商务英语信函的词汇特征分析
 国际商务英语信函在对外贸易中起着很重要的作用。商务英语信函是商业活动中进行良好沟通的重要手段之一。本文旨在就国际商务英语信函词汇运用的文体特征(大量使用专业术语、频繁使用表达礼貌的词汇、准确运用词汇等方面)分析了国际商务英语信函的词汇特征。通过对商务英语信函的词汇特点展开研究,发现对外贸易交际中使用的、不同于面对面交际及日常信件的商务信函的词汇特征,提出加强商务英语学习者与从事商务活动人员对商务英语信函词汇的正确应用的对策。
关键词  商务英语信函, 词汇特征，对外贸易
1  Introduction                             1
2  Business Correspondence                        2
2.1 The Definition and Classification of Business Correspondence         2
2.2 The Function and Principle of Business Correspondence            3
3  Analysis of Lexical Features of Business English Correspondence       4
3.1 The Use of Terminology                        5
3.2 The Use of Abbreviations                        6
3.3 The Use of Polite Expressions                      7
3.4 The Use of Ambiguous Words                      8
3.5 The Use of Slang, Synonyms and Archaic Words              9
4  The trend of Lexical Features of Business English Correspondence       10
4.1 Loan Words                             10
4.2 Polysemy                             10
4.3 Neologism(with prefix and suffix)                    11
Conclusion                              12
Acknowledgments                           13
References                              14

1  Introduction
The international business relationship between different countries around the world has been strengthened with the gradually rapid development of the process of the global economy. As the result of multinational business and international business activities, Business English plays a very important role. The application of business correspondence has been widely involved in every field of business activities. As professional written style of import and export business, business correspondence is of great importance. At the same time of frequently development of foreign trade, there are lots of economic disputes between companies. Moreover, most of them result from an improper use of words, vague meaning and other reasons in English Business correspondence. As a result, it is very significant to understand the lexical features and grasp the writing skill of business correspondence. It is necessary to study the lexical features of business correspondence and to seek the methods to do a research on the lexical features of business correspondence. Before writing my paper, I have studied many relative papers which are written by some scholars and referred many concerning articles and books. However, when formulate the actual business correspondence , mistranslation, ambiguity, omissions, etc., would exist, which makes it hard to achieve the purpose of the standard lexicon.
This article focuses on the research of its lexical features, which aims at revealing the rules and usages of the language of business correspondence, and which is crucial to the successful realization of business exchanges. We can make an analysis on the language characteristics and writing skills about English business correspondence. Then, it can enhance the writing level of people who are involved in the activities of international business effectively. Furthermore, it can give full play to the function of language expressions and achieve the goal of decent communication.a
The layout of the paper goes as follows. As far as I am concerned, I will divide it into several parts. The beginning chapter briefly introduces the purposes and significance of my study. The second chapter of the paper is about an overview of business correspondence, which includes its definition, classification, function and principle. The next chapter is the most important one, which is divided into five parts. Each part respectively deals with the lexical features of business correspondence engaged in international business activities. The fourth chapter briefly depicts the further development of lexical features of business correspondence. Finally in the last chapter, I will draw a conclusion of the analysis, providing implications on the studying and teaching of English business correspondence writing.
2  Business Correspondence
    In order to introduce the business correspondence, this chapter has been divided into two sections from its definition, classification, principle and function .
2.1  The Definition and Classification of Business Correspondence
According to Chen Rui (2014), correspondence refers to a tool applied by two parties involved in communication to have a good exchange and communication. However, business English correspondence is a means of communication which applies into the economic and trade exchanges. It may be either applied to the English countries or countries with different languages. It is the most extensive economic and trade activity among the communication means. Business English correspondence is one kind of business English, and also belongs to correspondence. Thus, it has the characteristics from two aspects of both business English and correspondence. As a result, to its content and scope, we should analyze from different angles.
  Business English plays a very significant role and promotes the development of economic globalization. What’s more, in the international business activities, there are lots of media. However, English is the most widely used one. So we will focus our attention on English business correspondence. Moreover, businessman should master the characters of the business languages and obey the features of the business languages.
As Chen Liping (2008) points out that from various views, we can make a classification on the business correspondence. Here are some common methods of classification:
(1)Establishing Business Relations
(2)Inquiry Letter
(3)Reply Letters to Inquiries and Requests
(4)Price Negotiation Letters
(5)Order Letters
(6)Payment Letters
(7)Collection Letters
(8)Claim Letters
(9)Sales letters
(10)Job Application Letters
(11)Resumes
(12)Goodwill Letters
(13)Memos and Emails
The types of business correspondences are so various and rich that it is unlikely to list all the classifications. These are the common and frequently-used types of business correspondence.
2.2  The Function and Principle of Business Correspondence
Business correspondence is a momentous section of international exchange. Here, I have summarized its irreplaceable functions as follows:
(1) To ensure the message accurately received
Business correspondence services as an effective way to pass and hold information. Research indicates that people can remember just 25 percent of the information that they have got and the probability of messages being forgotten largely averages up if they merely depend upon oral communication. It turns out that correspondence remains the best form to make sure that your message is precisely got, especially when you are making a description on skilled or extremely specified information.
(2) To serve as a part of company’s record
Business correspondence acts as a part of a company’s permanent record. If there is any question about clients’ orders, or about the details in contracts, or about whether potential customers’ inquiries were answered, you can solve the problems by checking your file copies of letters. Only if you record every incoming and outgoing calls will you really do the same with the help of a phone conversation.
(3) To function as written contracts
    Business correspondence is considered as the contract or agreement which is literal and entirely formed by the courts. They are binding on companies and independent suppliers or consultants. For example, when the buyers make a counter-offer or order with sellers on their own accord, which includes all conditions and necessary terms, the sellers’ receiving finishes the tranction. As a result, a contract of an agreement is binding on both parties.
(4) To act as public relations intermediary
As a formal or informal material public relation, business correspondence can help to establish stable business relationships among sellers and their customers, suppliers, creditors, and other public groups. The result shows individual’s minds and even his individuality to people whom he might never meet individually or make telephone calls. The expression and the style of language the writer employs in his correspondence make a corresponding impression of him and his business on the reader.
The most effective business correspondence should be straightaway, friendly and polite. We should remember that business correspondence is of great importance in the trade relations. When we write it, we need to put some specific principles into use. In 2001, Lu Mozhu, Zhuang Xueyi and Zhou Yaozong put forward the “7C” principles which are generally recognized today. They are as follows:
(1) Courtesy
The tone of word expressions should be polite and decent which can represent one’s professional accomplishment. The most important manner is to respond to others in time and the most touching manner is that never doubt even fuss about others’ honesty. Different opinions must appear in the business contacts. However, courtesy and communication could resolve differences without affecting the good relations of both sides.
(2) Consideration
    This is also a principle which is stressed when formulating business letters: standing in the position of others. When drafting the business letter, we should always pay attention to others’ opinions, and to express ourselves according to the others’ mode of thinking. In this way, our communication will be more successful and smooth.  
(3) Correctness
    To our best, expressions and punctuation should be correct. Because most of the content of business correspondence involves the obligations, rights and stakes of both sides in it. If there are any mistakes, it must cause some unnecessary trouble.
原文链接：http://www.jxszl.com/wgy/yy/25999.html