摘 要
随着全球化的快速发展，各国间的贸易和业务交流越来越普遍。作为一种普遍的交流工具，商务英语信函在国际贸易中有着举足轻重的作用，恰当迂回地在商务英语信函中表达负面信息，对企业来说大有裨益。为了更有效、礼貌地表达负面信息，本论文通过对模糊语、委婉语、礼貌原则、低调陈述、和间接表达等理论的应用以及商务英语信函实例来研究分析商务信函中负面信息的表达策略。
详细分析之后，按照建议方式表达负面信息效果显着，目标明确。希望本论文的研究能为以下将详述理论的理解和促进负面信息的有效表达并为国际贸易合作提供帮助。
关键词 ： 商务英语信函,负面信息,理论应用,实例。
Qi Lijun
As the rapid development of globalization, the commerce among nations hasbecome widespread and business communication also turns out to be universal.
Business English correspondence, as one of the most popular communication tools,plays an essential role in international business trade and it will be of great advantagefor enterprises to convey negative information in an appropriate and roundaboutmanner. In order to express negative information more effectively and politely, thisthesis researches on various kinds of strategies in business English correspondence bythe application of theories, including vague language, euphemism, politeness principle,understatement, and indirect approach, and the cases from business Englishcorrespondence. After the detailed analysis, the effect of the suggested ways ofexpressing negative information is identified and the realization of its purpose isspecific. It is hoped that the findings of this thesis will provide an insight into thetheories elaborated as below and facilitate the effective expression of negativeinformation and cooperation of international business trade.
Key Words : business English correspondence; negative information; the applicationof theories; cases 。
Chapter One Introduction
The integration of global economy is a general trend which cannot be halted, andthe exchange of politics, economy and technology becomes more and more frequent
English, as a popular communication language, has become an important tool used inbusiness English correspondence. In international trade activities, informationtransmission is ubiquitous and there are two aspects that can affect the receiving party,one is the content of information and the other is the way of expression. For thereceiver, information is roughly divided into three parts, which are positive, neutraland negative information. Positive and neutral information can be expressed directly,but it is a plight for people to express and accept negative information. It is a fatalissue for enterprises to express negative information effectively and politely,otherwise it will affect the normal conduct of business activities or cause some unduedamage to the firm. Therefore, this thesis focuses on the topic of expressing negativeinformation in business English correspondence.
It is not just the information content, but also the way of expression that decideswhether business partners can calmly accept that. Under the guidance of the followingtheories, including vague language, euphemism, politeness principle, understatement,and indirect approach, this paper applies authentic cases from business Englishcorrespondence to demonstrate the effects of thoughtful expression of negativeinformation.
Chapter Two Business English Correspondenceand Negative Information 。
It is inevitable to convey negative information to other parties when dealing withinternational businesses and the correspondence should be paid much more attention,for it is an effective and convenient medium of exchanging messages. As for theimportance of business English correspondence and the inevitability of negativeinformation, the thesis centers on the two themes, bases on theoretical principle andputs forward diverse methods to convey information more accurately and effectively.
2.1、 Business English correspondence 。
In recent decades, the dramatic development of international trade has beenachieved, and as one of the means of business communication, business Englishcorrespondence has been playing a decisive role in enhancing mutual understanding,establishing business approach, exchanging business information, maintaining andpromoting good relationship, and facilitating the development of internationaleconomy.
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2.1.1、 Definition of business English corresponden.
2.1.2 、Writing principles of business E nglish correspondence .
2.2 、Negative information.
2.2.1、 Definition of negative inf orm ation.
2.2.2 、Writing significance of neg ative information
Chapter Three The Expression of Negative Information in Business English Correspond e.
3.1、 Vague langau
3.1.1、 Definition of vague language
3.1.2 、Application of vague language .
3.2.1 、Definition of euphems.
3.2.2、 Application of euphemism
3.3 、Politeness principle.
3.3.1、 Definition of politeness principle.
3.3.2 、Application of politeness principle
3.4.2 、Application of understatement .
3.5 、Indirect appr oach.
3.5.2 、Application of indirect approach .
REFERENCES .
ACKNOWL EDGEMENTS
Chapter Four Conclusion
This thesis studies the expression of negative information in business Englishcorrespondence through analyzing cases from five aspects, including vague language,euphemism, politeness principle, understatement, and indirect approach. To beginwith, the understanding and writing principle of business English correspondence isgiven to emphasize its importance in the global market. It is an essential prerequisiteto strengthen the expression of negative information because of its unavoidableexistence and writing significance. Then the detailed analysis for the five strategies isexplained one by one through examples. Vague language is ambiguous, and has moreideas and purposes beyond words. It is significant to apply vague language to conveynegative information in business letters for it can relieve tense situations amongparties, strengthen business relationships, and create an harmonious atmosphere.
There are various forms to present euphemism, but all is to make a harsh or negativemessage into gentle and roundabout one. Politeness principle shows respect andpoliteness to readers, just as its name implies. Describing one thing in a reverse way isone of the forms of understatement, which is useful to weaken the negative influenceof bad news. Indirect approach is applied to express negative information indirectlyand the tactful usage aims to buff the negative effect for business activities. The studyshows that all the five strategies play momentous role for the expression of negativeinformation in business English correspondence and in the international business.
It is indispensable to write negative information and is valuable to study itsexpression. Limited by the length of the thesis, this paper is just a small project, andother expressing strategies such as pragmatics, rhetoric, and cooperative principlehave not yet been expanded. It is suggested that a longitudinal and transverseinvestigation on the expression of negative information in business Englishcorrespondence should be conducted sometime.
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