商务英文信函格式

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商务英文信函格式(精选8篇)

商务英文信函格式 篇1

【wtojob.com 国际商贸人才门户-世贸人才网 2006-05-31】 【字体:放大 缩小】

商务信函书信是日常生活中常用的文体,是用以交涉事宜、传达信息、交流思想、联络感情、增进了解的重要工具。书信一般可分为商务信件或公函(Business Letter or Official Correspondence)和私人信件(Private Letter)两大类。值得注意的是,英语 书信的写法与汉语书信有一些明显区别,应特别加以区分。英语 书信通常包括下面几个组成部分:信端、信内地址、称呼、正文、结束语、签名、附件、再启等。下面我们将逐个进行介绍。

1、商务信函信端(Heading)

信端即信头,一般包括写信人的地址和写信日期。一些正式信函的信端还包括发信人或单位的电话号码、电报挂号、电传、传真和邮政编码等。西方国家中有些信端甚至还有单位负责人的姓名、职务和职称等。信端的目的是使收信人一看便知道书信来自何处,何时发出,便于复信和查阅。用一般的信纸写信时,信端应写在信纸的右上角,若字数较多,可从信纸中间或偏右的地方写起。若字数较少,可适当多向右移一些,使整个信端的重心落在右上角。

商务信函信端的写法主要有并列式和斜列式两种。从目前情况来看,前者更为常用。采用并列式时,每行开头要左对齐;采用斜列式时,每行开头逐次向右移二三个字母的距离。例如:

(1)并列式

Fuxing Street

Haidian District

Beijing

Post Code: 100035People’s Republic of China

Tel: 63211234

Aug.20, 2004

(2)斜列式(Indented Form)Fuxing Street

Haidian District

Beijing

Post Code: 100035

People’s Republic of China

Tel: 63211234

Aug.20, 2004

写信端时,先写发信人的地址,地点的名称按由小到大的顺序排列,然后是其它项目和发信日期。具体次序是:第一行写门牌号和街名;第二行写区名、市(县)名、省(州、邦)名,往国外寄的信,还要写上国家的名称;国家名称的前面加上邮政编码,其后可写上电话号码,最后一行写发信日期。如果写信人的地址是机关单位的名称,则将其作为第一行。如果写信人的单位没有门牌号码和街名,则第一行可写上所在班级或专业组的名称;第二行写系、科、室名称;第三行写学校名称;第四行写市(县)、省(州)名称;然后再写邮政编码、国名、电话号码、发信日期等项。

如果使用标点符号,则在每行末尾加逗号,最后一行的末尾加句号。但当前的信件中行末大都不加标点符号,但在每行之内该用标点符号的地方,仍要用标点。特别要注意的是,门牌号码和街名之间要加逗号。月份和日期之间不可用逗号。在西方国家,城市名称之后往往写有字母或数字(如 New York, 103),表示城市的邮政编码。

关于发信日期的写法,应注意以下几点:

①年份应完全写出,不能简写。

②月份要用英文名称,不要用数字代替。

③月份名称多用公认的缩写式。但 May, June, July, 因为较短,不可缩写。

④写日期时,可用基数词1,2,3,4,5,„„28,29,30,31等,也可用序数词 lst, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, „„28th, 29th, 30th, 31lst等。但最好用基数词,简单明了。

日期可有下列几种写法:

① Oct.20, 2004

② 10 May., 2004

③ 3rd June, 2004

④ Sept.16th, 2004

其中,①最为通用。

2、商务信函信内地址(Inside Address, Introductory Address)

信内地址收信人的姓名和地址,写在信纸的左上角,从信纸的左边顶格开始写,低于写信人地址和发信日期一二行,也分并列式和斜列式两种,但应与信端的书写格式保持一致。其次序是,先写收信人姓名、头衔和单位名称,占一二行,然后写地址,可占二至四行,例如:

①并列式

Ms.Joanna Kerry

Peking University

Haidian District, 100871

Beijing

China

②斜列式

Ms.Joanna Kerry

Peking University

Haidian District,100871

Beijing

China

3.商务信函称呼(Salutation)

对收信人的称呼应自成一行,写在低于信内地址一二行的地方,从信纸的左边顶格开始写,每个词的开头字母要大写,至于末尾处的符号,英国人用逗号,但美国和加拿大 英语 则多用冒号。称呼用语可视写信人与收信人的关系而定。给外国人写英文信时,称呼用语要注意以下几点:

①对没有头衔的男性一般称呼 Mr.。Mr.用在姓氏之前或姓氏和名字之前,不可只用在名字之前,例如对的称呼,应该是:Mr.或 Mr.White, 不可是:Mr.Phil。若称呼多个男性,则在姓名前用 Mr.的复数形式 Messrs.。对一般以人名为名称的公司和企业常用这种称呼,例如:Messrs.Black and Brothers 布莱克兄弟公司。

②对女性一般称呼 Mrs.,Madam 或 Miss。Mrs.用在已婚女子的丈夫的姓氏之前,或姓氏和名字之前,一般不用在名字前 Madame 此词可以单独使用或加在丈夫的姓名之前 Mrs.没有复数形式。若称呼多个女性,则在姓名前用 Mme.的复数形式 Mmes.而对以女子名字为名称的公司、企业可用 Mesdames 称呼。Miss 多用于未婚女子,此词可缩写为 Ms,用于姓氏之前或姓氏和名字之前,一般不用于名字之前。

③对收信人的称呼,也可用头衔或职位的名称,不分性别。例如 Professor(缩写为 Prof.),Doctor(缩写为 Dr.),General(缩写为 Gen.)。这些称呼都放在姓氏之前或姓氏和名字之前,如 Prof.(Phil)White等。

④对外公函中对收信人的称呼,可用 Gentlemen(而不是 Gentleman),Dear Sir(s)和 My dear Sir(s)等。Gentlemen 之前不能加 Dear,后面也不能带姓名。用 Sirs 时,前面常用 Dear 一词,但也可单独用 Sir。若收信人是妇女,则无论已婚或未婚,都可单独使用 Madam 或其复数 Mesdames。

⑤对外国高级官员的称呼,如国家元首、政府首脑、部长、大使、公使和特使等,可用(Dear)Sir,(Dear)Mr.Chairman,(Dear)Mr.Premier,(My dear)Mr.Ambassador,Your Excellency(复数为 Excellencies)。

⑥对君主制国家的国王和皇帝等男性君主,可以 Sir 称呼,对女王、女皇和皇后等女性君主,可用 Madam 称呼。有时也用 Your Majesty 称呼以表示。客气和尊敬Your Majesty 可兼指男性和女性,其复数为 Your Majesties。

⑦对王室成员,如太子、王子、亲王和公主等,一般可用(Dear)Sir 或(Dear)Madam 但在正式尊称时,一般用 Your Highness(复数为 Highnesses)。

收信人称呼

先生(男人)Mr./Esq.夫人(已婚)Mrs.小姐(未婚)Miss

夫人、小姐统称Ms.夫妇俩人Mr.and Mrs.两位或两位以上男子Messrs

两位或两位以上女子(已婚)Mesdames

两位或两位以上小姐(未婚)Misses

常见的头衔(汉英对照)如下:

教授Professor

博士Doctor(Dr.,Ph.D.)

医学博士Medical Doctor(M.D.)

总统或校长President

主席或董事长Chairman

副主席或副董事长Vice Chairman

副总统或副校长Vice President

首相Prime Minister

总理Premier

省长或州长Governor

市长Mayor

参议员Senator

大使Ambassador

秘书长Secretary General

一秘First Secretary

二秘Second Secretary

院长Director,Dean

副院长Vice Director

系主任Dean,Head,Chair

馆长Chief Librarian,Curator

阁下Excellency

神甫Father

4.商务信函信的正文(Body of the Letter)

信的正文每段第一行应往右缩进约四五个字母。在写事务性信件时,正文一般开门见山,内容简单明了,条理清楚。在写私人信件时,信写好之后若有什么遗漏,可用 P.S.表示补叙。

5.商务信函结束语(Complimentary Close)

结束语是写信人表示自己对收信人的一种谦称,只占一行,低于正文一二行,从信纸的中间或偏右的地方开始写。第一个词的开头字母要大写,末尾用逗号。结束语视写信人与收信人的关系而定例如写给机关、团体或不相识的人的信,一般用:

Yours(very)truly, Yours(very)faithfully,Yours(very)sincerely,等等。

写给上级和长者的信一般可用:

Yours(very)respectfully, Yours(very)obediently, Yours gratefully, Yours appreciatively, Your obedient servant, 等等。

写给同志或同事的信一般可用:

Fraternally yours, Comradely yours,等等。

写给熟人或朋友的信可用:

Yours, Ever yours, Yours affectionately, As ever, Yours sincerely Yours devotedly,(Most)Fondly yours, Yours excitedly, Intimately yours,等等。

写给亲属或挚友的信一般用:

Yours, Ever yours, Yours as ever, As ever, Yours affectionately, Lovingly yours,(Much)Love, With Love,Lovingly, Your loving son, Your most affectionate, Your devoted friend, Devotedly, 等等,意即:“您的”、“永远是您的”、“您的亲爱的”、“您的爱子(孩子、姐妹、侄、侄女、祖母)”、“您的挚友”等。

写给挚友的信有时也可用:

Yours hurriedly, Yours hastily, Yours in haste, 等等。

写信给挚友,表示歉意时,可用:

Contritely yours, Regretfully yours, Yours in(with)regret, Yours in(with)deep remorse 等。

在欧洲一些国家里,多把Yours 放在 sincerely等词的前面。在美国和加拿大等国,则多用,把 yours 放在 Sincerely 等词之后。Yours 一词有时也可省略。

6.签名(Signature)

信末的签名一般低于结束语一二行,从信纸中间偏右的地方开始写。若写信人是女性,与收信人又不相识,则一般在署名前用括号注上 Miss, Mrs.或 Ms.,以便对方回信时知道如何称呼。有的还有署名后写上自己的职称、职务或头衔

7.附件(Enclosure)

信件若有附件,应在左下角注明 Encl.或 Enc.。若附件不止一个,则应写出2(或3,4,5等)Encls.,例如:

Enc: Resume

Encls:Grade Certificate

8.再启(Postscript, 缩写为 P.S.)

再启部分用于补叙正文中遗漏的话,一般应尽量少用,正式的函件中更应避免使用。

9.私人和公务信函--注意事项

首先,写信者应设身处地想到对方,尊重对方的风俗习惯。

其次,英文信应该行文流畅、言简意赅,避免冗长。这就是说,写信者应用尽可能少的文字表达其必须传递的信息,而且写信者应将其所需传递的信息表达清楚,以免对方产生误解。书信交往,同样需要以礼待人。因而在写信过程中,要避免伤害对方感情,措辞上多选用些礼貌婉转词语。

最后,除了避免语法、拼写、标点错误外,信中所引用的史料、数据等也应准确无误.私人和公务信函--常用句式。常用的起首语有:

1)Thank you for your letter dated Dec.22,1969.2)Many thanks for your letter of Sept.5,1997.3)A thousand thanks for your kind letter of June 5,1997.4)Your kind letter of November 22th arrived this morning.5)Your letter which arrived this morning gave me great comfort.6)In reply to your letter dated 4th July,I want to say„

7)Thank you very much for your letter of August 2 and the gift you sent me on Christmas Eve.8)What a treat to receive your kind letter of May 5th!

9)It is always a thrill to see your nice handwriting.10)First of all I must thank you for your kind assistance and high attention to me.11)With great delight I learn from your letter of this Sunday that „

12)I wish to apply for teaching position you are offering.13)I am too excited and delighted at your good news.14)I am very obliged to you for your warm congratulations.„

15)I am very much pleased to inform you that my visit to your country has been approved.常用的结束语有:

商务英文信函格式 篇2

What importance does this concept of a double messagehave upon our writing and translating?Considered in its most fundamental terms, a business letter may be defined as a message that attempts to influence its recipient to take some action or attitude desired by the sender.This desired result may be of immediate importance, such as the collecting of a bill, or just an intangible attitude like goodwill.Therefore, we must make sure that the business letter is usually more formal than the other social letters stylistically.Considerably, a translated business letter should first be clear, stating its purposes so directly that there is no possibility of its being misunderstood.Secondly, the translated version should be exact, containing every detail which is necessary for translating the business letters in hand.Thirdly, a translated business letter should be concise.And the finally, a well-translated business letter should be courtesy.Here are the details that how a qualified translator of business letters should abide by.

1 Clarity

Dear Ms.Rutt,

Mr.Liver yesterday called our agent David saying that the mistake was his.As a result, his insurance has acquiesced.Therefore, we shall be repaired the full amount of our subrogation interest in his matter.

If this is satisfactory to you, please sign the attached release and forward it along with the copy of our accident report.

Yours sincerely,

F.Middleman

Version One

Dear Ms.Rutt,

Mr.Liver yesterday admitted his blame for your accident on January12.As a result, his insurance company had agreed to repay us the full amount ($2, ooo) for your collision damage.We are quite pleased at their willingness to settle out of court.

If this offer sounds acceptable to you, please sign the enclosed release and return it to us, along with the copy of our accident report.

Yours sincerely,

F.Middleman

Version Two

A business letter, the original, is effective only when it communicates the necessary ideas to its reader with clarity, so is the translated version.This seems to be a simple quality, but it is often ignored in actual practice.Let’s take a look at the following sample rendered from the Chinese version, which are some sentences abstracting from the business letters. (Cao Ling, 2003:23)

(1) The statement in version one, “Mr.Liver yesterday called our agent David saying that the mistake was his.”who does this“his”refer to?Mr.Liver or David?Checking it again in the original, we find that rendering in version two“Mr.Liver yesterday admitted his blame for your accident on January 12.”is just the meaning.

(2) The last sentence is another example:“...and forward it along with the copy of our accident report.”But to whom?The insurance company or writer?So the first translated version is not clear at all.Then the second translated is much better.

(3) The most important event about how to compensate is left out in the first version, as we all know, if a writer or translator leaves out something the reader should know in doing something or forming certain opinion, the clarity of the business letter diminishes.In translated version one, Mr.Middleman did not mention the amount of money the insurance company will pay.So only the amount of compensation is laid out in version two, can Ms.Rutt accept it satisfactorily?

(4) Some others can also make the translated version not clear, just as quoting some jargon (e.g.subrogation interest) , which the reader may not understand easily;the irrelevant information (e.g.agent David) , which not only makes the letter less clear, also does the letter less concise.

2 Correctness

According to the characteristics of business letters (thesource text or language) , the diction must be neat, accurate and easily to read in order to attain success of business instead of some unnecessary frictions or lawsuits.The principle, correctness, is same as the criterion“faithfulness”for any other types of translation;i.e., “faithfulness”—to be faithful to the content of the original” (Liu Zhongde, 2003:24) , and it is the most important in the translation.So is for the translation of business letters.The ideas of the rendered version must be as exact as ones of the original, even more accurate than the latter.Let us see the examples:

(1) 相信阁下业已收到司徒先生的通知:须藤先生意同佐藤先生在原址组建东京商行, 并继续同类业务的合作。

译文1:You will probably have received a notification from Mr.Sudo, he will build a new company named Tokyo Shokai with Mr.Sato and continue in the same line of business in the old premises.

译文2:You will probably have received a notification from Mr.Sudo to the effect that he intends to continue in the same line of business in the old premises, forming a new partnership with Mr.Sato, under the title of the Tokyo Shokai. (qtd.Gong Xueping)

It is obviously to see that the first version can not express the exact ideas of“在原址组建”, the implied meaning which the formerly partnership has been dissolved;“并继续同类业务的合作”the partnership with Mr.Sato is under the title of the new company“东京商行”, not under the style of the other companies especially, the old company.

(2) 兹任命原大和商行的股东——山岛先生为该公司的帐务清算人, 他将负责清偿一切负债并收回该公司的所有欠款。

译文1:Mr.Yamagata, formerly a partner, who has been appointed the liquidator, will discharge all liabilities, and all accounts must be paid him.

译文2:Mr.Yamagata, formerly a partner, who has been appointed the liquidator of the late firm, will discharge all liabilities, and all accounts due to the late firm must be paid him. (qtd Gong Xueping)

A Chinese linguist points out“If you want to make the text concise, the pronouns can not be used any more;if you want to make the text accurate, the nouns should be repeated.”So the translator of the second version adding the phrases“of the late firm”and“due to the late firm”makes the idea more accurate closer to the original.Just as the mentioned above, the exactness is the most important criterion for the translation of business letters.Furthermore, using“big words” (archaism or the elegant and formal words) instead of the“small words”to limit the semantic meanings is still for the purpose of exactness. (Wang Zuoliang, 1987:290) “liquidator”, “liabilities”are more suitable than“receiver”and“debt”to express the business relationships, also prove the view.

3 Conciseness

To be conciseness is to express a message completely in as few words as possible.In business correspondence, this means increased effectiveness and decreased costs.Wordy expressions and redundancies are the major blunders to overcome to communicate concisely.Because English and Chinese are the two different languages, the former is hypotactic, like a tall tree with lots of branches and leaves;but the latter is paratactic, like a flourished flower with many petals.Thus, getting the conciseness, the translators should endeavor to convert the structure from a“flourished flower”into a“tall tree”during the translating of business letters by the means of avoiding wordiness and redundancies (except the repetition used for emphasize, redundancy should be avoided in business letters.

1. 他重复强调, 我们应该遵守规定。

译文1:He repeated again that we should follow the rules.

译文2:He repeated that we should follow the rules. (Sue Kay, 2003:65)

2. 请问误期会有什么后果。

译文1:Please be kind enough to advise us what will happen in the event of a delay?

译文2: (Could you) Please tell me what will happen if there is a delay. (Sue Kay, 2003:66)

3.我公司已召开了关于销售指数的会议。

译文1:Our company has called a meeting to hold a discussion about the sales figures.

译文2:We have called a meeting to discuss the sales figures.

(3) :兹通知阁下:经双方一致同意, 即日解散与贵公司合伙组织的大和商行。 (qtd.Gong Xueping)

译文1:After reaching the mutual agreement, we inform you that the partnership existed between us under the style of the Yamato Shokai has been dissolved.

译文2:We inform you that the partnership hitherto existed between us under the style of the Yamato Shokai has this day been dissolved by mutual consent.

Comparing the each two versions, we can be certain of that the second one is much better in keeping the characteristic of conciseness on the condition that the meaning must be accurate Because, particularly in business, people do not have the time to spend reading long, rambling letters or trying to decipher difficult writing (translated business letters) .And it is worthy to mention that it is better to use one sentence for each paragraph to lay out one subject although the original (Chinese) is full of short sentences of phrases to correct and concise information. (see the example3)

In one word, the principles for Chinese-English translation of business letters are the same as the ones for the other types:faithfulness and closeness, as well as more concise, correct and clearer in order to correspond to the features of the original.Of course, there still existed the other principles, like courtesy, consideration, and completeness, etc, for the translation of business letters.But the three discussed in the essay are basic principles.Only a translator does these well, can he reach the aim of helping people to communicating each other efficiently in the era of business transaction by the means of business letters.

4 Courtesy

To be polite is a basic principle for business letter, so is one of its translation principles.Wherever necessary, do not forget to say“thank you, ”“would you please...”, “we would appreciate it...”etc.however, courtesy in business translation is more than just a well-timed“thank you”or“would you please...”A welltranslated courteous letter should be polite, considerate and tactful.To accomplish this goal, several blunders during the translation should be avoided.

1.Avoid suspicion (避免怀疑)

Phrases like“if what you said is true...”, if...as you allege...”may result in the impression that you seem suspicious of reader’s integrity.This is no good to evoke a favorable reaction.Compare the following examples:

Version A:We received the letter in which you claimed that the timer was defective at the time of purchase. (poor)

Version B:We have noticed in your letter that the timer was defective at the time of purchase. (better)

Version A:If the goods were damage in shipment, as you allege, we... (poor)

Version B:As you mentioned the goods were damaged in shipment, we... (better)

2. Avoid accusation (避免指责)

Whenever you wish to evoke a favorable reaction from the reader, do not accuse or reprimand him or her.Phrases like“you neglected”, “you forgot”, “you omitted”may risk offending your reader with accusation.Try to compare the following pairs of examples and think about your possible reaction if you are the reader.

Version A:You obviously ignored our request that you return the report by registered mail. (Poor)

Version B:We did request that you return the report by registered mail. (Better)

Version A:You did not read the operating instruction for the machine carefully. (Poor)

Version B:To enjoy the full benefits of the new machine you should follow the operation instruction carefully. (Better)

3. Avoid talking down (避免居高临下)

In the translation of business letters, the tone of superiority usually has destructive effects, if the writer and the reader aim to cooperate on an equal basis.Please compare the following pair examples:

Version A:In an establishment as large as ours, we seldom.. (Poor)

Version B:Please notice that it is not our common practice to... (Better)

Version A:We shall allow you to... (poor)

Version B:We shall be glad to have you... (better)

Version A:You may call me at... (poor)

Version B:Please call me at...

摘要:加入世界贸易组织极大地刺激了我国与世界其他国家商务交易的一致性。因而, 商务信函的翻译越来越体现出它的重要性。商务信函的翻译也是一种语言转换, 要求翻译工作者不但要遵循其他文本翻译的标准, 而且更要注重精确、精练、清晰和礼貌等原则。该文作者试图探讨上述原则在商务信函汉英翻译中运用。

关键词:商务信函,翻译,原则

参考文献

[1] Cao Ling.English Business Letters[M].Beijing:Foreign Lan guage and Research Press, 2003.

[2] Chen Zhongcheng.Conciseness for Translation of Legislation [C]//Fang Mengzhi, Ma Bingyi.Chinese- English Translation. Tourism Education Press of Bejing, 1996.

[3] Gong Xueping.Translation of Business English[Z].Lecture handout.Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 7 September, 2012.

[4] Sue Kay.Practical Business writing: A Guide to Improving Writing in English[M].translated by Wang Xiaoming.Beijing: Beijing Institute of Technology Press, 2003.

国际商务英文信函翻译初探 篇3

关键词:国际商务英语信函英汉翻译国际贸易功能对等

在国际贸易日益发展的今天,全世界范围内拉开了国际贸易活动的帷幕。越来越多的人们为了使自己的贸易公司日益壮大,,进出口业务规模越来越庞大,他们不惜一切代价,花费人力物力资源创造更多的财富。然而,在这样频繁的活动之中,撰写国际商务英语信函成了从事国际贸易的基础活动之一。商务信函是商家、厂家与客户之间用于联系业务、沟通商情、咨询答复的主要途径和工具,而要想得到更多的财富,国际商务英语信函的翻译也成为人们目前急需关注的问题。国际商务英语信函翻译质量的优劣直接影响着贸易是否能够成功。为此,有效地掌握国际商务英语信函翻译的规律和技巧是每一位有着业务往来的商人热切渴望的事情。

一、国际商务英文信函的分类及篇章结构分析

在国际商务活动中,商务信函是商务交际中最主要的工具。因为商务信函涉及到商务、外贸操作过程的各个方面,所以,对此类信函的分类及对其相关知识的了解是很有必要的。从商务信函的文体正式程度和内容重要性的视角来看,商务信函可以分为正式函件和便函两大类。从信函的内容和商务操作过程的视角来看,国际商务信函则可分为很多大的类别:建立业务关系、产品推销、资信调查、询盘、发盘、还盘、订购、支付、装运、通知、保险、索赔和邀请致谢等类别。自建立业务关系和信用咨询开始,经过询盘、发盘、还盘、接受、付款、装运,一直到保险和索赔,贯穿于国际商务的整个过程。

对于普通信函来说,国际商务信函的撰写不言而喻地要受到格式的限制。此类信函的格式,不论是齐头式、缩进式,还是混合式,它的篇章结构都是相对固定的。国际商务信函比较正式,风格比较严肃。因此,其篇章结构和行文风格等各个方面是有更加具体的要求的。最完整意义上的正式信函一般是由七个标准部分(或称为基本部分)组成,在信中的先后顺序依次为:1、信头;2、案号及日期;3、收信人及封内地址;4、称呼;5、正文;6、结尾敬语;7、写信人公司授权及个人签名。

另外,国际商务英文信函功能多样,根据其功能的不同,写信人可以灵活选用下列五项可增减的信函组成部分中的任意一项至全部的五项。这些项目同样在信内的出现也是有一定的顺序的:8、经办人;9、事由或称正文标题;10、附件;11、抄送;12、附言。

二、国际商务英文信函的文体特点

十九世纪,英国海外贸易信函所使用的语言已经慢慢趋于正规化,其庄重典雅、严谨规范,使得商务信函独具特点。国际商务英文信函是一种公文性质的信函,其主要内容涉及公事,最终交流的目的是磋商公务,每封商务信函重在表达准确、规范、朴素,主题必须突出,中心意思明确清晰;在文体上有信函自身的风格特征。而在用词方面,商务英语信函大多使用正式词汇,并力求用词简洁朴素,准确具体。在用句方面,强调用句严谨完整,委婉礼貌,较多地使用套语和礼貌用语,注重语气的恰当性并且充分考虑对方的感受,从而使国际商务英文信函体现出完整、具体、清楚、简洁、得体和正确六大语篇风格特点。对文体特点的分析,能够在很大程度上使我们的翻译实践得以指导。

1、国际商务英文信函在词汇使用方面的特点

首先体现的是用词的规范正式。此类信函虽有口语化的倾向,但是,此信函毕竟是一种正式的公函语体,所以在词汇的应用方面会多用书面语代替口语化的词汇,例如:以duplicate代替copy,以dispatch代替send,以otherwise代替or,以inview of代替简单的介词for。其次,体现在专业性较强,表达意思较为准确。此特征主要体现在大量使用专业术语、缩略语、行话及一般性词语在国际商务语境中的较为特殊的用法,例如最为常见的L/C(信用证),irrevocable letter of credit(不可撤销信用证),FOB(离岸价格),CIF(到岸价),C,B,D,(付现提货),Proforma Invoice(形式发票),bid(递盘)。另外,还有大量的一般性词汇的例子:名词document在一般语境中翻译为“文件”,而在商务信函中却是“单证”的意思;0f_fer在一般语境中翻译为“提议”,而在商务信函中是“报价,_发盘”的意思。诸如此类的例子层出不穷。商务信函的功能是传递信息,使得双方贸易顺利达成。所以,国际商务英文信函的语言力求明白易懂,朴实无华,直接传意,不拖泥带水地浪费商务活动中宝贵的时间。

2、国际商务英文信函在句式结构上的特点

在商务英文信函的撰写过程中,人们往往会使用之前约定俗成的套语来进行交流和商谈,因此,国际商务英语信函常会使用一些语法手段来帮助撰写者传递信息,例如使用正规完整的句式结构,其中复合旬、不定式短语、分词短语、插入语、同位语结构以及独立主格结构频繁地在商务信函中出现,适合表达多种层次的复杂逻辑关系,进而充分完整地通过书面语体表述相互关联的意义;还可以使用通俗易懂的套语这一大特色来撰写此类信函;另外,为了使句子保持平衡,或者为了强调句中的某些成分而将此部分置于句首或者突出的位置来使用一些倒装句式,虽然在商务信函中倒装不多见,但当在表示发函的一方随函附上某材料时,在表示一种将来不太确定的可能性时通常会使用倒装的句式来撰写信函。然而,撰写信函的一方若是希望另一方采取某种行动,都不使用祈使句,而是以陈述句来表述自己的愿望,用陈述句表示委婉的祈使意义,尽量使收信人察觉不出生硬或者不礼貌。

因此,商务信函中的礼貌和委婉语气的拿捏是非常重要的,尊重彼此是增进友谊的开始,这样能够使得双方彼此产生好感,促进更加友好的贸易往来关系。

三、国际商务英文信函的翻译策略

人们在日常的英汉互译中,常常会遇到一些让人棘手的翻译策略问题,尤其是在国际商务专业领域进行翻译的过程中,对于英汉语言的准确定位是较为困难的。翻译是个过程,是由

各种活动组成的一个综合过程。翻译过程尽管步骤既有前后也有交错,但必定由五个步骤组成:一是文本阅读,二是文本理解,三是信息提取,四是译文组织,五是译文敲定。有了以上有关国际商务英文信函写作的文体特点和篇章结构特点的探讨之后,我们就能够准确地再现原文的目的语。

1、国际商务英文信函中术语及套语的翻译策略

国际商务活动常常涉及诸如价格条件、付款方式、包装、装运、保险及索赔等各类问题,并在长期的实践活动中已经形成了各种术语、外来词汇、套语和各种习惯表达法,并且大量使用正式词语。在翻译的过程中,我们首先必须准确地理解这些独特词汇的专业含义和固定译法,其次在译文中尽量保留原文中的术语、套语和商务交际的习惯表达模式并保留原文中的正式用语,尽可能使译文在语言、风格的把握方面与原文对等。作为译者,我们应尽可能多地记忆这些国际商务信函中的英语专业术语及其中文对译。请看下面例子:

(1)Please beinformedthat,on account of the fluctuations offoreign exchanges the quotation is subject to change without previous notice.

译文:兹告知贵方,由于外汇的波动,报价随时可能改变,不另行通知。

(2)We are looking forward to a favorable reply.

译文:等候贵方佳音。

2、国际商务英文信函一些特殊词的翻译

英文中有很多词汇除了基本含义外,在特定的环境下有特定的意义,国际商务领域中也是如此。在商务英文信函中经常会出现这样的词汇,他们有其特有的专业意义。只有了解和掌握了这些特殊的词汇,才能准确地进行翻译。例如我们熟知的词汇“market”,既可以表示“市场、销路”,也能够表示,“营销”和“出售”的意思。“the stock market”意为“证券市场”,“market department”意为“营销部门”;还有“confidance”在国际商务信函中就并非“信心,自信”之意了,其意义为“保密”。请看下面的实例:

According to our experience,these handicrafts can fmd aready market in Japan.

根据咱们的经验,这些个手工艺品在日本销路很好。(此句中market为名词“销路”之意)

Any information you may give us will be held in absolute confidence and will not involve you in any responsibility.

任何您所提供的信息将完全在秘密中进行,无须贵银行担负责任。(此句中confidence为名词“秘密,保密”之意)

Your claim should be referred to the insurance company.

贵方应向保险公司提出索赔要求。(此句中claim为名词“索赔”之意,而并非“断言,声称”之意)

At present,we cannot entertain your counter offer,as ourpriceis quite reasonable.

因我方价格定得相当合理,故且前不打算考虑贵方的还盘。(此句中entertain为动词“考虑”之意,并非“款待,娱乐”之意)

3、奈达的功能对等理论对国际商务英文信函的翻译的影响

功能对等理论是美国人尤金·奈达(Eugene Nida)所提出的,其核心概念是“功能对等”。所谓“功能对等”,就是说翻译时不求文字表面的死板对应,而要在两种语言间达成功能上的对等。为了使源语和目的语之间的转换有一个标准,减少差异,奈达从语言学的角度出发,根据翻译的本质,提出了著名的“动态对等”翻译理论,即“功能对等”。

在这一理论中,他指出“翻译是用最恰当、自然和对等的语言从语义到文体再现源语的信息”。奈达有关翻译的定义指明翻译不仅是词汇意义上的对等,还包括语义、风格和文体的对等,翻译传达的信息既有表层词汇信息,也有深层的文化信息。“动态对等”中的对等包括词汇对等、句法对等、篇章对等、文体对等四个方面。根据奈达的理论,译者应以动态对等的四个方面作为商务英文信函翻译的原则,准确地在目的语中再现源语的文化内涵。但是,国际商务英文信函大都以传递信息的功能为主,较少运用修辞手段,一般不存在语言与文化的差异,因此,翻译此类信函时一般不需要大动干戈,多数情况下对源语的结构进行直译即可。

4、国际商务英文信函翻译的结构特征

此外,任何类型的文本汉英互译过程中,我们应该密切关注的是正确理解原文的结构,在理解过程中,注意上下文的语言结构,设法理顺文章的语法结构和内在逻辑关系。对于国际商务英文信函的翻译来说也应如此,我们应该注意其语法结构,从最基本的五种句子类型出发,剖析其句子主干,将其他的定语、状语、补语,以及各种插入语及独立结构排除于句子主干之外。认清句子主要成分之间的逻辑关系,对于准确把握原文意思,正确地翻译出作者的本意有着十分重要的作用。例如:The goods we received contrary to our instzuctions are packedin wooden cases without iron hoops.此句正确的译文应该是:收到的货物是包装在没有铁腰子的木箱里,而这种包装与我们的指示不符。这句话中the goods和contrary to our instructions的位置较近,容易被译为“收到的货物与我们的指示不符”。在完整地分析句子结构和逻辑关系之后,发现说英语国家的人是把最重要的部分放在最前面,而翻译为中文之后我们必须调整语序,要符合我们的中文表达习惯。只要做到这一点,就一定能够确保译文的准确规范,不至于造成误译。

四、结语

国际商务英文信函重在纪实,只求译文简洁、严谨、准确;确保术语、缩略语、具有商务术语性质的词语以及商务套语翻译的规范性和准确性。对于原文中一般性的表述,翻译时应采用简明易懂的汉语进行传译,保留原文的简洁流畅。而对于日期、数量、金额等的事实细节翻译,一定不能疏忽。另外,对于原文的文体之正式性及委婉礼貌程度也应在译文中准确把握。诸如“承蒙、见告、为盼、收悉”等词汇的运用也应随时注意。

中文商务信函格式 篇4

1、称呼 称呼是写信人对受信人的尊称,主要依据相互间的隶属关系、亲疏关系、尊卑关系、长幼关系等而定,一般都用“敬语+称谓”的形式组成。如:“尊敬的王总经理”、“亲爱的刘主任”、“尊敬的董事长先生阁下”等。对某些特殊的内容或与境外华文地区的人员往来还可加上“提称”如:“尊敬的王博士总经理海成先生台鉴”、“亲爱秘书明玉小姐雅鉴”等等。 (顶格写,后面加冒号。)

2、启词 启词是信文的起首语,可有多种表示法。如问候式的“您好”、“别来无恙”;思怀式的“久不通信,甚为怀想”、“去国半载,谅诸事顺遂”等;赞颂式的“新春大吉”、“开张大吉”等;承前式的“上周曾发一传真件,今仍具函,为××事”,“贵公司×月×日赐函已悉”等等。不分对象,不论内容,一律以“您好”为书信之启词,实在极不恰当。此外,公务书信的.启词还可用“兹为、兹因、兹悉、兹经、兹介绍、兹定于”;“顷闻、顷悉、顷获”;“欣闻、欣悉、欣逢、值此”,以及“据了解、据报、据查实”等一系列公文用语,以提领全文。(在称呼下面另起一行,前空两格!)

3、正文 正文是书信的主体,是书信能否达到写信人理想效果的关键。一封信可以专说一件事,也可以兼说数件事,但公务书信应该一文一事。正文要清楚、明了、简洁,并注意情感分寸,不应有昵亵轻狂之嫌,也不可显侮蔑轻慢之意。 (在启词下面另起一行空两格。)

4、酬应过渡 正文结束时,可写几句酬应性的话作为全文的过渡。如“我方相信,经过此次合作,双方的友谊将有进一步发展”。又如“再次表示衷心的感谢”或“代向公司其他同志问候”等等。也有用公务书信的常用结语过渡,如“特此函达、特此说明、特此重申、特此函询、特此致歉”,或“肃此专呈、肃此奉达”,也有“特此鸣谢、敬请谅解、尚祈垂察、务请函复、至希鉴谅”,以及“承蒙惠允、承蒙协办、承蒙惠示、不胜荣幸、不胜感激”等等。 (过渡一下更符合礼仪规范)

5、祝颂词 书信的最后,写祝颂词是惯例。由于写信人与受信人的关系各有不同,书信内容各有不同,祝颂词的写法便呈多种多样。诚祝生意兴隆”等等,有时,往往用简单的一两句话,写明希望对方答复的要求。如“特此函达,即希函复。”同时写表示祝愿或致敬的话,如“此致敬礼”、“敬祝健康”等。祝语一般分为两行书写,“此致”、“敬祝”可紧随正文,也可和正文空开。“敬礼”、“健康”则转行顶格书写。

6、签署 书信的签署以写信人全名为要,不能只签个姓氏或习惯称呼,如“老王、小王、小李、张主任、赵经理”等,而要完整地写成“××部主任张金水”、“××公司经理王富成”或者 “××公司办公室秘书李倩”、“××部业务员刘震”等。今天,许多书信都以计算机制成,但即使已打印了姓名,仍应再以手书签署一遍,这既表信用,亦示诚意。对某些特殊对象,署名后应有具名语,如“谨上、谨呈、敬述”等,以表示对受件者的尊重。 (通常中文信函写在结尾后另起一行(或空一、二行)的偏右下方位置,但一般E-mail商务信函也可靠左)以单位名义发出的商业信函,署名时可写单位名称或单位内具体部门名称,也可同时署写信人的姓名。

商务信函写作格式句型(bec) 篇5

总结常用句型: Referring to previous contact: Thank you for your letter of/dated ….With reference to Further to In reply to

Stating the reason for writing: I am writing to enquire about …

to confirm that …

to apologise for/about…

in reply to your …

with reference to …

Ending a letter If you have any further questions, please contact me on … I look forward to hearing from you soon.in due course.in the near future.注意考试当中的格式问题

题目分类: 订单类 handling order 2 询问类 enquiry and reply 3 投诉类 complaint and apology 4 告知变化类 notice of changes 5 邀请类 invitations

(一)常用短语

称为 Dear ……/ 敬语 Yours……

Dear Sir or Madam----------Yours faithfully Dear Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms Smith---------Yours sincerely Dear John-----------Best wishes(私人关系比较亲密)

信的开头:

We are writing to enquire about …写信是询问关于…… We are writing in connection with … 写信是关于 ……

We are interested in … and we would like to know … 我们对……感兴趣……我们想知道

asking if …感谢(某日)询问是否……的来信 Thank you for your letter of(date),enquiring about …感谢(某日)询问有关……的来信 We have received your letter of(date), enclosing …感谢(某日)的来信以及随信寄来的……

concerning …我们已收到(某日)关于……的来信

如果写信的开头或者是信中要提到某件事情: with reference to… 关于…… further to … 继……之后 with regard to … 关于……

I am writing in connection with … 我写信是为了……

A point in your letter gives us great concern that …我们很关心您信中提到的…… Regarding … 关于……

告知好消息

I am pleased to tell you that … 我很高兴的告诉你/通知你…… I am delighted to inform you …… I am happy to advise you …

We are pleased to inform you that We have pleasure in informing you that We have the pleasure to apprise you of We have the honour to inform you that(of)

坏消息

I regret to tell you that … 很遗憾/很抱歉告诉你/通知你…… I am sorry to inform you … I am sorry to advise you that … We regret that … 我们很遗憾……

说明能做与不能做的事情 We are unable to … 我们不能…… We are able to … 我们能……

We have been forced to … 我们不得不…… 说明原因

This was owing to … 这是因为……(多半为坏消息)Due to … 这是由于 ……

As a result of … 这是……的结果

Because of … 这是因为……

请求采取行动,如果紧急的话,可以加上后面的词组 Please could you … as soon as possible 请你尽快……

We would be grateful if you could …without delay 如果你能尽快……,我们将不胜感激 We would appreciate it if you could … immediately… 如你能尽快…… 我们将不胜感激

道歉

We must apologize for … 我们必须为……表示我们的歉意 We apologize for … 我们必须为……道歉

We are extremely sorry for … 我们为……感到抱歉

询问信息

We would like to know about/if … 我们想了解有关……

Please could you give us further detail about … 请给我们更多有关……的信息

We would be grateful if you could let us know about/if … 如果能告诉我们有关……,我们将不胜感激

We would appreciate it if you could inform us about/if … 如果能告诉我们有关……,我们将不胜感激

轻度抱怨

Unfortunately, 然后直接说不幸的事情发生了,比如,Unfortunately, we have not yet received your payment, we would be grateful if you could make the payment soon.提起注意(用在强烈抱怨中)

I should like to draw your attention to(the fact that)… 我想提请你们注意…… I should like to point out that … 我想指出……

I should like to remind you that … 我想提醒你们……

I hope that it is not necessary to remind you that …我希望没有必要提醒你们……

警告

Unless…

除非……,否则我们将不得不…… If …(not)…, we will be forced to … 如果……不……,我们将不得不…….(二)常用句型 普通结尾:

I look forward to receive your reply/order/products/etc.期待收到你的答复,定单,产品等 Looking forward to hearing from you.期待你的来信

提供消息类邮件的结尾

I hope that this information will help you.期待这些消息会对你有所帮助。

Please contact me if you need any further information.如果需要更多的信息,请你与我联系 Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are need any further information.如果需要更多,请随时联系我

Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.有什么问题,请有我联络。Please let me know if you need any further information.如果需要更多的信息,请告诉我。道歉信结尾

Please accept our apologies once again.请接受我们的歉意

We hope that this has not caused you any in convenience.我们希望这不会给你造成不便。

私人商业信函,即关系比较非正式

开头:

Thank you for your letter/telephone call/telex/fax.很感激你的来信/来电/电传/传真。It was a pleasure to …(meet you at/on…)很荣幸在…… 时间/地点与你见面。It was good to …(see you again at/on…)很高兴在……时间/地点再次见到你。

(hear from you again)很高兴再次收到你的来信。

It was a pity that …(we did not have more time to talk at/on…)很遗憾我们上次没有更多的时间讨论……

I am sorry that …(I missed you when you visited my office)很遗憾你来我办公室时,我没能见到你。

如果需要,可以在上述四个形式之后加上说过或者没有说过的话,It was good to talk to you on the telephone today.I was sorry to hear that you had not been so well.今天能够在电话里和你交谈,真是太好了。听说你病了,我很难过。(It was pity that I missed you when you visited my office last week.I would have liked to have heard all your news.很遗憾,上周你来我办公室时,我没能见到你。我很乐意听到有关你们的任何消息。

信件主体

要求提供消息:I was wondering if you could help me.我不知道你是否能帮我。

提供消息:I thought you might be interested to hear that … 我想你可能会对……感兴趣。抱怨:I am afraid we have a small problem.恐怕我们有个问题

告知坏消息:I am afraid I have some bad news.恐怕,有些坏消息。

结尾

I look forward to seeing you again next time I am in …我期待着下次我在…时,与你见面。If ever you are in London, please give me a ring or call in.来伦敦时,给我打电话或来我公司坐坐。

Please give my regard to Dianna Smith.请替我向Dianna问好。

商务信函中英文 篇6

Kee & Co ., Ltd

34 Regent Street

London , UK(Inside Address 收信人地址)

Dear Sirs :(Salutation 称呼)

We have obtained your name and address from Dee & Co . Ltd , and we are writing to enquire whether you would be willing to establish business relations with us .

We have been importers of shoes for many years . At present ,we are interested in extending our range and would appreciate your catalogues and quotations .

If your prices are competitive we would expect to place volume order on you .We look forward to your early reply .( Body 信文)

Yours faithfully(Complimentary Close 客套结束语)

Tony Smith(Signature Block 签名栏)

商务英文信函格式 篇7

信函格式是被广泛采用的一种公文特殊格式。主要用于发布、传达要求下级机关执行和有关单位周知或执行的事项, 报送方案, 商洽、询问、答复或者说明某件具体事项。

信函格式相对简单, 易操作, 在各级行政机关的公文中广泛应用, 常用于通知、批复、函等文种的公文中。

二、信函格式在《党政机关公文格式》 (GB/T9704-2012) 中的表述内容

发文机关标志使用发文机关全称或者规范化简称, 居中排布, 上边缘至上页边为30mm, 推荐使用红色小标宋体字。联合行文时, 使用主办机关标志。

发文机关标志下4 mm处印一条红色双线 (上粗下细) , 距下页边20 mm处印一条红色双线 (上细下粗) , 线长均为170 mm, 居中排布。

如需标注份号、密级和保密期限、紧急程度, 应当顶格居版心左边缘编排在第一条红色双线下, 按照份号、密级和保密期限、紧急程度的顺序自上而下分行排列, 第一个要素与该线的距离为3号汉字高度的7/8。

发文字号顶格居版心右边缘编排在第一条红色双线下, 与该线的距离为3号汉字高度的7/8。

标题居中编排, 与其上最后一个要素相距二行。

第二条红色双线上一行如有文字, 与该线的距离为3号汉字高度的7/8。

首页不显示页码。

版记不加印发机关和印发日期、分隔线, 位于公文最后一面版心内最下方。

三、各要素编排规则

(一) 发文机关标识

1.发文机关标识的名称。 (1) 按照《党政机关公文格式》的规定, 发文机关标识使用发文机关全称或者规范化简称, 其后不加任何名称。此处区别于文件格式中的发文机关标识, 文件格式的发文机关标识是由发文机关全称或者规范化简称加“文件”二字组成。 (2) 推荐使用小标宋体字, 字号由发文机关酌定, 原则上不大于上级机关的发文机关标识字号。以版心为准居中排布。

2.发文机关标识的版面定位。要注意的是, 分析标准10.1与“版心”有关的表述, 信函格式的版心设计要求仍然是标准5.2, 即156mm×225 mm, 版心下边缘在下页边之上35mm (天头取37mm) , 如此, 首页第一条红色双线实际上处于版心之内, 而第二条红色双线处于版心之下。

以文件格式的版心参数进行对比:

文件格式:公文用纸天头 (上白边) 为37mm, 发文机关标识上边缘距版心上边缘35mm。故发文机关标识上边缘距离上页边37+35=72mm。

信函格式:信函格式的发文机关标识上边缘至上页边为30 mm, 有别于一般格式版心尺寸, 意味着比文件格式更靠近上页边。

3.信函格式版头设计技术思路。在电脑WORD操作中, 以发文机关标示22mm×15mm为例, 信函格式首页的设计技术思路如下:

“页面设置”取上37mm, 设置三号仿宋体、行距28磅, 第二页起, 也不用再另行设置。在相当于版心上边缘向下约1.8573行处[ (22mm-7mm+4mm) /10.23mm/行=1.8573行], 版心第一行起, 回车两行, 将第一行设置为“段后”“0.8573行”, 在第二行输入一个三号仿宋体字为基准字, 在此上边缘约2mm处, 画一条直线, 并按要求设置为“第一条红色双线”, “线形”选上粗下细, 粗细选5磅。然后以第一条红色双线为基准向上, 下页边向下30mm处向下, 在此区域内, 插入“文本框”, 输入发文机关标志, 并按照要求设置字号字体, 将文本框设置为“无填充色”、“无边框”。将发文机关标志与第一条红色双线组合绑定, 并微调到符合规定的位置并锁定, “第二条红色双线”, “线形”选上细下粗, 粗细选5磅, 操作思路类似。

除版头、首页页码外, 其他格式要素编排都参照通常文件格式。

(二) 红色双线

信函格式的首页印有两条样式不同的红色双线。上部位于发文机关标识下方4mm处有一条上粗下细的红色双线, 距下页边20mm处印有一条上细下粗的红色双线。

1.从间隔的位置上与文件格式的区别:

(1) 文件格式红色分割线位于发文字号下4mm处, 与发文机关标识下边缘的距离为3个基准行 (2个空行和一个发文字号行) 加上4mm。根据标准中对基准行的定义和排版系统中对3号字体高度的定义 (16磅) , 把计量单位换算成毫米, 1磅≈0.3527mm, 因此三号字体高度为5.64mm, 三号字体的7/8的高度近高约4.77mm, 故推算发文机关标识与红色分割线之间的距离是 (5.64+4.77) ×3+4=35.23mm; (2) 信函格式的红色双线上部距发文机关标识下方4mm。

2.从红色双线的长度上与文件格式的区别:

(1) 在文件格式中, 红色分割线的长度与版心同宽, 为156mm。 (2) 信函格式中, 上下两条红色双线的长度是170mm, 也就是说, 突破了版心宽度的限制。

(三) 版记部分

英文信函写作误区 篇8

信件是常用文体之一,英文信件一般分为商务信件或公函和私人信件两大类,英语书信写作习惯与汉语相去甚远,本期为大家讲解英语信函写作的几个常见误区。

信函写作常见问题

首先,英文信函写作需要把握信件的整体基调,跟口语大不相同,非英语母语者很难准确把握信件语气;

其次,英文信函常见组成部分,例如称呼、正文、结束语等等存在误区。

信件风格

常见信件类型有咨询信、请求信、投诉信、感谢信等等,不同的信件类型,书写风格不同。

咨询/请求信:当写信咨询或要求某些事物时,措辞要尽量礼貌、放低姿态,例如:

Could you possibly …?

您能否……?

Is it at all possible to …?

……可以吗?

Would you be able to …?

您能否……?

投诉信:写抱怨信的时候,通常使用I expect …,例如:

I expect an apology and a full refund.

我希望得到道歉和全额赔偿;

I expect compensation for my lost luggage.

我希望对我丢失的行李进行赔偿。

道歉信:如果回绝了某些事情,通常需要表示歉意,例如:

I am sorry to say that I can't attend your talk.

很抱歉我不能出席您的演讲会了;

Unfortunately, we won’t be able to provide that service.

很遗憾,我们不能提供此项服务。

此外,在信件中表示同意的时候,一般会表达自己很高兴,很荣幸,例如:

I am delighted to say that I will be attending the conference.

我很高兴告知你们我将出席会议;

I am very pleased to tell you that the deal has gone through.

很高兴告诉您双方同意交易。

信函组成部分

称呼

首先来看信函中如何称呼对方。

误区:很多人总是用“Dear…”作为信件开头;

如果认识对方,可能常常会直呼对方的名字,如Dear Henry或Dear Maria;

如果不认识对方,或者双方为业务等正式关系,使用对方的姓,如Mr. Smith或者 Ms Kinnison。

解析:无论何种情况都要以对方的姓来称呼对方,而不要直呼对方的名;

一般情况下用Ms来称呼女士,除非了解到其偏爱其他的称呼;

如果不知道对方的姓名,一般写成Dear Sir/Madam;

如果只知道对方的性别但不知道姓名,则保留对应的称谓,即Dear Sir或者Dear Madam。

正文

正文写作需要开门见山,简单明了,条理清晰。

误区:讲述过多客套语;

解析:写商业信件时,通常在信件开头即明确陈述写信的原因,例如:

I am writing to complain about the treatment I received on your airline last week.

我写信投诉上周在贵航空公司受到的接待;

I am writing to apologize for the error we made in filling in your receipt.

我为了在填写您的收据时所犯的错误而写信致歉;

I am writing to enquire about whether a room is available next week.

我写信询问下周是否有房间。

有些私人信件也会在开头表明写信缘由,但是口气较随意,例如:

I'm just writing to say thank you for your party last week.

我写信感谢您上周的派对;

This is a quick note to say how nice it was to see you.

写便条告诉您见到您很高兴;

I'm writing to check on our plans for next week

我写信核实我们下周的计划。

注意在正规的商业信函中通常不会将I am缩写为I'm,You are缩写为you're等等。

结束语

信件结尾一般表明期待进一步联系,期待回信,不同信件类型,写作形式不同,例如:

一般的信件,通常写做Looking forward to hearing from you,即期待您的回信;

抱怨信或咨询信,通常写做I anticipate your prompt reply,即希望您尽快答复;

道歉信,通常会再次致歉,例如Once again, I apologize for … and am truly sorry for an inconvenience caused,即再一次表示歉意……,对造成的不便深表歉意。

落款

信件落款也不能一概而论,需要视情况而定,例如:

如果知道对方的姓名通常写做Yours sincerely;

不知道对方的姓名时写做Yours faithfully;

如果是更加表示友好的信件,可能会写上Best wishes或者All best wishes;

而写给家人或者好友的,则可以直接写Love一词。

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