商务信函的词汇特征

1、Lexical Feature of English Business LettersAbstract: English business letter plays an important role in foreign trade. In English business letters, the lexicon is a key aspect which can influence the effect of communication: This thesis is a study on lexical features of English business letters. The

2、 purposes of this study are to find out the specific lexical features of English business letters exchanged in foreign trade, which is different from both face-to-face interactions and everyday letters and give implications for the Business English learners and the business practitioners to enhance

3、their mastery of appropriate use of lexicon in English business letters. The discussions of this study are expected to shed some light on the teaching and study of English business letters and the practical business letters writing by the professionals in the field of foreign trade.Key Words: Englis

4、h business letters; lexical feature; suggestions商务英语的用词技巧摘 要：商务英语信函在对外贸易中起着很重要的作用。而在商务信函中，词汇又是影响交际效果的一个主要方面。本文是对商务英语信函的词汇特点展开的研究。本研究的目的是:找出对外贸易交际中所使用的、与面对面交际及日常信件不同的商务信函的词汇特征;进一步提出一些能够加强商务英语学习者与商务活动从业者对商务英语信函词汇正确应用能力的意见.希望本文的研究能够有助于商务英语信函的教学及对外贸易从业者的商务信函写作。关键词： 英语商务信函；词汇特征；建议CONTENTSIntroduction11.B

5、rief Introduction of English Business Letters22. The Analysis of Lexical Feature in English Business Letters and Suggestion on Writing32.1 Lexical Feature of English Business Letters32.1.1 Heavy Use of Special Terms32.1.2 The Use of Familiar Words42.1.3 The Use of Specific and Exact Words and Expres

6、sions62.1.4 Features of the Use of Modifying Words in English business letters82.2 Suggestion92.2.1 Choice of Precise Wording92.2.1.1 Avoidance of Ambiguity102.2.1.2 Avoidance of Cliché112.2.2 Choice of Concise Wording122.2.2.1 Avoidance of Long and Unusual Words132.2.2.2 Avoidance of Wordiness

7、142.2.2.3 Avoidance of Redundancies162.2.3 The Use of Simple or Common words172.2.3.1 Avoidance of Officialese182.2.3.2 Avoidance of Commercialese192.2.3.3 Avoidance of Needless Jargons and Slang192.2.4 Limitation and Suggestion203. Conclusion22Bibliography24中国最大的论文知识平台Introduction In modern busines

8、s operations, business letter is the most frequent instruments employed by companies in daily business communications. Business letters referred in this study are most frequently used letters in international trades, including establishing business relations, inquiries and replies, offers and counte

9、r-offers, orders and acknowledgements, packing as well as shipment. Specific linguistic and stylistic features of business letters make them totally different from the general English writing. Among various kinds of business communications, English business letters play an important role and remain

10、the most essential in international trade. With China's accession to the WTO, we are confronted with more challenges as well as business opportunities. It is therefore very significant for us to have a good command of some important lexicon most commonly used in the international trade. It can b

11、e said that without business letters, all international trade and business will fall apart. Writing English business letters is a must in international business settings, for messages through telephone conversations have to be confirmed in writing. Therefore, English business letters are greatly nee

12、ded in foreign trade affairs.English business letters are the most important way between the businessmen on both sides in foreign trade. English business letter writing is of great importance to foreign trade. It serves to pass on information, to express ideas, to exchange feelings and to deal with

13、social business and helps to make and maintain a good relationship with customers as long as possible. In this process, an effective and efficient letter is an essential weapon perhaps the most versatile weapon at our disposal. Therefore, it is necessary for people engaged in foreign trade affairs t

14、o have a good command of the language features and writing techniques about practical English writing, especially English business letters.In the present paper, the author attempts to investigate the lexical features of English business letter, to analyze these lexical features and propose some impl

15、ications of them.1. Brief Introduction of English Business Letters English business letter is a kind of letter between importers and exporters in the process of international trade with the purpose of concluding and implementing a business transaction. English business letter plays a very important

16、role in international trade. First, it is the most commonly used communicating method between importers and exporters. Usually, there are different methods of communication for importers and exporters, such as sending visiting groups to each other, contacting in trade fairs, having a special face to

17、 fact talk, etc. Among all these methods, English business letter is the most commonly used one, and even the only way of communication available in many cases. Secondly, the letters between importers and exporters are the basis of a sales contract. In the practice of international trade, the proces

18、s of concluding a contract is like this: first, there should be negotiation between the two parties involved. After all the trade terms and details are settled, there would be the contract. In the process concluding a contract, the m ain form of negotiation is by letters. All the trade terms and det

19、ails are put forward, discussed, offered, counter-offered through the letters between the two parties. 2. The Analysis of Lexical Feature in English Business Letters and Suggestion on Writing Usually a piece of English business letter is quite short, each of which usually contains less than I50 word

20、s. Within these 150 words, English business letters manifest numerous, distinctive and unique features. In this chapter, a systematic study of the lexical features of English business letters will be conducted, or putting it in another way, the following two questions will be addressed: (1) What are

21、 the lexical features of English business letters? (2) How to improve your skills of writing a business letter from lexical view?2.1 Lexical Feature of English Business Letters2.1.1 Heavy Use of Special TermsAs we know, English business letters refer to the letters between exporters and importers in

22、 the process of international trade, and its contents always deal with one or some aspects of foreign trade. So English business letters is the writing belonging to the category of faire specialty. As a result, one of the most distinct features is the use of technical terms. In other words, some wor

23、ds are frequently used in English business letters, but they seldom appear in writings of other types. In order to illustrate this point, look at the piece of English business letters below: E.g.2.1Dear Sirs: Thank you for your offer. We now confirm our purchase of the following goods:Description: A

24、-I grade canned beefSpecification: 250 GM conditioned weightInsurance: against with particular averagePayment: by irrevocable L/C at sigh without recourse. Shipment marks: on each and every case, the name of the consignee should be stenciled.We expect to find good market for the aboveYours sincerely

25、There are 66 words in this letter, and among these words, at least 7 words (or phrases) are special terms of international trade, they are: "recourse", "consignee", "particular average", "shipment marks", "irrevocable L/C", "at sight" and &

26、quot;conditioned weight". Besides these special terms, some other words such as: "insurance", "payment" "specification", "description" which are to some degree special. The use of special terms in English business letters has another form: for some words,

27、 though they appear in writings of other types as well, their meaning is quite different and special when used in English business letters. Consider the following example: E.g.2.2Dear Madam:We have received your offer, now we book 300 sets, we hope the payment to be made by negotiating L/C instead o

28、f by collection.We look forward to your early reply.Yours sincerelyIn this letter, words like "offer", "book", "negotiation", "collection" are all familiar words, but their meanings in this letter are quite special and different from their common meanings.The

29、use of these special terms, on one hand, makes the writing scientific, precise and concise; on the other hand, from the viewpoint of language, these special words help to render the English business letters more special, functional, impersonal and businesslike in style. 2.1.2 The Use of Familiar Wor

30、dsIn the past, people's understanding of English business letters was that it was an impersonal, company-to-company writing, and essentially a kind of half-official document. When they wrote English business letters, they preferred to use formal words or even uncommon words to show its formality

31、 and impersonality. The following example can show this feature of English business letters of the past. E.g.2.3 Dear Sir or Madam: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 concurrence in desi

32、re to expedite matters.Yours truly In this letter, several uncommon words were used, such as "herewith" "consideration", "concurrence" and "expedite". When these big words made this piece of English business letters seem so formal and so impersonal, they also

33、made it quite inflexible, rigid and hard to understand. These days, with the development of society in which people are paying more and more care and respect to human being, the style of English business letters has also changed a lot. As far as the aspect of lexicon is concerned, the change is that

34、 people are increasingly using familiar words in their English business letters writing.The following are two columns of synonyms. The left column represents the words that have been once commonly used in the English business letters writing in the past, while the right column represents the words t

35、hat are being frequently used today.Column I Column IIRender Give Endeavor TryRequire AskTerminate End Prior to BeforeTo use familiar words means to use everyday words instead of academic words, to use simple and short words instead of complicated words and big words, and to use words instead of phr

36、ases. In order to make this point clearer let us compare the following two sentences:E.g.2.4The contract enclosed herewith requires your signature before it can be executed and should be directed to the undersigned. E.g.2.5Please sign the contract enclosed and return it to our company.These two sent

37、ences express the same meaning, but their styles are quite different. Obviously the first sentence is very stereotyped and boring because of the use of some big words such as "herewith", "executed", "direct" and "undersigned" while the second sentence leaves t

38、he impression of being natural, and easy to understand, for it uses familiar words to replace the uncommon words. The use of familiar words not only makes the writing easier to understand, but also makes the writing more natural, cordial and acceptable.2.1.3 The Use of Specific and Exact Words and E

39、xpressionsJust like common letters, one of English business letters major functions is to convey information, one big difference being that English business letters demand a much higher degree of precision of expression.Before a contract is concluded, every detail and trade terms should be made clea

40、r and definite through English business letters. Any expression which is vague or ambiguous or too broad or less specific will incur further asking and clarification, and it is likely to cause serious consequences. So being precise and exact in language constitutes another important feature of Engli

41、sh business letters. To be more specific, the following characteristics are quite obvious.(1) Figures are used deliberately and abundantly in English business letters. To use figures is the most precise and exact way of expression. In English business letters, figures are frequently used especially

42、when dealing with the price, quantity, time etc. Let us look at the following example: E.g.2.6 Dear Sir or Madam:Your fax of February 10 asking to offer you the article no.306 has received our immediate attention. We are pleased to know that you are interested in our products. In reply to your inqui

43、ry, we take pleasure in making you an offer as follows, provided your reply reaches us within 6 days from today specification quantity(set) price($) BYD212 1000 410.00BYD175 1000 380.00 BYD218 500 395.00The price is on the basis of CIF Alexandria.Packing: at the buyer's option.Shipment: total qu

44、antity to be delivered by 3 equal monthly shipments, March through May 1999.Payment: 100% by irrevocable revolving letter of credit.In view of the fact that out stock in hand has been quite low owing to heavy commitment, your early order is essential.Yours faithfullyIn this letter, there are as many

45、 as 15 figures. These figures not only help to make the expressions quite specific, but also make the writing have a practical, impersonal and businesslike style, distinguishing it from other types of writing.(2) Use adjectives with definite meanings to help gain the precision of expression. In orde

46、r to illustrate this point, first let us consider the following two letters. E.g.2.7Dear Sir or Madam:We have received your letter, now we are making our offer, subject to your reply soon.Quantity: 200 tonsPacking: in bagsShipment: in two lots during June and July of 2004We look forward to your repl

47、y.Yours sincerelyDear Sir or Madam: Your letter of May 1 has been received, now we are making our offer, subject to your reply here before or on May 10.Quantity: 200 metric tonsPacking: in new seaworthy jute bags for 50 kgs eachShipment: in two equal monthly lots during June and July of 2004.We look

48、 forward to your early reply.Yours sincerelyAfter reading the first letter, we feel that there are so many details that we are not clear about, and it does not possess the quality of being specific and exact that an English business correspondence should have. So we can say that essentially it is mo

49、re like a common letter than a piece of English business correspondence, although its content is about foreign trade. The second letter is quite different. In this letter, a number of modifiers such as "metric", "equal", "monthly" "seaworthy" "new",

50、"jute" are used, and the word "soon"in the first paragraph of the first letter is replaced by "before and on May10". With the modification of these adjectives, the letter is made quite specific and definite. (3) Words with inexact meanings are seldom used.For some words

51、 whose meaning is not so exact such as "several", "a few", "a lot of”, "about", "maybe", "around", they are seldom used in English business letters. Since these words do not carry exact and specific information, they are hardly part of English b

52、usiness letters language.2.1.4 Features of the Use of Modifying Words in English Business LettersGenerally speaking, English business letter is a kind of writing that uses comparatively less modifying words. This is determined by its function. In most cases, English business letters are asking for i

53、nformation, offering trade terms, giving details, telling an arrangement or idea or expressing a situation. In English business letters, there is no great mass of emotional expression or large block of vivid description as there is in some literary works. Consequently, not many modifying words are n

54、eeded in English business letters. To be more specific, the following conclusions can be drawn:(1)Concerning the classification of adjectives, most adjectives used in English business letters are quantitative and classifying ones. Look at the following sentences taken from some pieces of English bus

55、iness letters.E.g.2.9Payment should be made by irrevocable transferable and confirmed L/C.E.g.2.10Shipment should be made in two equal monthly lots.In these two sentences, none of the adjectives are used for literary description, and their function is simply to make some details specific and exact.(

56、2) Modifying words with strong emotional coloring are seldom used.In most cases, adjectives and adverbs used in English business letters are neutral, without emotional coloring. In some certain circumstances, adjectives or adverbs with emotional coloring are also likely to be used, but the emotional

57、 coloring is usually moderate, mild and positive. The following examples can illustrate this point.E.g.2.11You will find our price is reasonable.E.g.2.12We hope to find good market for your products.Some words such as "extremely", "absolute", "deeply", "profound&qu

58、ot; "sad", "delightful" and so on are not likely to appear in a piece of English business letters, because they can add an emotional, personal and subjective style to the writing, which does not comply with the essential style of English business letters.2.2 Suggestion The presen

59、t study on lexical features of English business letters aims to analyze the realization of communicative purpose (participant relationships and roles, etc.) in English business letters at lexical level. The study of vocabulary of the collected data helps us understand how people express meanings with the specific le