Abstract: Politeness is a common phenomenon in language communication, and it is also a language feature that mostly attracts attention in business English letters. A refined and polite business letter can effectively enhance trust between both parties of the trade, and improve the probability that the commercial affair succeeds. Based upon the theory of Politeness Principle in pragmatics and the Face Theory, combined with the characteristics and the functions of business English letters, this paper goes on a preliminary study on the politeness in business English letters. The aim of this paper is to find out the characteristics and the rules of politeness in the business English letters, which provides a reference and help to the learners of business English letters.

Key words: politeness; business English letters; Politeness Principle; Face Theory

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction1

2. Brief Introduction to the Politeness Principle1

2.1 The Origin of the Politeness Principle

2.2 The Maxims of the Politeness Principle

3. The Application of the Politeness Principle in Business English Letters.2

3.1 Tact Maxim and Generosity Maxim

3.2 Approbation Maxim and Modesty Maxim

3.3 Agreement Maxim 

3.4 Sympathy Maxim

4. Representation of Politeness in Business English Letters4

4.1 Positive Representation of Politeness in Business English Letters

4.2 Negative Representation of Politeness in Business English Letters

5. Reasonable Politeness in Business English Letters7

  5.1 Keeping Both Parties Equal in Status

  5.2 Using Friendly Tone

 5.2.1 Using Passive Voice

 5.2.2 Using Interrogative Sentences

 5.2.3 Using Conditional Sentences

  5.3 Considering Cultural Difference

6. Conclusion.9

Bibliography.10

Acknowledgements11