英语-商务英语信函写作的文体特征及实际运用.docx

ContentsChinese Abstract.2English Abstract.31. Introduction.41.1 Research Background.41.2 Research Significance.41.3 Paper Structure.42. Literature Review.52.1 Research on Business English Correspondence at Abroad.52.2 Research on Business English Correspondence at Home.53. The Overview of Business English Letters.63.1 Definition of Business English Correspondence.63.2 Classification of Business English Correspondence.73.3 Basic Writing Principle -“7C Principles”.74. Analysis and Discussion.84.1 Lexical Features of Business English Correspondence.84.2 Syntactic Features of Business English Correspondence.124.3 Textual Features of Business English Correspondence.155. Conclusion.18References.20商务英语信函写作的文体特征及实际运用 摘 要随着全球化的加速和商务英语的日益普及，商务英语已成为国际贸易活动中日常的通用语言。作为一种特殊的商务文体和变体，商务英语信函具有独特的文体特征。因此，深入研究商务英语信函的风格特点，便于更好地了解商务英语信函的写作特征，促进商务沟通。为了展现出清晰的逻辑顺序，该论文被分成五个部分。第一部分是简要介绍商务英语信函的研究背景、研究意义以及论文结构。第二部分叙述了国内外学者对商务英语信函研究的文献综述。第三部分是对商务英语信函的研究。在这部分中提到了商务英语信函的定义、分类及其写作的理论基础7C原则。第四部分以304封真实的商务英语信函为研究对象，以商务英语写作7C原则为理论基础，通过使用定量分析和定性分析相结合的方法，对词汇、句法、语篇的语言特点进行探讨分析。第五部分则是对该论文研究发现的总结，对研究过程的启示，对商务英语信函研究的局限性，以及对以后研究学习的建议。关键词：商务英语信函；文体特征；语言特点Stylistic Features and Practical Application of Business English Letter Writing AbstractWith the acceleration of globalization and the popularization of business English, business English has become a daily common language in international trade activities. As a special business style and variety, business English correspondence has distinctive stylistic features. Therefore, a thorough study of its style characteristics will contribute to a better understanding of the characteristics of business English writing so as to promote business communication.To show a clear logical order, the paper is divided into five parts. The first part is a brief introduction to the research context, significance and structure of business English correspondence. The second part describes the literature review on business English correspondence by domestic and foreign scholars. The third part is the study of business English correspondence. In this part, the implication, categorization and the writing principle of business English 7C principle are mentioned. The fourth part analyzes 304 real business English letters in the framework of 7C principle of business English writing to illustrate the linguistic characteristics of vocabulary, syntax and test by combining quantitative analysis with qualitative analysis. The fifth part is the summary of the research findings of this paper, the enlightenment to the research process, the limitations to the study of business English correspondence, and the suggestions for future study.Key words: business English correspondence; stylistic features; language features1. Introduction 1.1 Research ContextWith the development of global economic integration, international business contacts are constantly growing. Business English correspondence, as a communicative medium for foreign trade, emphasizes its importance in business contacts and exchanges.“Business English correspondence is a tool for business people to interchange ideas, set up trade cooperation and finally reach a deal in business activities. Nowadays, with highly developed information, the communication in business links is not only limited to paper letters, but also to exchange information through E-mail, fax or some timely communication platforms. However, no matter what kind of communication medium is adopted, trade links and processes are certain, and people need to master some basic expressions, expressions and skills in business letters” (谭燕, 凌振春, 2013: 21-22). However, it is easy to say that you should write a good business English letter, but when it comes to doing it, you will often find it easier said than done.Most of the experts and scholars have studied business English correspondence in the aspects of its characteristics, writing and translation. But some researchers just stand on the basis of predecessors, staying in the old theoretical research, literature review and summing up their previous research results. Therefore, this thesis is a thorough research on the stylistic characteristics of practical letters based on the theoretical principles.1.2 Research SignificanceAs a conveyor of commercial message, business English correspondence is frequently employed and constantly disseminated in international trade. The appropriateness of business English letter is particularly important in business activities, which can not only promote the initial trade cooperation, but also play a role in strengthening future cooperation. Hence, the “7C” principle can be used skillfully to avoid unnecessary losses in international business activities. Hence, only mastering the writing techniques of business English can we write better letters. In the thesis, the lexical, syntactic and textual stylistic characteristics of 304 real business English letters are analyzed via quantitative and qualitative analysis so as to accurately convey business information in commercial transaction and communication.1.3 Paper StructureTo show a clear logical order, the paper is divided into five parts. The first part is a brief introduction to the research context, significance and structure of business English correspondence. The second part describes the literature review on business English correspondence by domestic and foreign scholars. The third part is the study of business English correspondence. In this part, the implication, categorization and the writing principle of business English 7C principle are mentioned. The fourth part analyzes 304 real business English letters in the framework of 7C principle of business English writing to illustrate the linguistic characteristics of vocabulary, syntax and test by combining quantitative analysis with qualitative analysis. The fifth part is the summary of the research findings of this paper, the enlightenment to the research process, the limitations to the study of business English correspondence, and the suggestions for future study. 2. Literature Review2.1 Research on Business English Correspondence at AbroadWith the accelerated pace of international commerce, foreign trade has become an important criterion to measure whether a country can successfully integrate into the world. The trade between countries is getting closer and closer, and accurate commercial letters have also played an indispensable role in the communication process. So some foreign scholars have done some research on business letters, such as grammatical mistakes, spelling mistakes and so on. Like Aliya Aimoldina, Sholpan Zharkynbekova and Damira Akynova (2016) in Investigating Pragmatic Failures in Business Letters of Kazakhstani Professionals focused on finding pragmatic failures in the collected 100 English business letters written by Kazakh business professionals, and found that the communication process is complicated due to the obvious difference between cultural context and linguistic context.In international negotiations, business letters also play an important role, so some academics have also conducted research on business negotiation letters. Such as Brazilian scholar V.B.M.Pinto dos Santos (2002) in Genre Analysis of Business Letters of Negotiation analyzed some well-known English business letters based on common communication purposes and rhetoric characteristics. These common purposes and rhetoric characteristics contributed to the establishment of the universal structure of the business negotiation letter. All steps are proposed, and examples of the most common language signals and their characteristics are discussed.To sum up, foreign scholars studies on business letters mainly focus on the following aspects: 1) Analyzing the linguistic context differences of business letters and the lack of language skills; 2) Analyzing business correspondence based on common communication purposes and rhetorical techniques.2.2 Research on Business English Correspondence at HomeSome scholars have studied the stylistic characteristics and linguistic styles of business letters under the guidance of politeness principle from the aspects of vocabulary, tense, voice and sentence pattern.Firstly, at the level of vocabulary selection, the following scholars conducted research. In Using the Principle of Politeness to Guide the use of Vocabulary in Business Letters, Pei Qianqian (2007) started from pragmatic principles of courtesy and studied how to guide the use of business correspondence vocabulary in order to better play the role of business correspondence communication.Secondly, the following scholars have discussed the types of sentence structure, form of voice and form of tense. For example, Le Qiong (2005) in Constructing Solemn Etiquette with Euphemistic Wording-On the Application of Politeness Principles in English Business Letters, summarized that the subjunctive mood and passive voice can euphemism hope or opinions, politely make sentences more indirect and more conducive to trade agreement.Thirdly, some scholars have paid attention to the application of fuzzy language in letters. For example, in his masters thesis Application of Fuzzy Language in Business English Correspondence Under the Framework of Compliance Theory, Wang Yuchao (2012) analyzed the usage imagery and realization form of fuzzy language by studying the authoritative business English correspondence at home and abroad in recent years.To sum up, domestic scholars research on business English letters mainly focuses on the following aspects: 1) Analyzing the stylistic characteristics and linguistic styles of business letters from the aspects of vocabulary, tense, voice and sentence pattern and under the guidance of politeness principle; 2) In other aspects of the study, the scholars also analyze the application of fuzzy language in English business letters.Business English letter has been widely developed in China for many years from the domestic and foreign studies. However, their researches only discuss the types of sentence structure, form of voice and form of tense. Thus, on the basis of summarizing previous research results, this study suggests that we can combine theory with practice to study the stylistic features of business English letters in depth.3. The Overview of Business English Letters3.1 Definition of Business English CorrespondenceBusiness English letter refers to the simple letters used in various international business occasions or international business exchanges between enterprises. Its main function is used in business activities to establish economic and trade relations, transfer business information, contact business matters, ask and answer questions, and handle specific transactions. “Business English correspondence is a general term for various business correspondence and electronic data exchange in foreign-related business centers. Business correspondence is an obbligato tool for commercial communication and exchange, and it is also an important carrier for conveying business information” (袁继红, 李孝英, 2010(11): 115). Obviously, unlike other ordinary letters, as one of the primary tools of commercial exchange, business English correspondences are constantly used in business activities, and both parties of trade keep in touch through it.In business activities, from contacting businesses, coordinating negotiations, signing contracts to fulfilling contracts, handling complaints, settling claims, each link needs to use letters to pass the message back and forth during this period so that it can realize the willingness of trade cooperation. Therefore, the party seeking for business contacts can make good use of this way to communicate and establish credibility and speed up the process of business through the form of letter, fax or e-mail.3.2 Classification of Business English CorrespondenceDue to the different classification requirements of business English letters, their forms are also different. The following are the most common types:1) According to the different contents of English commercial letters. These letters are widely used in business activities: cooperation intention, promotion, credit inquiry, inquiry, offer and counter-offer, purchase, shipment, payment, claim, insurance and so on.2) According to the multiple effects about business activity transactions. Some come to build cooperative relationships, while others come to consult. There are letters of recommendation, letters of appointment, notices and confirmations, reminders, letters of explanation, letters of congratulation, etc.3) “According to the pragmatical function of Leech, English business letters can be divided into cooperative correspondence, harmonious correspondence, competitive correspondence and conflict correspondence” (黄瑶, 2011: 7).The types of business English letters vary widely, so for business people, it is the most basic requirement to clearly understand the types of business activities to be used and do not make false accusations, to avoid loss of interests.3.3 Basic Writing Principle -“7C Principles”Business English letter is one of the most basic ways to communicate in international trade. Therefore, to write a good foreign trade letter, we must first understand the language characteristics and some important principles of foreign trade letter. The “7C” principle, which is used to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of business English letter in terms of word selection, sentence construction, content, tone and attit