英语商业书信的撰写原则(1)(2)
2014-03-19 01:34
导读：“Thank you very much for your interest in my work；and also thank you for your kind invitation. I do believe I have an opportunity of visiting and working in your laboratory at an appropriate time.
“Thank you very much for your interest in my work；and also thank you for your kind invitation. I do believe I have an opportunity of visiting and working in your laboratory at an appropriate time. I would make a general plan after I finish my current work at hand；and send a report to my institute if necessary. As to its feasibility and future information in connection with the joint research，I would get in touch with you as soon as possible.”此信用缓冲手段作为礼貌策略来减轻拒绝的强度，使收信人感到写信人是周到而体贴的。
缓冲作为礼貌策略的另一种作用是通过作者谦恭的话语来强调团结合作，以显得不那么粗鲁、武断、自负、无所不知，这会使双方感到更亲近，有助于建立和维持和谐关系。如例句：“To maintain our plant’s peak efficiency，we are currently replacing some of our pasteurizing machine with newer models. I feel that the process of moving this heavy machinery into and out of the place may pose a safety hazard to any children present at the time”。
考虑对方的想法是对外贸易的重要原则之一。我们在对外商业活动中，既要考虑本身的利益，又要换位考虑；跳出自我的圈子，寻求既不损害我方的利益，又有利于对方的路子，这才是上策。在商业书信中要很好地表达这种观点。例如：
We thank you for your letter of June 18 and have pleasure to inform you that the catalogue you asked for has been airmailed under separate cover. （你方6月来信已收到，谢谢。兹奉告你要索取的目录已另由航空寄发）。
We would like you to enquire into the financial and credit status of a firm in Milan on our behalf. （请代为查询一下米兰一家商行的财务和信用情况）。
谦虚在书信交往中也很重要。谦虚会使你能委婉地推辞他人的要求，而仍然保持双方的友好关系，不影响日后的交易。尽快回复要答复的信件，如果你无法立即回复查询的信件，最好先将原因通知对方，且告诉对方何时才能有结果。此外，要尊重顾客的意见，即使顾客的建议非常愚昧，批评非常粗鲁，在回信时也不能“以牙还牙”，要控制自己的不良情绪，客客气气地回信。其实投诉者是朋友，一位“老商业”说，投诉对商业来讲是很好的礼物，有利于捕捉商机，改进产品，抢占市场的制高点。所以，要正确对待投诉，善待顾客。
本文来自中国科教评价网
（五）清楚简洁
清楚就是不含糊，能使对方一看就能完全了解你所要表达的意思，不致产生误解。切忌生涩难懂，也不要追求豪华、美丽、哗众取宠的词语。简洁是指简短利索，要长话短说，避免罗嗦和不必要的重复，用尽可能少的文字完整清楚地表达需要表达的意思。以下例句中的第1句中有许多无意义的词和句子，显得混乱不清，而第2句则紧凑简洁。
A1 With reference to your request for an extension on your note under date of March 20，we have considered the matter carefully and are pleased to tell you that we will be willing to allow you an additional ninety days to make payment on your note.
A2 We are pleased to allow you an additional ninety days to pay your note dated March 20.
要写好商业书信，除上述各点外，撰稿人必须具有较高的政策水平，精通标准英语，通晓贸易理论和实务，通晓术语，有熟练的从业艺术。此外，在信写好之后，还应该认真地、仔细地审阅一遍，核查信件是否能符合上述所说的几方面撰写原则。
三、结束语
综上所述，英语商业书信是我们对外商业活动中极为重要的工具，务必很好地掌握它。因此，我们必须不断提高自己的外贸业务水平、英语写作水平，也要加强自己的理论、政策和思想道德方面的学习和修养，以适应我国深入改革开放的需要，较好地完成外贸方面的工作。
参考文献：
1、郝绍伦.商贸英语[M].
电子科技大学出版社,1998.
2、王文贤.英文对外经贸业务函电[M].青岛海洋大学出版社,1997.
3、胡亦武.实用商务英语写作[M].
华南理工大学出版社,1999.
4、连先.商务专题英语写作[M].北京外文出版社,2002.
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论文出处(作者):李少玲
