商務英語信函實用語言特點及語氣辨析

[摘 要] 本文就商務英語信函越來越趨向實用簡潔這一趨勢表現出的語言特點進行辨析，并對針對某一問題的信函的語氣語調做淺顯的探析。

[關鍵詞] 商務英語信函 語言特點 語氣特點 辨析

商務英語信函是一種常用的英語應用文體，它在貿易往來中發揮著重要作用。隨著信息技術的突飛猛進，信息量的劇增，商務英語信函越來越趨向實用簡潔，用簡單樸實的語言，準確地表達自己的意思。本文通過實例進行辨析，希望對您寫作商務信函有借鑒作用。

一、語言特點

商務信函的寫作秘訣就是用平實無華的的語言，仿佛“書面交談”。簡言之，就是自然、禮貌、簡潔、準確地傳遞信息。現代商務信函更多地采用非正式書面語，而不是過于正式。

1.自然真切

盡管每個人都會體現自己的撰寫風格，但要讀著真切、自然，如同當面交談一般。試比較:(1)I have pleasure in informing you...與 I am pleased to tell you...(2)We do not anticipate any increase in prices.與 We do not expect prices to rise.(3)I should be grateful if you would be good enough to advise us...與 Please let us know...(4)Please favour us with a prompt reply.與 Please let me have your comments as soon as possible. 后句用的都是一些簡單明了的語句，信函讀起來自然真切熱情，反而能促進雙方的了解和友誼的建立。

2.直截了當

商人有許多文件要讀，對他們來說，時間就是金錢，因此，他們更欣賞直截了當的信函。試比較:(1)We shall in a position to...與 I shall be able to…(2)In the course of the next few weeks...與 During the next few weeks...(3)Would you be so kind as to let us know...與 Please let us know...(4)I should be glad if you would...與 Please...(5)I would like to remind you that...與 Please note that...， Please remember that...前句都顯得冗長，不如后句直截了當又不失禮貌，讀起來節省時間。

3.簡潔明了

用簡潔明了的詞匯會使你的信函意思更清楚，信息表達地充分、有效，不易引起歧義，更符合現代商務信函的特點。好的信函只要求清楚、準確，從不用多余的詞。試比較:(1)We are in receipt of your letter of 12 June.與 Thank you for your letter of 12 June.(2)I am writing with reference to your letter dated 12 June in which you requested information about the courier services provided by this company.與 Thank you for your letter of 12 June enquiring about our courier services.(3)Enclosed herewith you will find...與 I enclose...(4)Please be good enough to advise me...與 Please let me know...前句顯得陳舊、過時、累贅，而后句就簡潔明了得多。

再者，用簡單常見的短單詞代替復雜華麗的詞。不用 with reference to， in reference to而用 about，不用 due to the fact that，而用because，不用take into consideration，而用consider，不用 with the exception of，而用except，不用for the purpose of，而用 for，不用in the event that， 而用if， when，等等。

二、語氣特點

這里所探討語氣，是指信函的語調， 態度，包含英語的虛擬語氣但不限于此。商務信函表達上一般都比較委婉、含蓄，體現為他人考慮，體諒對方心情和處境的態度。即使是寫信抱怨或回復抱怨，語氣語調的度把握的好也不會有粗魯冒犯之嫌。

試比較:(1)We can not do anything about your problem.與 Unfortunately we are unable to help you on this occasion.(2)This problem would not have happened if you had connected the wires properly.與The problem may be resolved by connecting the wires in accordance with the instructions given.(3)Your television’s guarantee is up， so you will have to pay for it to be fixed.與 The guarantee for your television has expired. Unfortunately you must therefore bear the cost of any repairs.(4)I am writing to complain because I am very unhappy with the way I was treated in your store today. 與 I was most unhappy with the standard of service I received in your store today.

不難看出，前句讓人讀起來感覺不舒服，容易激化矛盾，后句就委婉禮貌的多，有利于問題的解決。當對方的建議不合理或者對您的指責不公平時，您可以據理力爭，說明您的觀點，這時就講究有理有節，語氣語調要把握好“度”，表現出技巧策略，達到預期的效果。

參考文獻：

[1]Model Business Letters And Other Business Documents Shirley Taylor Financial Times Professional Limited，1998

[2]何兆熊:新編語用學概要[M].上海:上海外語教育出版社， 2000