淺析委婉語在商務英語信函中的應用【畢業(yè)論文】

1、<p><b>　?。?0_ _屆）</b></p><p><b>　　本科畢業(yè)設計</b></p><p><b>　　英語</b></p><p>　　淺析委婉語在商務英語信函中的應用</p><p>　　On the Use of Euphemism in B

2、usiness English Letter</p><p><b>　　摘要</b></p><p>　　本文著重闡述委婉語在商務英語信函中的應用，以使商務人員在商務英語信函中能正確使用委婉表達，以達到最好的效果，最終能幫助完成交易。委婉語的產(chǎn)生是從禁忌開始的，當時的宗教禁止使用某些詞匯，對神靈的崇拜，對自然現(xiàn)象的不解，還有對那些人們不愿意說出禁忌的事物，而又不得不

3、指明時，委婉語便隨之產(chǎn)生了。為了使委婉語在商務英語信函中的應用深入人心并且融會貫通，本文首先介紹了委婉語的三個交際功能：忌諱功能、禮貌功能、掩飾功能。在這個基礎上，再深入研究委婉語的三個構建方法：虛擬語氣法、被動語態(tài)法、消極詞匯法。通過前兩部分的大量介紹，再轉到本文的重中之重，如何在商務英語信函中正確地使用委婉語。這一部分的介紹不僅是理論上的詳細解釋，也結合了實際例子的具體分析，通過這樣的知識與實踐的結合達到本文最終的目的。</p

4、><p>　　關鍵詞： 委婉語；商務英語信函；交際功能；構建方法；實際例子</p><p><b>　　Abstract</b></p><p>　　This paper focuses on the use of Euphemism in business English correspondence, so that business peop

5、le could use euphemism correctly in business English letters to achieve the best results, and ultimately to help complete the transaction. Euphemisms started from the taboo, when the religion forbid people to use some wo

6、rds, such as the worship of God, the curious of natural phenomena, as well as those people do not want to say but have to specify. Then euphemism appears. In order to make the euph</p><p>　　Key words: euphem

7、ism; business English Letter; communicative functions; construction methods; practical examples</p><p><b>　　Contents</b></p><p>　　Abstract…………………………………………………………………………...II</p>

8、<p>　　1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………7</p><p>　　2 Communicative functions of euphemism……………………………………...8</p><p>　　Taboo function……………………………………………………………..8</p><p>　

9、　Courtesy function…………………………………………………………..9</p><p>　　Concealing function………………………………………………………..9</p><p>　　Construction methods of euphemism</p><p>　　3.1The subjunctive method…………………

10、………………………………...10</p><p>　　3.2The passive voice method…………………………………………………10 </p><p>　　3.3The negative words method……………………………………………….11</p><p>　　4 Specific analysis on the use of e

11、uphemism in business English letter</p><p>　　4.1Several specific examples of business English letter……………………..12</p><p>　　4.2Specific analysis on the use of euphemism in the above letters…………..1

12、7</p><p>　　5 Conclusion...........................................................................................................18</p><p>　　Bibliography…………………………………………..……………………………20</p&g

13、t;<p>　　Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………....2</p><p>　　Introduction</p><p>　　The word "euphemism" comes from the Greek prefix "eu-" , representative of good th

14、ings and root "phemism" refering to what people say. Oxford Advanced English Dictionary defines euphemism: "Use of pleasant, mild or indirect words or phrases in place of more accurate or direct ones "

15、;Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Dictionary interpreted it as a language form by using some words which sounds indirect and gentle to express something which may be considered as unpleasant. From the above t&l

16、t;/p><p>　　The use of euphemism can be dated back into 11 century, which is closely related with social psychology, the middle class, and the rise of female’s position. When people express topics about health,

17、old, disease, and dead, they extensively use euphemisms. For example, in British, people use “pass away” and “fall asleep” instead of die. Firstly, as the development of scientific technology and social economy, more and

18、 more taboo emerges, which also increase the use of euphemism. Secondly, the prol</p><p>　　Communicative functions of euphemism</p><p>　　Language communication is an important way to maintain th

19、e social relationships among human beings. The use of Euphemism avoids causing the unpleasantness of two communicative sides. Basing on the implication of euphemism, the paper mainly explores the functions of taboo, cour

20、tesy and covering that are helpful for our conscious and correct language using in cross-cultural communication. When people use certain terms, these words refer to the object's image and will be vividly apparent in

21、people'</p><p>　　2.1 Taboo function</p><p>　　Taboo language refers to the words which people can’t say or don’t want to say. It is often relevant to body organs and functions, or religion, i

22、ncluding swearing, vulgar language, and words against GOD. Sometimes people may not use taboo language, but they still have to express their meanings. At that time, euphemism comes into being instead of taboo language. F

23、rom the moment euphemism itself generated, they begin to transform to taboo language. Most of the euphemisms will experience such a tra</p><p>　　Courtesy function</p><p>　　Another function of th

24、e euphemism is to avoid bad behavior and impulse in communication. When forced to be involved in something unpleasant, one can select the euphemistic expressions in order to avoid harming to others’ feelings. In social a

25、ctivities, people always pay attention to courtesy, trying best to avoid indecent words and deeds. Using euphemism, the speaker not only shows his politeness but also often gets the other's goodwill and recognition t

26、hrough taking care of the other's feelings</p><p>　　2.3 Concealing function</p><p>　　A group of diplomatic euphemism also emerged in the field of economy, political and war. Diplomatic perso

27、n is a rich source of euphemism. Because they often try to reduce the severity of international tensions to the minimum to let others feel they express in a vague and only experts can understand their real motivation and

28、 intent. A useful and businesslike meeting (the meeting is useful but serious) between two diplomats is a meeting which can not solve any problem. As a matter of fact, a serio</p><p>　　Construction methods o

29、f euphemism</p><p>　　There are a lot of methods to express euphemism in our daily life and in the business world. From the beginning inquiry, quotation, offer, counter-offer to shipping, insurance, credit in

30、vestigation and to loan payments, businessmen will use a lot of euphemistic expressions. In order to show the euphemism properly, they will not only use euphemism words, but also many grammatical changes of tense, voice,

31、 tone and form of sentences. Compared with Chinese, euphemistic expressions in Business Englis</p><p>　　3.1 The subjunctive method </p><p>　　In daily communications, people usually use subjuncti

32、ve verbs to state their views and make requests, suggestions or recommendations in order to make tone tactful and semantic subtle. In trade negotiations or correspondence, business people often use subjunctive verbs to e

33、xpress their views, requests, or suggestions politely and moderately, which is more helpful to achieve their own purposes in an equal and friendly atmosphere, and also conducive to establish a long-term and stable busine

34、ss rela</p><p>　　Several examples of using subjunctive are listed as follows:</p><p>　　1) If it were not for the regular orders we receive from a number of our customers, we could not have quote

35、d for supplies even at those prices. </p><p>　　2) We wish we could lower our prices but unfortunately we cannot do so. </p><p>　　3) May we suggest that you make some allowance on your quoted pri

36、ces so as to enable us to introduce your goods to our customers? </p><p>　　In the above examples, the use of the subjunctive verbs makes tones be much more relaxing to both parts in statement, requirements o

37、f prices, and determination of prices, which avoids being too sure and absolute, leaves more room for negotiation, and helps the development of business and the establishment of trade relations.</p><p>　　The

38、 passive voice method </p><p>　　In business correspondence, active voice is needed in many cases in order to express a clear position and view of two parties. But in writing a class of refusing, blame or com

39、plaint letters, passive voice is often used so as to avoid being aggressive and make the tone seem mild, so that it can be more accordance with the stylistic characteristics of business correspondence. </p><p

40、>　　Several examples of using passive words are listed as follows:</p><p>　　1) Your remittance in full discharge of this claim at an early date will be much appreciated. </p><p>　　2) You shoul

41、d be informed that the shipment time is February or March at our option and the goods will be shipped in one lot.</p><p>　　3) Since it is agreed that we have the right to reject the goods when they are disqu

42、alified upon examination by China Commodity Inspection Bureau at the port of destination, we regret to inform you that we have to return the goods to you at your expense.</p><p>　　As we all know, active voic

43、e sentences in English emphasize the implementation of those actions, but passive voice sentence emphasize the bearer of those actions, such as the sentences in the above examples "it is agreed", "will be

44、shipped "are the implementation of those actions. "We", "you" have been weakened to the position not to be mentioned. The emphasis is on the obligations and responsibilities based on contract and

45、 commitment, which is more in accordance with the international business </p><p>　　The negative words method</p><p>　　In Chinese there are many kinds of sayings that people will praise or critic

46、ize euphemistically the nature of things, conditions or human behavior, personality, appearance and the like.</p><p>　　For example: She can not be appraised beautiful, but looks strong and robust. The author

47、 use “can not be appraised beautiful” instead of "ugly" so as to avoid the tone are too straight, and heavy. In business English, this euphemistic expression is used widely. In order to make the view statements

48、, requests or suggestions, whether positive or negative, agree or disagree, praised or criticized, anyway, have more place to discuss..</p><p>　　For example:</p><p>　　We feel that your quotation

49、 is not proper because the price for such material is on the decline at present. </p><p>　　The “not proper” in the above sentence actually refers to “improper”. , Although there is no much change in meaning,

50、 but it sounds much more polite and easy to be accepted by the listeners.</p><p>　　Specific analysis on the use of euphemism in business English letter</p><p>　　In the practical business English

51、 activities, business English letters are essential when communicating with foreigners, in which the use of euphemism is a very important part. The followings are some specific cases in the actual letters, which highligh

52、t the importance of appropriate use of euphemism, and the effect from proper use of euphemism.</p><p>　　Furthermore, the readers can know the profound of use of euphemism through specific analysis.</p>

53、<p>　　4.1 Several specific examples of business English letter</p><p><b>　　CASE 1</b></p><p>　　The first letter：</p><p>　　Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 12:54 AM&

54、lt;/p><p>　　Subject: Re: Outdoor Furniture Vendor</p><p>　　Dear Manager,</p><p>　　ABC is a prominent company in Argentina. We are an outdoor furniture vendor to many famous brands, lik

55、e DEF, GHI.</p><p>　　We are writing this email to you with great respect to see if you are looking for new products and new vendors.</p><p>　　Dear Customer’s Name,</p><p>　　Thanks f

56、or your reply! Your English is really good! We are both not English speakers, but really glad we still could commnuicate!</p><p>　　1. Attached you will find quotations!</p><p>　　2. For the armre

57、st, I made some photos to give you a general idea.</p><p>　　2.1 It's ok for you to buy armrests only! The MOQ are 500pcs, fitting 250pc of chairs.</p><p>　　2.2 From the photos, you could see

58、 the armrest and metal tubes are connected with rivets only, so there are not other plastic parts.</p><p>　　2.3 The most usual metal tube's diameter is 30mm. So we have 2 kinds of armrests which can hold

59、 30mm tube.</p><p>　　2.4 The plastic arm's price is determined by its weight.</p><p>　　Therefore, the ex-factory price of </p><p>　　1pc of 5.5cm Armrest: $1.55</p><p&

60、gt;　　1pc of 4.5cm Armrest: $1.35</p><p>　　That means, for 1pc of chair, there needs to be 2 armrests. So the armrests for a chair are 1) $1.55*2=$3.10 or 2) $1.35*2=$2.70.</p><p>　　It's a lo

61、ng email! If you have any questions, feel free to let us know! We are looking forward to your reply!</p><p><b>　　Thanks,</b></p><p><b>　　Jeremy</b></p><p>　　

62、The second letter：</p><p>　　Dear Jeremy,</p><p>　　Thank you for your quick answer and the information.</p><p>　　We are interested in the armrest. I think we will need around 4000pcs

63、, for 2000chairs. If it is possible, can you send us some samples to test and see them? So we can assemble a chair with your armrest in our factory.</p><p>　　Please let me know how we can have some samples,

64、and how much it cost.Next week I will be on my holidays, so we will contact again in April, but the samples can be received here to proceed with the issue.</p><p>　　Thank you.</p><p>　　Best Reg

65、ards</p><p>　　Customer’s Name</p><p>　　The second letter：</p><p>　　Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 1:23 AM</p><p>　　Subject: Re: Re: Re: Outdoor Furniture VendorDear Cu

66、stomer’s Name,</p><p>　　Thanks very much for your reply.</p><p>　　To give you best support, samples are free of charge. However, DHL delivery charge should be covered by your side. I made a PI a

67、s attached.</p><p>　　To make sure everything is ok, I need to confirm 2 things:</p><p>　　1. Please confirm your address is "1234567890, Argentina".</p><p>　　2. Argentina h

68、as a recent policy, that 200 kinds of Chinese products going into Argentina requires "IMPORT PERMIT" from government. Though they are simply plastic armrests, I better make sure they are ok.</p><p>

69、;　　If above 2 points are confirmed, the DHL fee in PI is correct.</p><p>　　If you are not sure about point 2, don't worry. We will send the armrests from Hong Kong, then it's not products of the main

70、land of China. DHL fee is same in PI but delivery time takes 2 more days.</p><p>　　We will send the samples immediately when we receive your bank transfer copy. It takes around a week to deliver to your plac

71、e.</p><p>　　Enjoy your holiday! And if you could wire transfer the money within this week, then when you are back from holiday, you could have samples on hand!</p><p>　　Have a nice holiday!</

72、p><p><b>　　Thanks,</b></p><p><b>　　Jeremy</b></p><p>　　The third letter：</p><p>　　Date： 2011-03-12 21:24:32</p><p>　　Subject： Re: Re:

73、Re: Outdoor Furniture Vendor</p><p>　　Dear Jeremy</p><p>　　Thank you for the info.</p><p>　　1) I confirm my address, is the one you wrote: 1234567890, Argentina</p><p>

74、　　2) I`m not sure about the import permit for samples. I´ve asked to my customs broker, but to make it easier for this time, send them from Hong Kong please.</p><p>　　The bank transfer copy will be sent

75、 as soon as I have it. Everything will be ready here to make the transfer within next week.</p><p>　　I´ll contact next week with my office to make sure that everything is ok</p><p><b>

76、;　　Thanks</b></p><p>　　Customer’s Name</p><p><b>　　CASE 2</b></p><p><b>　　Dear sir,</b></p><p>　　We currently search for 1-2 xx(products)

77、with the following details: </p><p>　　Working space 500 x 200mm minimum</p><p>　　Rotating adapter for round parts</p><p>　　Please could you send us infos and prices about your machi

78、nes? Do you have a Germany distributor? Best regards</p><p><b>　　Apad </b></p><p>　　Dear Apad,</p><p>　　Thanks for interesting in our products.</p><p>　　Our

79、 Model JK-5030, working size500*300mm seems suitable for you. Details are as followings:</p><p>　　However, could you tell us your materials name, dimension, how deep to engrave, so machine confirmed JK-5030

80、suitable or not by us.</p><p>　　Honest to speaking, no distributor in Germany, but sometimes, Hamburger port marks printed on package case of our machine by trading company here.</p><p>　　Could

81、you make an effort to the above information?</p><p>　　Many thanks</p><p><b>　　Steve</b></p><p>　　Hello Steve,</p><p>　　Thank you very much for your offer. W

82、e just need to engrave colored anodized aluminum plates and powder coated steal, so just burn the paint. There is no need to cut something in our company. The Z-achsis should be ok for material until 120mm thickness. So,

83、 I think a 40W laser might be ok for this application. What do you think? Do you have a cylinder adapter available for this machine in order for the possibility to engrave microphones as well? What is the price for the J

84、K-6040?</p><p>　　All the best!</p><p><b>　　Apad</b></p><p><b>　　Hi Apad,</b></p><p>　　Thank you very much for your email.</p><p>　　

85、The answers to your questions as followings</p><p>　　So, I think a 40W laser might be ok for this application. What do you think? </p><p>　　Yes,40w just be ok for you. But, if a little large, th

86、at will be better.60w will be nice. Do you have a cylinder adapter available for this machine in order for the possibility to engrave microphones as well? Yes, pls see attached rotary picture, its diameter depends on you

87、r products diameter. What is the price for the JK-6040? </p><p>　　Attached JK-6040 quote, pls check.USD36000</p><p>　　All the best!</p><p><b>　　Steve</b></p><

88、p><b>　　Hi Steve,</b></p><p>　　I wish you have had a nice holiday. Thank you very much for the infos and for your suggestion with the 60 Watt tube. I just have a few more questions:</p>

89、<p>　　What is the price for a cylinder adapter, what is usable for microphones?</p><p>　　I have found different photos of the JK-6040 in the web. Is your photo the actual one?</p><p>　　How

90、is the data transfer from the PC to the machine? Is it an USB printer driver?</p><p>　　What is the weight of the package and the average transport cost to Germany as your experience?</p><p>　　Th

91、ank you very much in advance.</p><p>　　All the best and let´s keep in touch!</p><p><b>　　Apad</b></p><p>　　Hi expensive expensively friend Apad.</p><p>

92、;　　Thank you for your wishes.</p><p>　　The answers to your questions are as follows.</p><p>　　What is the price for a cylinder adapter what is usable for microphones? </p><p>　　150m

93、m diameter cylinder rotary attachment is USD750</p><p>　　I have found different photos of the JK-6040 in the web. Is your photo the actual one? Yes, We have lots of type for JK-6040,just the color and shape

94、a little different, but working result is the same. like one person, has different hair cutting style, but it is still him, not the others, right?</p><p>　　How is the data transfer from the PC to the machine

95、? Is it an USB printer driver? </p><p>　　Yes, by USB connect machine to PC easy to operating. software is coredrawl, I think you know it well. you can directly put JPG format picture into software, and then

96、 machine working according to that. What is the weight of the package and the average transport cost to Germany as your experience? Weight of package is about 200KGS, and ocean freight from QINGDAO port to Hamburg port i

97、s about USD200 about 35days arrived. Documents about 3-5days by DHL. I hope to cooperate with you and wish we can b</p><p>　　All the best!</p><p><b>　　Steve</b></p><p>　

98、　Hello Steve,</p><p>　　Thank you very much for your mail and for the patient answers. So, I will take one JK-6040 without cylinder adapter. I will take it with my next order. Please send the invoice with the

99、 payment details to me in order that I can transfer 50% to your company account.</p><p>　　By the way, I just tried to reach you via cellphone and Skype but I forgot about your holiday. I had sent my Skype co

100、ntact details to you. Let´s keep in touch tomorrow.</p><p>　　All the best</p><p>　　Hi expensive, more expensively friend, Apad,</p><p>　　Thank you very much for your email. You

101、r order is nice gift for my holiday. Thank you.</p><p>　　Sorry for not talking with you on phone. What a pity. </p><p>　　Enclosed JK-6040 PROFORMA INVOICE, pls check the BUYER NAME, ADDRESS, TEL

102、. and other details, if any not correct, pls kindly let me know. Your skype details are not found in my mail. Could you add my skype (jingke01), so we can talk online easily. Much appreciated!</p><p>　　All t

103、he best!</p><p><b>　　Steve</b></p><p>　　Hello Steve,</p><p>　　Thank you very much for the invoice. Please change the buyer name from xx to xx, xx is only one brand name

104、from one of my products of me and might be a matter of confusion in the custom office when I pick up the package in Hamburg. The rest of the address is perfect. I will transfer the 50% tomorrow asap after I got the new i

105、nvoice. Sorry for the additional work what you have with me.</p><p>　　But I have added your name on my skype list. My skype name is xx</p><p>　　All the best and let´s keep in touch!</p&g