspondence; language features; application</p><p><b>　　Contents</b></p><p>　　Abstract……………………………………………………………………………….…II</p>

10、;<p>　　1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………..….1</p><p>　　1.1 Business letters in the past……………………………..………………………..…1</p><p>　　1.2 Business letters in the modern society…………………………………

11、……….….2</p><p>　　2. Language features of business correspondence and translation techniques….......2</p><p>　　2.1 Language features………………………………………….…………………..…..3</p><p>　　2.1.1 Synt

12、ax………………………………………………………………………….3</p><p>　　2.1.2 Words………………………………………………………………………......4</p><p>　　2.2 Translation techniques……………………...………………………………………5</p><p>　　2.2.1 Semantic level…

13、……………………………………………………………….5</p><p>　　2.2.2 Lexical level………………………………………………………………........6</p><p>　　3. The practical application of International business correspondence……………....7</p><p

14、>　　3.1 The practical application of clarity………………………………………………….7</p><p>　　3.2 The practical application of conciseness. …………………………………………...8</p><p>　　3.3 The practical application of courtesy

15、 ………………………………………………10</p><p>　　3.4 The practical application of concreteness ………………………………………….10</p><p>　　3.5 The practical application of correctness. …………………………………………..11</p><p>　

16、　4. Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………..11</p><p>　　Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………...12</p><p>　　Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………….13</p><p>　　1. Introduct

17、ion</p><p>　　Letters are commonly used in daily life such as negotiation matters, exchanging ideas, connecting feelings and it is an important tool to enhance understanding of people. Letters can be divided

18、into two categories: Private letters and business letters (or business letter of official correspondence). Private correspondence is to connect and express feelings, while enterprises communicate with the outside world

19、in the form of business letters. Business letters can be widely used for consulting in</p><p>　　Here are two examples to describe the business correspondence in the past and in the modern society. They have

20、different language styles.</p><p>　　Business letters in the past</p><p>　　At one time, business letter style was as formal as the starched collar every businessman wore. The following example is

21、 typical:</p><p>　　Dear Gentlemen,</p><p>　　Yours of the 12th received instant, and in reply beg to state that herewith is forwarded the report under consideration. Please be advised of general

22、concurrence in desire to expedite matters…</p><p>　　Repeating our thanks, we are, Gentlemen, your obedient servants.</p><p>　　(Newman,1987)</p><p>　　The style like this was taken fo

23、r granted in its day because stock words and expressions such as “your” and “beg to state” were widely used by business people at that time. Before we criticize them, we should remember that their world was different fro

24、m ours. Business relationships were more formal, and competition was less keen. Businesses concentrated on facts rather than on personal and human contacts in their correspondence, fearing the application of the latter m

25、ight lead to misunderstandin</p><p>　　Business letters in the modern society</p><p>　　Despite the constant use of the telephone in modern life and despite the popularity of the telex and the ubi

26、quitousness of printed forms letters continue to be written in millions. However, business letters do not call for a special kind of “business English”. The most distinctive feature of nowadays letters is written simply,

27、 in an easy and natural way---like one friendly human being talking to another. Making the letters, then, sounds as much as possible like good conversation. The warmer and </p><p>　　Dear Sirs,</p><

28、;p>　　As per your letter of the 12th, we are sending you the report for your consideration. For our further negotiation please let us know how the matter stands now…</p><p>　　Thanks for your cooperation…&l

29、t;/p><p>　　Best regards</p><p>　　(Newman, 1987)</p><p>　　2. Language features of business correspondence and translation techniques </p><p>　　Business correspondence has t

30、hree principles--accurate, concise and clear, which are all for language requirement, while "courtesy" aims at attitude and angle requirement. On the contrary, "specific" is the overall requirement fo

31、r the entire contents of sealed letters and telegrams and requires us to avoid using the white elephant, whose content can not deviate from the expressing meaning. Business correspondence involves not only the unique pro

32、fessional background, but also the actual business </p><p>　　2.1 Language features</p><p>　　The business correspondence has two aspects of language features, which are syntax and word.</p>

33、<p>　　2.1.1 Syntax</p><p>　　According to the syntax feature, there are some examples to test it.</p><p>　　(1) Fixed sentence expression. For expressing explicitly, business English corres

34、pondence has become the language with fixed set. For example:</p><p>　　“Thank you for your letter. In accordance with your request, we send you here with a statement of your account which we hope you will fi

35、nd correct. Our order is subject to your acceptance of our terms of payments by D/P.” </p><p>　　(2) The structure of statement is based on complex and long sentences, rarely using simple sentences. The "

36、;branch structures" which is "clause sets of clauses" is very common; a few lines in a row come to an end.</p><p>　　(3) A sentence should complete the grammatical structure at first, then add

37、modified content and highlight the characteristics of the object taking it out to elaborate. For instance, “l(fā)ast month we produced ... for....” Hierarchy is very strong, and is conducive to make meaning clearly.</p>

38、;<p>　　(4) A sentence extensively uses external structures, and its core can be described with the object clause or appositive clause in the form of statements such as: </p><p>　　“We wish to inform yo

39、u that we are ... / we are confident that ... / you will find that ...” </p><p>　　The form is more prominent and the level is very clear.</p><p>　　(5) In a sentence, some compositions with logic

40、al connection mostly use phrase or phrases rather than clauses, such as: </p><p>　　“Made of superior material with ... these clothes ...”</p><p>　　This sentence is more formal, rigorous, and sho

41、ws generosity and grace.</p><p>　　(6) When involving some ways, frequency, direction of the content related to state and behavior, the sentence is listed in separate way, such as "Please send us, by air

42、mail ...", the form is simple and clear. In short, business English correspondence commonly used complex sentences, long sentences and passive voice on syntax.</p><p>　　2.1.2 Word</p><p>　　

43、On the vocabulary, business English correspondence usually uses technical terms, polite words, modal verbs, big words and archaic words. On the choosing words, it is not necessary to deliberately pursue flowery rhetor

44、ic, as long as they do not affect the principles of courtesy and consideration, word selecting concisely as much as possible, in order to show the friendly relationship and the relaxed atmosphere; if involving specialize

45、d business, appropriate words can be used to show one's own </p><p>　　In addition, the repetition and the ellipsis of words in business correspondence is more common. Some key words are often used in con

46、junction with synonym phenomenon. For example, “The packing and wrapping expenses should be borne by the buyer." Packing" and "wrapping" in the sentence are synonymous, meaning "packaging".

47、In the original text they are reused, in order to ensure that the words are not misinterpreted. </p><p>　　For another, the words should be accurate and pay attention to polysemous. For example, “the product

48、will find a good market in New York.” “Chinese toy products are very popular in Europe. We would like to work with you to market them in Canada.” From the above two cases, "market” not only means the market, but als

49、o means sale. So we should be sure to consider carefully ensuring accuracy when using the words. And we’d better use short and simple verbs. Many people think that short and simple wor</p><p>　　Finally, busi

50、ness letters should try to use the specific words rather than abstract terms and to use positive and polite words. They should avoid using ambiguous terms and avoid reusing adjectives and adverbs.</p><p>　　2

51、.2 Translation techniques</p><p>　　As we know, Chinese language and English language have their differences in so many aspects. That is why during the bilingual transformation, the translator will inevitably

52、 come across difficulties. In this part, several commonly used Chinese-English translation techniques will be analyzed from semantic and lexical levels with the purpose of facilitating the translator to create a perfect

53、English business letter.</p><p>　　2.2.1 Semantic level</p><p>　　Translators are primarily concerned with communicating the overall meaning of a stretch of language. To achieve this, they need to

54、 start by decoding the units and structures, which carry that meaning. The smallest unit, which they would expect to possess an individual meaning, is the word. Because a large variety of vocabulary is business world, th

55、e choice of words or diction is extremely important.</p><p>　　A lot of commercial terms are involved in business letters. They all have their own corresponding translations. Take the following as examples: “

56、詢盤(pán)”(inquiry), “發(fā)盤(pán)”(offer), “議付”(negotiation), “改證”(amendment to L/C), “抬頭”(in favor of), “保險(xiǎn)商”(underwriter), “平艙費(fèi)”(trimming charges), “預(yù)約保單”(open policy). There are also some common expressions, such as: “現(xiàn)貨”(goods from

57、stock), “告罄”(be exhausted), “貨物滅失”(physical loss), “需求甚殷”(a brisk demand for…), “市場(chǎng)疲軟”(a weak market)</p><p>　　If the word can be translated into several ways in the target language, translators have to choo

58、se one of the best translations according to its linguistic context and situational context. Take “聯(lián)系”for an example:</p><p>　　Chinese: 如貴方對(duì)我方輪胎有需要，請(qǐng)予我方上海分公司聯(lián)系索取報(bào)價(jià)。</p><p>　　English: If you are

59、interested in our tyres, please approach our Shanghai Branch for an offer.</p><p>　　Chinese:什么時(shí)候需要我們幫忙，請(qǐng)不要客氣，隨時(shí)與我們聯(lián)系。</p><p>　　English: Wherever you need our assistance, please don’t hesitate to

60、 contact us.</p><p>　　Chinese:回國(guó)后，我們將盡快寫(xiě)信與你聯(lián)系。</p><p>　　English: We shall communicate with you further as soon as we go back to China.</p><p>　　However, some words can not find thei

61、r corresponding translations in the target language. In such a case, we can give them with explanations. Such as “澡堂” we had better translate it into “public bathroom”. Sometimes we can transliterate them and then give t

62、he explanation. Take “旗袍” as an example: Since “cheongsam” can not be well accepted we had better translate it into “qipao, a close-fitting woman’s dress with high neck and slit skirt”.</p><p>　　2.2.2 Lexica

63、l level</p><p>　　For this level, conversion, omission, negations are the three commonly used techniques. </p><p>　　(1) Conversion</p><p>　　Among the most distinctive features betwee

64、n Chinese and English, the English language uses more nouns while the Chinese language uses more verbs. In translating business letters conversion can help the translator make his or her edition more fluent and more acco

65、rdant to the target language. Notice the following examples:</p><p>　　Chinese:貴方?jīng)]有按合同規(guī)定及時(shí)把貨備妥，致使我方派去裝貨的船只滯期3天18小時(shí)。</p><p>　　Poor: The fact that you failed to get the goods ready for loading in a

66、ccordance with the time of shipment as stipulated in the contract has resulted in the time on demurrage for the vessel sent by us for 3 days and 18 hours.</p><p>　　Better: Your failure to get the goods ready

67、 for loading in accordance with the time of shipment as stipulated in the contract has resulted in the time on demurrage for the vessel sent by us for 3 days and 18 hours.</p><p>　　The first translation is w

68、ordy and unclear. But after we change the verb “fail” into its noun form “failure”, the sentence becomes much clearer.</p><p>　　(2) Omission</p><p>　　Omission does not mean randomly omitting the

69、 content in the source language but mean appropriately omitting the expressions which are not in conformity with those in the target language.</p><p>　　(3) Negation</p><p>　　There are also disti

70、nctive features between Chinese and English when we express our negative meaning. In business letters, negative sentences in Chinese usually are much better translated into the sentences with affirmative in form but nega

71、tive in meaning than translated into the sentences with “not” or “no”.（張金玲,2002）</p><p>　　3. The practical application of International business correspondence language</p><p>　　With the develop

72、ment of information technology, multimedia technology and web technology, the E-ways such as fax, internet, email, are always much efficient and economical and paper-made letters are less and less used in corresponding.

73、However, when it comes to the content and the form of information, the basic pattern, expression ways and inners are almost the same as the past. In other words, we could just take fax and email as ways to deliver a mail

74、 to a fax or an email-box. Especially with t</p><p>　　International business cooperation increases with the accelerated pace of world economic integration. After joining into the WTO, China's economic ex

75、changes with other member countries become more and more frequent and, at the same time, foreign economic trade and technological cooperation develop much rapider than ever. As the international business develops, Busine

76、ss English is an indispensable means of international business dealings and most of the aspects in foreign trade are conducted by c</p><p>　　3.1 The practical application of clarity</p><p>　　Cla

77、rity is the most important principle of writing a business letter. Ambiguous expression and misleading words may cause misunderstanding and ambiguity and even result in trade losses. To convey the precisely meaning of a

78、business letter calls for the accurate concise words and correct sentences.</p><p>　　As a kind of world trade language, English is used in business letters in more than a hundred countries, but not all these

79、 business people have a good commendation of English. So it is necessary to choose those simple regular and common expressions; try to avoid the complex and rare words. </p><p>　　Prepositional phrases and at

80、tributive clauses which are used to modify and limit should follow the antecedent closely so that to avoid ambiguity. </p><p>　　Try to avoid the word with more than one meaning in one sentence. </p>&

81、lt;p>　　(1)It can be represented as we choose the specific facts, figures, details and interpretation of the word. For example: We can consider reducing our price if your order is large enough. This sentence is ambiguo

82、us; we can change it like this: “it reduces our price by 2% if your order exceeds 5,000 pieces,” the meaning became clearer. (2) For modification, the prepositional phrases and attributive clauses should closely foll

83、ow the first word to avoid ambiguity. For example, </p><p>　　(a) Those who ordered immediately got much profit in the Guangzhou Fair. (vague);</p><p>　　(b)Those who ordered immediately in the Gu

84、angzhou Fair got much profit. (clear). (3) In the sentence, try to avoid repeated use of a word which has two different meanings. For example, “How do you account for the fact that the account is wrong?” “account for

85、” in this sentence which means to explain, while the second “account” means "account.” The sentence should be changed to: How do you explain the fact that the account is wrong?</p><p>　　(4) “Those who

86、work rapidly get ill in these conditions”. This sentence might have two different meanings. If the sentence is corrected as: Those who work in these conditions get ill rapidly, it would be clearer.</p><p>　　

87、(5) “We shall take a firm line with the firm”. In this sentence, the first “firm” means strong, the second “firm” means corporation. So the whole sentence can be corrected as: “we shall take a strong line with the firm”.

88、 In this way the message conveyed by the sentence is much easier to get.</p><p>　　3.2 The practical application of Conciseness</p><p>　　In this modern world where international trade competition

89、 is getting more and more fierce，conciseness can be especially important in writing a business letter which means using words as less as possible to express the complete meaning and makes the content exact and polite at

90、the same time. </p><p>　　(1) Powerful vivid language is a magic weapon to enhance the effectiveness of international business correspondence. In specific ways, it is appropriate to use those well-known acron

91、yms. This is mainly because of the nature of international business correspondence itself, and also reflects the characteristic of fast communication of the twenty-first century. </p><p>　　(2) Sentence struc

92、ture should be simple and replace the phrases and attributive clause with words.</p><p>　　In the business world, time is money. Therefore, in the business Language domain, all members must comply with this b

93、asic requirement. That is to use brief and simple language and avoid nonsense sentences. For example: </p><p>　　Long-winded way simple expressions </p><p>　　Please don't hesita

94、te to tell us -------- Please tell us </p><p>　　During the year of 2004 --------------- During 2004 </p><p>　　Will you be good enough -------------- Please </p><p>　　Come to a decis

95、ion --------------------- Decide </p><p>　　For the price of USD 600 -------------- For USD 600 </p><p>　　Due to the fact that -----------------------Because </p><p>　　The above simp

96、le expressions allow authors to quickly and clearly express their meanings to improve the efficiency of both. </p><p>　　(3)Use abbreviations. For example, L/C is short for letter of credit; B/L is short for

97、bill of lading; CIF represent three single words which are cost; insurance and freight; EAT means estimated arrival time; A/S is short for at sight; FCL for full container load; FYI is for your information; S/C for sales

98、 contract, D/D for demand transfer; T/T for telegraphic transfer; M/T for mail draft; D/P for documents against payment. </p><p>　　(4)“In the event that you speak to Mr. Wood in regard to production, ask him

99、 to give consideration to the delivery schedule.” This sentence is not brief enough, the phrase “in the event” can be replaced by “if”, “in regard to” can be replaced by the word “about” and change the phrase “give consi

100、deration to” to “consider” so that the letter is more concise while the meaning of the sentence is still complete. If you speak to Mr. Wood about production, ask him to consider the delivery schedule. </p><p&g

101、t;　　(5)Try to use simple sentences. For example:</p><p>　　(a).It should be noted that this is the best we can do.----- This is the best we can do.</p><p>　　(b)For your information we enclosed a