商務(wù)信函的英文書(shū)寫(xiě)規(guī)則[3]

商業(yè)書(shū)信必須寫(xiě)得正確,因?yàn)樗婕暗劫I(mǎi)賣(mài)雙方的權(quán)利、義務(wù)和厲害關(guān)系,是各種商業(yè)單據(jù)的依據(jù)。廣義的說(shuō),商業(yè)書(shū)信的正確性表現(xiàn)在:
(一)運(yùn)用正確的語(yǔ)言水平
(二)敘述得正確
(三)數(shù)字要正確
(四)正確理解和運(yùn)用商業(yè)術(shù)語(yǔ)
(五)合適的寫(xiě)作技巧或方法,以及正確運(yùn)用其他的六個(gè)"C"。
(一)正確的語(yǔ)言水平
(1)、正式的和非正式的語(yǔ)言水平所用詞匯比較:
formal informal
terminate
domicile
deem
transpire
conflagration
edifice
endeavor
obtain; procure
peruse
remunerate
utilize
subsequent
ascertain
contingent upon
anticipate
interrogate end
home
think(or: believe)
happen
fire
building
try
get
read or study
pay
use
next or following
find out
depending on
expect
ask
(2)、正式的和非正式的語(yǔ)言比較
formal informal
Will attain the age of 18 years. Will be 18 years old
Render us more detail
We will institute a mail search Send us more information
We will ask the post office to send out a tracer.
We thank you in anticipation of this courtesy and assure you that it will be a pleasure to serve you in a similar manner We shall appreciate your helping us. Let us know when we can return the favor.
Inform me of your intentions as to the liquidation of this balance Let me know when you can settle this account.
Give consideration to a plan. Consider a plan
This plan will effect a saving of $10,000. This plan will save $10,000.
To effect certain modifications in a procedure contingent upon the concurrence of management To make certain changes if management agrees.
The conclusions ascertaind from a perusal of the pertinent data is that a lucrative market exists for the product in this vicinity.
The data studied show that the product is in good demand in this area.
(3)、避免使用不標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的語(yǔ)言
不要說(shuō) 應(yīng)該說(shuō)
ain''t
hadn''t ought
irregardless
nohow
in regard to
can''t hardly
between you and I
where ….at isn''t, aren''t
shoudn''t
regardless
anyway
regarding
can hardly
between you and me
where
下面的內(nèi)容是用三種不同語(yǔ)言水平的比較參考:
Formal: Although Item 12 is enumerated in the report, the writer has ascertained that it is currently not in the organization''s inventory or in the writer''s possession.
Informal: Although Item 12 is listed in the report, it''s not in our stock now and I don''t have it either.
Standard: Irregardless of the report that item ain''t on our shelves now, and I haven''t got it either.
(二)敘述得正確
商業(yè)書(shū)信的內(nèi)容要敘述得正確,既不能說(shuō)得不夠(Understatement),更不能說(shuō)得過(guò)頭(Overstatement)。
例一: This stove is absolutely the best (or: the very best) on the market.
(這種爐子是市場(chǎng)上絕對(duì)最好的爐子。)
這句話(huà)是用來(lái)介紹商品的,但沒(méi)有具體介紹商品的性能,而是抽象地?cái)喽ㄟ@種爐子是“市場(chǎng)上最好的”。這樣介紹商品,不但不能達(dá)到推銷(xiāo)的目的,反而使人對(duì)寫(xiě)信人有“賣(mài)狗皮膏藥”的感覺(jué)。
改寫(xiě):
Our model A195 is designed on modern lines and gives, without any increase in fuel consumption, 25% more heat than the older models. So you will agree that it is the outstanding stove for economy of fuel.
(我們的A195型爐子是按近代樣式設(shè)計(jì)的,在不增加燃料消耗的情況下,比其他各種舊式爐子溫度高25%。所以,你會(huì)同意,這是個(gè)優(yōu)良的節(jié)約燃料的爐子。)
(三)字要正確
做對(duì)外貿(mào)易離不開(kāi)數(shù)字。對(duì)商業(yè)書(shū)信中的數(shù)字的正確性要特別加以注意,有時(shí)“失之毫厘,差之千里”。甚至引起不同的理解。
(a)“以上”,“以下”,“以前”,“以后”,“從……到……”等的表達(dá)法。
$2 or (and) above(over) 二美元和二美元以上
60dozen or (and) up (upward, upwards) 60打和60打以上
2% or (and) more 2%和2%以上
an order for 50 gross or upward 50羅或50羅以上的定單
an order for not less than 50 gross 不少于50羅的定單
5% up to 10% inclusive 5%到10%
over 5% up to 10% inclusive
