在国际商务活动日益增多的今天,特别是中国加入世界贸易组织(WTO)后,越来越多的人士接触到涉外商务工作,而作为国际交往的主要语言--商务英语日显其重要性,人们须经常撰写商务英语应用文如商务信函、便函、传真稿、广告单、调研报告等.规范得体的商务信函、文件不仅展示出一个人的英语写作能力,更体现他所服务的企业或机构的形象.一封优秀的商务信函在商务活动中可以带来巨大的经济效益和良好的社会效果,反之则会破坏企业或机构的形象,甚至会蒙受意想不到的经济损失,商务英语信函在商务活动中起着举足轻重的作用.本文就在现代商务环境下,商务英语信函的语言特色及其风格进行探讨.

商务英语信函的写作指导

信函要求：

1、 研究收信人的兴趣所在

2、 采用恰当的语气

体谅对方的态度(You-Attitude) / 自我为中心的态度(I-Attitude or We-Attitude)。

3、语气自然真诚

请比较下面两组例句：

Instead of

Say

I have pleasure in informing you．．．

I am pleased to tell you／to say．．．

4、言简意赅

5、有礼有节，善解人意

礼貌用语，如your kind enquiry，your esteemed order，your valued custom

6、避免行文冗长

请比较下面两组例句:

Instead of

Say

Please see that an enquiry is conducted to determine the reason.

Please find out the reason.

7、避免陈词滥调

请比较下面的例句：

OPENINGS

Instead of

Say

Adverting to your favour

Re (your letter)

The writer, wished to acknowledge

Referring to your letter

Or

Thank you for your letter

We are in receipt of

We began to acknowledge

We have to acknowledge

We have received

We beg to inform you

We beg to think you

We are writing to inform you

We thank you

Your esteemed favour to hand

Your letter to hand

Yours to hand

We have received your letter

ENDINGS

Instead of

Say

The favour of your early reply will be obliged

I shall be glad to hear from you.

Assuring you’d our best attention at all times

We beg to remain

We remain

Awaiting the favours of your early reply

Omit all these.

MISCELLANEOUS

Instead of

Say

as per

according to

idem., inst., prox., ult.

name the month

if it is within our power

if we can

it will be our constant aim.

we shall try

of even date

of today

only too pleased to

very glad to

per

by

Please be good enough to advise us

please tell us

take an early opportunity

act promptly

yesterday' s date

Yesterday

your communication

your letter, phone, message, etc.

your good self

you

your favor

yours of the 15th

your letter

your letter of the 15th

Under separate cover

separately, or better still,

by registered post, etc.