商务会议英文邀请函（精选8篇）
亲爱的(姓)先生/女士：
We would like to invite you to attend the located at on at***.It is our great honor to have you as our guest. We are hoping that we will get the same support from you.
我们非常想邀请您参加在某天某时间举办的某活动。我们感到非常荣幸能邀请您作为我们的出席嘉宾，同样也对您作为我们的(顾客/客户/合作伙伴)表示感谢。我们希望能一直得到您的支持!
The event is prepared in the intention to show our acknowledgment to our most important. Therefore this will be an outstanding opportunity for us to show appreciation of your business, but it the sample time to strenghten our cooperation.
筹备活动的目的.在于对重要的(顾客/客户/合作伙伴)表示感谢。因此，这将是一次绝佳的机会让我们对您的商业来往表示感谢，此外，这也是加强我们合作的好时机。
Please come early so that we can find a comfortable seat for you. We would appreciate if you can attend this event as you are one of out top.
请您来早一点以便于我们为您安排座位。如果您能作为顶级的(客户/合作伙伴)前来参加此次活动我们将不胜感激。
Please let us know if you are attending the event or not by ***.
无论您***(日期)是否前来，请告知我们。
Hoping for your presence on that day. We look forward meeting you. 希望您前来出席，期盼与您相见!
Regards,
致敬
商务合同英语作为一种具有规约性的语言的分支, 有其独特的句式风格。它是以英语共同语为基础、在商务活动中形成和使用的, 既具有商务英语特点又具有法律英语特点的语言。商务合同英语属庄重文体 (frozen style) 或正式文体 (form al s tyle) , 即各种英语中正式程度最高的一种。那么如何练就快速, 准确理解, 翻译和制作英文商务合同?如何确保自己草拟, 翻译的英文合同既符合“法言法语”及突出合同英语的具体特点, 又不失英语的普遍的规律, 这就要求我们了解和掌握英文合同的文体特征, 以及英汉两种语言在思维方式和表达方式上的差异。本文将着重对英文商务合同的句式结构和用词特征进行分析, 进而探讨英文商务合同的文体特点。
一、英文商务合同的句式结构特点
首先, 由于英文商务合同是具有法律约束力的合约, 它不同于日常用语, 是一个专业性很强的语言, 其性质决定了其具有措辞缜密严谨、准确规范、条理清楚的文体特征。而合同语言句子的冗长而复杂最能体现这个特征, 如下句:
Should the Seller fail to make delivery on tim e as s tipulate d in the Contract, w ith the e xce ption of Force Maje ure caus e s s pe cifie d in Claus e 21of this Contract, the Buye r s hall agre e topos tponethede live ryonthe condition that the Se lle r agre e to pay a pe nalty w hich s hall be de ducte d by the paying bank from the paym e nt unde r ne gotiation.
在翻译英语这个长句时, 可先分析原句的逻辑层次关系, 然后再按照汉语商务合同的表达特点和表达方式, 将原句结构重新整合、调整, 把长句的从句或短语化成句子, 分开叙述。我们可以将句子翻译成:除合同第21条不可抗力原因外, 如卖方不能按合同规定的时间交货, 买方应同意在卖方支付罚款的条件下延期交货。
英文商务合同文体中完整长句的使用可以准确界定合同当事人的有关权利与义务, 排除被曲解、误解或出现歧义的可能性。句子的状语 (从句) 和定语 (从句) 等附加成分不仅多, 而且常居于明显的位置, 对逐句意义进行解释、限制或补充, 一则可以体现这种文体庄严的风格, 二则对方式、地点以及时间等进行了限制, 从而使商务合同不存在任何漏洞, 避免今后可能发生的争端, 以维护双方的合法利益。
其次, 合同文件旨在对人们的行为做出规定, 规范有关各方的行为。在没有具体人物执行某一动作, 或表达重点在于动作本身而不在动作执行者的情况下, 使用被动语态恰恰适合商务合同英语庄重刻板的文体特点。无人称性的使用突出了文本的内容而不是强调文本的产生者和接受者。因而在合同英语中被动语态的句子经常出现, 如下句:
Any dis pute aris ing from or in conne ction w ith the Contract s hall be s e ttle d through frie ndly ne gotiation.
译:凡因本合同引起的或与本合同有关的任何争议应协商解决。
再次, 在英文商务合同中, 经常会将否定提前, 或是否定词放在情态动词或助动词之前, 构成陈述语序, 或是否定词放在句首, 然后情态动词或助动词与主语位置调换, 构成倒装语序。
二、英文商务合同的用词特点
(一) 频繁使用专业术语
在商务合同英语中可以找到大量的专业术语 (technical terms) 。专业术语具有国际通用性, 意义准确, 无歧义。为了准确地描述和表达商务活动中的各种单据、条款、交易的环节和双方所要承担的权利和义务, 专业术语在商务合同中频繁使用。如:
Te rm s of Paym e nt:By confirm e d, irre vocable, trans fe rable and divis ible le tte r of cre dit in favor ofpayable at s ight w ith TT re im burs e m e nt claus e/days’/s ight/date allow ing partials hipm e nt and trans s hipm e nt.The cove ring Le tte r of Cre ditm us tre achtheSe lle rs be foreand is to re m ain valid in.China until the 15th day afte r the afore s aid tim e of s hipm e nt, failing w hich the Se lle rs re s e rve the right to cance l thisSale sContract w ithout furthe r notice and to claim from the Buye rs for los s e s re s ulting the re from.
在这个句子中, Terms of Payment (付款) 、confirmed, irrevocable, transferable and divis ible le tte r of cre dit (保兑的、不可撤销的、可转让的、可分割的信用证) 、tim e of s hipm e nt (装船日期) 等等都属于专业术语。
(二) 多用古体语
古体语在现代英语中, 甚至是书面语中都很少出现, 但在英文商务合同中却大量存在。古体语的使用不仅使英文合同显得庄重正式, 也体现了法律公文的结构严谨逻辑严密, 言简意赅等特征, 可以有效地避免歧义和误解。
古体语主要是由here, there或w he re加上in, by, afte r, unde r, upon, w ith等词构成的词语。如:
he re afte r=afte r this tim e;in the future今后;此后
he re by=by m e als of以此方式, 特此
he re in=in this docum e nt此种, 于此, 在此文件中
the re to=to that到那里
w he re by=by w hat;by w hich由此, 按, 靠那个
w he re on=on w hat;on w hich在那上面
(三) 使用同义词和相关联的词
在英文商务合同中, 为了体现法律公文的特点, 达到词意传达的准确性和完整性, 避免语义模糊现象引起的误解, 常出现同义词和词义相关联的词汇成对使用现象, 这种行文方式体现了经贸合同的严谨、表达正规的特征, 是商务人士沿袭传统的惯例而采用的约定俗成的表达方式, 在对这类同义词或近义词并列词组的理解时, 不能机械的等同对待, 不要将所有并列词组中的两个词语分别理解, 有的则只需将并列的两个词组看作一个整体来看。如:
Thisagre e m e ntism adeand e nte re d into by and be tw e e n Party A and Party B.
这个例句中的两个同义词“by and be tw e e n”意为“由某人, 且在两者之间”, 表示合同是有双方达成并签订的, “by andbe tw e e n”被视为一个整体, 通过并列使用两个具有相同含义的词语, 排除了一次多义的现象引起的歧义, 体现了经贸合同的严谨性和正式性。
又如:In accordance with the Agre e m e nt, both Party A and Party B prom is e to pe rform the contract.
译:甲乙双方同意按约定履行合同。
The contractor s hall fulfill all of its dutie s and obligations in carrying out its w ork and s e rvice s he re unde r.
译:承租人必须忠实守信和履行下列各项规则。
这两个例句中的perform, fulfill虽然都表示执行、履行的意思, 都可以用在contract之前, 表达“履行合同”。但是, 在具体选用时却要有区别:“perform”在法律上表述的含义是to do what one party is oblige d to do by a contract;fulfill的含义是to do e ve rything w hich is prom is e d in a contract。所以使用该词, 可以辨别合同方的义务和权责。
综上所述, 英文商贸合同是一种特殊文体, 从句式结构特点上看, 结构严谨、意蕴深刻、思维缜密、逻辑性较强;从用词特点来看, 合同英语用词精练、表意准确、规范严谨。英文商务合同的语言遵循了一般的语用原则, 但更侧重于语言的严谨、准确, 即质准则和量准则, 这就便于维护当事人的合法权益, 以免因为语用的不当而导致双方的纠纷。了解和分析英文商务合同的文体特点, 能够帮助我们正确认识语言现象, 而且对于提高语言运用的有效性、得体性和语言交际能力是大有帮助的。
参考文献
【1】宋国双商务合同英语的句式特点及其应用[J]商业视角2008 (7)
【2】陈丽英谈谈合同英语的几点用词特征[J]职业圈2007 (24)
【3】雷超国际商务合同英语的文体特色研究[J]黑龙江对外经贸2009 (2)
具体来说，英文商务电子邮件的主体段应具备两大特征：统一性和连贯性。统一性包括如下三点：①主体段中的每一段应围绕一个要点展开叙述；②每一段的内容必须完整，独立成体；③主体段的不同要点之间应存在内在的统一性，围绕同一个大主题展开叙述。连贯性是指主体段中的段与段之间以及句与句之间应该连贯、顺畅。下面我们通过相应的案例来阐述和分析这两大特征。
统一性
我们通过下面的案例来分析如何实现英文商务电子邮件主体段的统一性。
案例1
The main line of our business is air-conditioners export. Would you please give me the name of your bank? Illustrated catalogues and pricelists will be airmailed at your request.
分析
上述这段话为一封商务电子邮件的主体段。邮件撰写人为某外贸公司的业务员，写这封邮件的主要目的是想和对方公司建立业务联系。
这一主体段存在一个很突出的问题：将三个不同的要点堆在了一个段落中，而且这三个要点之间没有统一的主题，导致收件人读起来很费解。如上文所述，邮件主体段的正确写法是每一段只包含一个要点，且不同的要点之间应存在内在的联系，以实现内容上的统一。就上述这一主体段而言，虽然三个句子在阐述不同的要点，但实际上三者之间存在一个内在的联系，即与对方公司建立业务联系。因此，我们可以将上述的内容略作扩展，通过添加适当的语句来实现不同要点之间的统一性。我们来看修改后的邮件主体段。
修改后的主体段
Our bank has informed us that you need an air-conditioner supplier. As our main line is exporting air-conditioners, we cordially propose that we become partners.
If you agree, please send us your bank’s name so we can better know your company.
We will send you our illustrated catalogue and pricelist as soon as we receive your enquiry.
连贯性
我们同样通过一个案例来分析如何实现英文商务电子邮件主体段的连贯性。
案例2
I’m very glad to inform you that the 75 hopper railway cars supplied by your company are estimated to arrive at Destination Puerto Ordaz in December. So may I have the pleasure to invite you to our company located at Puerto Ordaz, Estado Bolivar? We will hold a celebration ritual of 75 hopper railway cars. In the past two years, we had a very satisfying cooperation, and we look forward to developing future business with you. We hope you could come to Puerto Ordaz on December 3rd.
分析
上述这段话为一封电子邮件的主体段，邮件撰写人为某外企的客户经理。他写这封邮件的目的是邀请对方参加庆祝典礼。
这一主体段主要存在两大问题：①将所有的内容用一个段落阐述，增加了收件人阅读和理解的难度。②句与句之间不够连贯、顺畅。该主体段首先说明火车车厢预计于12月到达目的地，接着便向对方提出邀请，然后才说明邀请的理由。这三个要点之间的逻辑关系没有把握好，导致语义不是很连贯。那么，如何在写作主体段时做到行文连贯呢？我们可以从确保语义连贯、使用替代词和连接词以及省略等方面多下工夫。下面我们就针对这几个方面一一分析。
1. 确保语义连贯
语义连贯指的是句与句之间以及段与段之间应该衔接紧密、逻辑清晰。也就是说，后文应该围绕前文展开叙述，后文内容可以在前文内容中找到线索，这样收件人读起来才不会有跳跃感和突兀感。例如上述案例中的第二句话与第一句话之间的语义就不连贯，让人读起来感觉有点莫名其妙：第一句话并不是第二句话的原因，何来的“so”呢？到底为什么要向对方提出邀请呢？读到下文才明白，原来邀请的原因是“We will hold a celebration ritual of 75 hopper railway cars”。大家需要明白的是，一封正式的商务电子邮件不是悬疑小说，不应该让收件人带着疑问去读下文。就案例2而言，如果将案例中的第二句话和第三句话中想表达的内容调换一下顺序，语义就会顺畅很多：“We are planning to hold a celebration ceremony for the arrival of the 75 hopper railway cars in our company in Puerto Ordaz, Estado Bolivar on Dec. 3rd, 2011. Therefore, we would like to invite you to attend this ceremony on that day.”
2. 使用替代词
英文写作切忌重复，英文商务电子邮件也是如此。为了确保文章语意连贯、表达简洁，英文中常用it、one、ones、that、those等替代词来替代上文已经出现过的名词。我们先来看一封邮件中的主体段。
Thank you for the copy of your new book, Guide to Business Writing, which you sent me last week.
The book turns out to be just the book I needed! The book is full of useful information and I’m sure I will be consulting the book a lot in the future when I have to write letters and reports in English.
这一段的内容中重复出现了the book，致使句与句之间的衔接非常别扭，读起来有断断续续的感觉。因为第一段中已经提到book，所以下文中出现的the book完全可以用it来替代，这样行文就会顺畅得多。
但同时要强调的一点是，我们在撰写邮件时，尽量不要在邮件的开头部分出现he、she、it、this等代词。因为收件人的思路可能与你的思路不同，代词太多会让他们感到很迷惑。例如笔者曾见过这样的邮件开头：“I know you want to talk about it, but I am tied up in meetings all day.”这句话中的it出现在开头，指代不明，容易让人困惑，因此作者应将it所指代的具体内容表述出来，例如：“I know you want to talk about the proposal, but I am tied up in meetings all day.”
3. 使用连接词
使用连接词也是增强句与句之间以及段与段之间连贯性的常用方法。这些连接词主要包括副词、连词、介词短语等。以下为一些常用的连接词。
◆ 表递进：in addition、moreover、what’s more、besides、also等；
◆ 表转折：although、nevertheless、however等；
◆ 表对比：in contrast、on the contrary等；
◆ 表强调：above all、especially、most importantly等；
◆ 表举例：for example、for instance等；
◆ 表结果：as a result、because of this、for this reason、hence、therefore等；
◆ 表总结：to sum up、finally、in a word等；
◆ 表时间：at present、in the future、meanwhile、recently、shortly、when等。
4. 省略
上文提到，撰写邮件时应尽量避免重复。除了可以使用代词外，省略也是避免重复的重要方式。例如，如果两个并列的谓语动词拥有相同的宾语，为了避免重复，要省略掉其中一个宾语。我们一起来对比下面两个句子。
1.Please sign one copy of the Sales Confirmation and return this copy for our file.
2.Please sign and return one copy of the Sales Confirmation for our file.
很显然，第二个句子比第一个读起来更为连贯、简练。
通过对上述四种方式的介绍，相信读者已经对如何增强段落连贯性有所了解。下面笔者提供上述案例2的修改版本，以供读者参考。
修改后的主体段
We are very pleased to inform you that the 75 hopper railway cars supplied by your company are estimated to arrive at the destination, Puerto Ordaz, in December. We are planning to hold a celebration ceremony for the arrival of the 75 hopper railway cars in our company in Puerto Ordaz, Estado Bolivar on Dec. 3rd, 2011. Therefore, we would like to invite you to attend this ceremony on that day.
We consider your participation in this ceremony to be vital, as you are one of our major suppliers. Over the past two years, we have enjoyed a very satisfactory cooperation, and we sincerely wish to develop further business with you.
We look forward to seeing you in Puerto Ordaz on Dec. 3rd.
Several weeks after a young man had been hired, he was called into the personnel director’s office.
“What is the meaning of this?” the director asked. “When you applied for the job, you told us you had five years’ experience. Now we discover this is the first job you ever held.”
Im delighted you have accepted our invitation to speak at the conference in [city] on [date].
As we agreed, youll be speaking on the topic rdially invited to attend the celebration at [hotel], [location], on [date] from [time] to [time].
[name] has been the President of [company] since [year]. During this period, [company] expanded its business greatly. Now its our opportunity to thank him for his years of exemplary leadership and wish him well for a happy retirement. Please join us in saying good-bye to [name].
See you on [date].
Yours sincerely
[name]
Dear Visa Officer， We would be grateful if a business visa could be granted for China Research Institute of Electronic Engineering， to visit Malaysia on Monday February 15 through February 20， 20xx。 During this trip he will meet with our pany representative to discuss the sale and distribution of Digital CCTV Surveillance Solutions， Access Control System and Security Alarm System and other munication solutions。 China Research Institute of Electronic Engineering is financially responsible for the applicant’s visit and undertakes to ensure that that he will abide by the rules and regulations of the Malaysia Sincerely， Mr。 Samir Senior Vice President Triple WAVE Sdn。 Bhd
Consulate General of Malaysia Consular Section Dear Visa Officer， We are cordially inviting China Research Institute of Electronic Engineering to visit Malaysia on Monday April 3 through April 17， 20xx。 During this trip he will meet with our pany representative to discuss the sale and distribution of products。 Sincerely， Barry G。 Hart Senior Vice President East Coast Promotions， Inc。From Triple WAVE Sdn。 Bhd A-5-9 Empire Tower， SS16/1 Subang Jaya，
47500， Selangor， Malaysia
邀请函在商务活动中经常会用到，那么该怎么写呢?下面公文站小编为大家推荐的是英文商务邀请函范文，欢迎阅读参考。
英文商务邀请函范文(1)
Dear Mr/Ms，Mr John Green, our General Manager, will be in Paris fromJune 2 to 7 and would like to come and see you, say, onJune 3 at
about the opening of a sample room let us know if the time is convenient for you.Ifnot, what time you would suggest.Yours faithfully，XXX
尊敬的先生/小姐，我们的总经理约翰格林将于六月2日到7日在巴黎，有关在那开样品房的事宜，他会于六月3日下午2:00点拜访您。
请告知这个时间对您是否方便。如不方便，请建议具体时间。
您诚挚的：XX
英文商务邀请函范文(2)
China Quality Certification Center
Fangcaodi Xijie
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100020
Peoples Republic of China
Invitation Letter for application of Visa at Embassy in Beijing
To whom it may concern:
On behalf of , it is my great pleasure to invite your delegation including the following persons to visit our factory in for days during the period from
to of 2003 for CCC factory inspection.1.Members of the delegation
Name Sex Date of Birth Organization Passport No.1.Schedule for factory inspection in
Time Missions Venue
Departure Arrival in
Factory inspection
Move
The international air tickets, inland transportation of the delegation in Will be covered by.The hotel accommodation an medical insurance will be covered by China Quality Certification Center.The contact pweson in our office in is Mr..His contact information is:
We are looking forward to meeting your delegation in the United States.With best regards
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.
关键词：英文商务信函;被动语态;翻译
一、被动语态的简要介绍
要探讨被动语态的相关知识，首先需要了解什么是主动语态，二者是相互对立但可以互相转化的。主动语态在我们日常生活中比较常见，主语就是动作的实施者，比如说，“某某干了什么”，“某某怎么样”之类的都是主动语态，其主要特征是主语与谓语之间是主动的关系。被动语态则与之相反，被动语态的主语往往是动作的承担着，在汉语中，被动语态常常用“被”、“让、“给”等被动词表示;在英语中，被动语态通常用“助动词be+动词的过去分词”表示，需要注意的是这里的动词指的是及物动词。
被动语态在英文中的使用较为广泛，有时在强调动作的承担者时，可以忽略动作的执行者一方，只翻译出被动的意思即可，有的时候句子虽然是被动语态，但又需要翻译成主动的意思，还有的时候某些特殊英文短语的翻译涉及被动的意思，总之，英文的翻译情况较多，需要进一步研究。
二、英文商务信函中被动语态功能及分类
1.英文商务信函中被动语态的功能。语言的力量相当强大，总体来说语言有三个方面的功能：首先，语言具有概念功能，即人类描述客观世界、人物经历、内心世界、事物情感等方面的功能;其次，语言具有语篇功能，这一功能主要指语言的连续性，是指人在说话时，不同的句子相互串联形成一个完整的语境的功能;最后，语言具有人际功能，是指语言具有人际交流，促进人际情感的功能。商务信函是进行商务交流与合作的重要手段，它贯穿于人际交往、合同建立、商务磋商、开展商务合作的全过程，是针对特定人群进行的有目的的活动。显而易见，商务信函书写的成功与否直接关系着企业之间商务合作的成败，因此，应该重视起来商务信函的写作，尤其注意英文商务信函中被动语态的使用。被动语态的使用在英文商务信函中主要有以下几种好处：其一，被动语态的使用可以使整封信函显得更加简洁明了，缩减了不必要的主语后，使得信函内容和目的一目了然，既节约了阅读的时间又给人一种雷厉风行的感觉;其二，被动语态的使用使语言表达更加委婉含蓄，显得对方更加文明礼貌，能够使阅读人心情愉畅，加大了合作的成功率;其三，被动语态的使用能够使语言更加客观有力，缺少主观色彩后，文章显得更为中立，这正符合商务交往的原则。
2.英文商务信函中被动语态的分类。要掌握英文商务信函中被动语态的翻译，首先需要了解商务信函中被动语态的分类。大部分英文中的被动形式都是由be动词加上动词的ed形式构成，具体到英文商务信函中，我们需要对其进行仔细分类。
第一类，有实施者的被动语态。这种被动语态的形式为：动作承受者+be动词+及物动词的过去分词+by+实施者。这种形式的被动语态拥有完整的主语与状语，动作的双方完整，翻译后的语意完整，逻辑关系明确。
第二类，无实施者的被动。这种被动语态在英文中十分常见，尤其是在商务信函中。在商务英语的写作中经常省略动作的实施方，这样做的原因一是因为不愿意或者没有必要点出施加方;二是因为在上下文语境中可以得出，无需再次点明;三是委婉含蓄的一种表达形式。
第三类，英文中的固定搭配。在商务英语中形式主语it引导的从句使用广泛，这样做的好处是翻译出来更显严肃客观，重点突出。
三、英文商务信函中被动语态的翻译
1.变被动为主动。通过以上的分析可知，被动语态在英文写作中所占比重相当大，达到文章中五成以上的篇幅。如此之多的被动语态相连，显然对句子的翻译提出较高的要求。在翻译句子时，尤其是在翻译英文商务信函中的内容时，需要注意文章上下文的联系，不能将每句话割立开来翻译，而是要结合上下文的语境和内容，适当的转变主被动的翻译形式，即将部分被动语态的句子翻译成主动形式。这样做的原因有二：
其一，中文与英文在语法上有明显差异，中国人在正式场合说话或者演讲往往采用主动形式，强调谁干了什么，谁要怎么做等等，因此，将英文商务信函翻译成中文时，需要结果中国人说话和阅读的习惯，适时的转变翻译形式，变被动为主动。
其二，翻译要讲变通。翻译时需要结合语境进行翻译，例如几个被动语态的句子连在一起时，它们的翻译就不能简单的当成几个被动句的叠加，否则，会给听众一种生硬生涩的感觉，而应该有所省略、有所添加才好。
2.善用谦辞、敬辞。信函写的好与坏、翻译的优与劣直接关系着双方合作的成与败，因此，商务信函不仅要写得适当得体，而且也要翻译得恰如其分，过度张扬与过度平庸都会产生事与愿违的后果。
想要把英文商务信函翻译得好，首先需要了解商务信函的性质。所谓商务信函是指商务来往中的一部分，涉及双方利益且事态较大，因此，无论是求人办事还是平级协商都需要体现出谦逊、礼貌的态度。众所周知，汉语中善用谦辞与敬辞，尤其是在书信来往中，为了表现的更为礼貌、谦逊，常要借助谦辞、敬辞来委婉的表达观点。因此，在英文商务信函的翻译中可以运用这一点将称呼、观点表达的更为含蓄，使对方能够体会到来信方的诚意，进而促成合作，赢得双方的共赢。
3.注意调整语序，保证句子流畅。由于英文与中文的语法上有较大的差异，因此在表达同一意思的时候，两国表达的顺序可能有所不同，这就要求翻译员熟谙两国的用法差异，及时准确的调整句子顺序，做到翻译后的句子流畅、重点突出、层次分明，不能出现前后不搭、逻辑混乱的情况。这对翻译者提出了较大的挑战，要求其在翻译时不仅要看清當前翻译的句子，更要联系前后句，选择更为恰当的表达方式。
四、结语
如今，国家与国家之间的交往日益频繁，国际合作不断加强，商务信函的翻译是达成两国之间合作关系的桥梁和纽带，因此，无论是国家还是企业都应该引起十足的重视，规范好英文商务信函的翻译工作，使之在国际合作、企业发展进程中发挥出应有的价值。
参考文献：
[1] 彭萍.商务文本翻译尺度的探讨[J].上海科技翻译， 2011，（1）：108- 109.
[2] 张景丰.国际商务英语信函的文体特点及翻译[J].河南机电高等专科学校学报，2011，（9）： 106- 108.
