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英文函电书写基本原则

2007-10-26来源:
一、Courtesy 礼貌

    语言要有礼且谦虚,及时地回信也是礼貌的表现。

    例如:
    We have received with many thanks your letter of 20 May, and we take the pleasure of sending you our latest catalog. We wish to draw your attention to a special offer which we have made in it.

 You will be particularly interested in a special offer on page 5 of the latest catalog enclosed, which you requested in your letter of 20 May.

二、Consideration 体谅

    写信时要处处从对方的角度去考虑有什么需求,而不是从自身出发,语气上更尊重对方。

    例如:
    "You earn 2 percent discount when you pay cash. We will send you the brochure next month. "就比"We allow 2 percent discount for cash payment. We won't be able to send you the brochure this month." 要好。

三、Completeness 完整

    一封商业信函应概况了各项必需的事项,如邀请信应说明时间、地点等,确忌寄出含糊不清的信件。

四、Clarity 清楚

    意思表达明确,要注意:

    (一)避免用词错误:

    例如:As to the steamers sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco, we have bimonthly direct services.
 
 此处bimonthly有歧义:可以是twice a month 或者once two month.故读信者就迷惑了,可以改写为:

    1.We have two direct sailings every month from Hong Kong to San Francisco.
    2.We have semimonthly direct sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco.
    3.We have a direct sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco.

    (二)注意词语所放的位置:

    例如:
    1. We shall be able to supply 10 cases of the item only.
    2. We shall be able to supply 10 cases only of the item.

    前者则有两种商品以上的含义。

    (三)注意句子的结构:

    例如:
    1.We sent you 5 samples yesterday of the goods which you requested in your letter of May 20 by air.
    2.We sent you, by air, 5 samples of the goods which you requested in your letter of May 20.

五、Conciseness 简洁

    (一)避免废话连篇:

    例如:
    1.We wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter...可改为:We appreciate your letter...
    2.Enclosed herewith please find two copies of...可改为: We enclose two copies of...

    (二)避免不必要的重复:

    (三)短句、单词的运用:

    Enclosed herewith----->enclosed
    at this time----->now
    due to the fact that----->because
    a draft in the amount of $1000----->a draft for $1000

六、Concreteness 具体

七、Correctness 正确