On Features of Buisiness English Language and Writing英语专业毕业论文.docx

本科学生论文论文题目：On Features of Buisiness English Language and Writing学 院：西语学院年 级：2010专 业：英语姓 名： 学 号：20104126指导教师： 日 期：2013/6/20 TABLE OF CONTENTSAbstract.1Key words.11. Introduction .12. Business English.12.1What is business English? 2.1.1The Definition2.1.2A Brief Introduction to Business English3. Research on Business English Writing Styles and Language Characteristics.23.1 Business English Writing.23.1.1 An Overview of Business Writing.23.1.2 The functions of Business English Writing.23.2 Features of Vocabulary of Business English Writing .23.2.1 More Professional .23.2.2 More initialisms and acronyms .33.2.3 More formal, shorter, and easy to understand.33.2.4 More new words .33.3 Features of Business English Writing Styles .33.4 Linguistic Features on Business English.43.5 Features on layout of the business letters.53.5.1 Letter structures and placements.53.6 Other forms of Business English Letters.63.6.1 Memo.73.6.2 Reports.74. Conclusion.8*References .9IOn Features of Business English WritingsAbstract: Business English is a practical way in English language which is frequently described as a tool in intercultural exchanges. Business English has its own characteristics and features that differ from English used in literature, researching, and teaching. Business English can be used in many a field, such as negotiations, trading, communications between multi-national companies. So, business English writings are surly different from English used in other fields. This dissertation is to give a brief introduction on features of business English writings. And its aim is to make business learners to write business English writings better.Key words: Business English; features; writings; practical English; 1. IntroductionAs the rapid development of commercial culture, business English has become a special practical way in using English. And it has also won great popularity among businessmen. It has played an increasingly important role in company trading between companies in different countries. An significant branch of business English is business English writing, which mainly refers to business letters, faxes, contracts, advertisements, bid documents, product instructions, and negotiating documents, etc. When communicating with foreign enterprises, business English writings are indispensible from starting business relationships to negotiations and signing contracts. Due to the fact that cultures are definitely different when it comes to two parties from two different countries, a number of cultural factors must be taken into consideration when writing documents or contracts. Apart from that, the writing styles and language characteristics also count much, because business English writings are writings which are more formal and concise, and some are even involve a large amount of technical terms. Therefore, to know how to write business English is very important.2. Business English 2.1 What is business English?2.1.1 The DefinitionBusiness English, literally, means English used in business fields, especially related to international trade. On Wikipedia of Google, business English means different things to different people. For some, it focuses on vocabulary and topics used in the worlds of business, trade, finance, and international relations. For others it refers to the communication skills used in the workplace, and focuses on the language and skills needed for typical business communication such as presentations, negotiations, meetings, small talk, socializing, correspondence, report writing, and so on.2.1.2 A Brief Introduction to Business EnglishAfter the World War II, the English gradually became the international working language, and it is same with the international commercial field. In 1960s, English played an important role in the world, and it attracted much attention from linguistic world, especially in pragmatic linguistics. And the English coursed were offered in many non- English speaking countries. In 1990s, many English learners changed their purposes and motivations when taking English courses. The emphasis would not put on the all-round development in English, instead, they were more interested in the practicability of English. At that time, business English courses came out as a most popular branch of English language. 3. Research on Business English Writing Styles and Language Characteristics3.1 Business English Writing3.1.1 An Overview of Business WritingIn recent years, the transactions between different countries are much more frequent. During the trading process, business English writing has become an important way to communicate with each other. One who is very well versed at business writing is more likely to contribute more to the company by increasing the companys sales to other countries, providing better after-sale services, and solving the problems efficiently. When the communication is doing well, a good customer relationship must be achieved.3.1.2 The functions of Business English WritingWriting is to tell someone about something to achieve certain goals. It depends on what you write in your writing. Business English writing, generally speaking, has three goals: to inform, to persuade, and to request.When you write to your staffs, the message may include announcing meeting times, giving orders, or to inform them of the procedures. When you write to your customers, you may give a brief introduction of your product or your after-sale policies. However, when you write to other companies, the message might include trading affairs or negotiation times.In terms of persuading, you are probably to write to impose certain influences on someone, especially for your customers. You may write to your customers to tell them the advantages of your commodity or your services and try to change their ideas, which can also happen on negotiating tables. If you are a purchaser, it is useful for you to write a inquiry before you buy something from the other party. A inquiry is to request the other side to give you samples, price lists, and product columns. 3.2 Features of Vocabulary of Business English Writing 3.2.1 More ProfessionalBusiness English is closely related to a certain field, so the vocabulary is much more professional. Business English reflects the whole process of business activities, including finance, corporate management, international trading, and international cooperation, etc. in that case, apart from some basic vocabularies, business English contains much more vocabulary that is quite professional. Besides, some words which we are familiar with may have certain meanings in business English field. The most important feature of business English is that it is the carrier of business practice and business theory. For example, the word “close” means to move so that a hole, gap, or opening is covered. However, in business English, it means to close a quotation in an exchange. 3.2.2 More initialisms and acronymsIn the process of using business English, some professional terms appear in an abbreviated form as business activities developed. Such as PCT (percent), ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting), IMF (International Monetary Fund), L/C (letter of credit), CIF (cost, insurance & freight), F.B. (freight bill), CERT (certificate), INV (invoice), INFO (information), EXPO (exposition), GOVT (government), BG (bag), FCH (franchise), I/E (import/export).However, not all of the abbreviations or initialisms shall be used in all the writings. They can be used in the following conditions: 1) Abbreviations are familiar to the people concerned. These abbreviations words shall not be elaborated in the writing. Such as, USA, UN, WTO, UK, CPC, etc. 2) If the abbreviated words are not so common, an elaboration is needed to make sure that all of the reader could understand what you mean.3) For some circumstances, abbreviations must be used. For example, Dr. Wang, not Doctor Wang, Mr. Smith, not Mister Smith, Mrs. Zhang, not Mistress Zhang, etc.3.2.3 More formal, shorter, and easy to understandWe can observe from some writing of business English that the vocabulary used in business English are more formal, shorter and easy to understand. The reason is that during the international business activities, efficiency is paid much attention to. It is much more common for businessman to use words that are easily understood by the both sides, because not both sides are native English speaker. Besides, modifiers in the sentences are relatively less in order to make the sentence shorter. Though the sentences are shorter, all the important points are included.3.2.4 More new wordsAs the rapid development in the natural science and social science, new products and new theories may come out. It means that new vocabulary may also appear, and the new business English terms will be also added. Such as, Euro, E-cash, Firewall, Economy depression, Laid-off workers, Bull spread, Black Monday, etc. 3.3 Features of Business English Writing StylesBusiness English writing is a style which forms as the development of production and trading of commodities. It will not pursue for the enchantment of languages. Instead, business English writing set it the priority the logic, clearance, accuracy, and structure to make the writing easier to comprehend. During writing the business English letters, some outdated terms and phrases have been eliminated so that it could be understood much more easily. For example, the expression “we are in receipt of.” has been replaced by “we have received.”, and “Express my heartfelt gratitude to you for” by “thank you for.”. Ambiguity is not welcome in business English when describing something. It can not be accepted when saying “We wish to confirm our telex dispatched yesterday” while the sentence “We confirm our telex of July 2nd, 2000” is acceptable. The former one is much more ambiguous in comparison with the later one. Besides, courtesy is quite important in writing business letters. Courtesy is helpful in developing a good partnership. For example, the expressions like “We would appreciate it if .” “It would be great if you .” “We would be glad to .” are very common in business English writing.The logical rigor of business writing is reflected on long sentences, compound sentences, and compound complex sentences. For instance, “If Egyptian buyers insist on concluding business direct with Party A，Party A may conclude business with such Egyptian buyers who come to visit China or attend the Chinese Export Commodity Fairest prices not lower than those quoted to Party B”3.4 Linguistic Features on Business English(1) Frequently used dynamic words instead of static words. Such as go, buy, inform, sent, receive, etc. Here are some dynamic words in sentences. “We are pleased to inform you that we are satisfied with your product, and we hope that you could offer us an acceptable and reasonable price.” “The product we launched last season turns out to be good.” “We have received your samples, and we will reply to you as soon as possible.” (2) When using prepositions, it is more often to see two or more prepositions used in one phrase instead of using the single preposition. Such as, in hope for, so as to, as well as, in accordance with, in view of, in order to, etc. “The delivery has been made in accordance with the customers request.” “We hope that we can receive your order as soon as possible so as to make sure the quantity of the product.”(3) Frequently use compound words with “here” “where” and “there”. Such as, hereafter, thereby, whereby, therein, thereon, hereby, herein, etc. For example, “I hereby acknowledge receipt of your letter of 25July.” “Enclosed herein you will find the bill.” “Losses caused as a result thereof shall be borne by the violator.” “The contract is made by and between the buyers and the sellers, whereby the buyers agree to buy and the sellers agree to sell the under mentioned commodity according to the terms and conditions stipulated below.”(4) Frequently use non-finite forms to express the sever tone of voice. For example, “Should the vessel deviate or back during a voyage, contrary to the others . ” (5) Frequently use the word “shall” to strengthen the mood. For example, “I shall hope to see you in my office, young lady, and we'll review your portfolio.” “This is our last chance and we shall need to take it if we are to compete and survive.” “We shall have to trim our spending down to fit our income”(6) Frequently use synonyms in pairs. For example, “This agreement and any rights and obligation hereunder are not transferable and assignable by one party without the permission of the other party.” “An