Abstract: Foreign trade correspondence plays an important role in international business. Vague language exists broadly in different kinds of business foreign trade correspondence, it helps to improve the flexibility highly and make the business letters more polite. This study aims to help people know well about the necessity of vague language in business letters, the intention of using vague language and the meaning behind this phenomenon the translating skills and its pragmatic functions, so that it can be used to make international communication more smooth and efficient.

Key words: Foreign Trade Correspondence; Vague Language; international communication; translation

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction.1

2. Vague Language.2  

 2.1 Definition of Vague Language

2.2 Previous Research on Vague Language in Foreign Trade Correspondence

3. Foreign Trade Correspondence3

3.1 Definition of Foreign Trade Correspondence

3.2 Traditional Writing Requirements and Functions 

    3.3 Translation Standards in Foreign Trade Correspondence

4.Translation Strategies and Application of Vague Language in English Translation of Foreign Trade Correspondence.7

   4.1 Translation strategies of Vague Language in Foreign Trade Correspondence

      4.1.1 Vagueness to Vagueness

      4.1.2 Accuracy to Vagueness

      4.1.3 Addition

      4.1.4 Conversion of Word C1asses

      4.1.5 Omission

   4.2 Application of Vague Language in English Translation of Foreign Trade Correspondence

      4.2.1 Vague Language Related to Establishing Business Relations.

      4.2.2 Vague Language Related to Inquiry and Offer

      4.2.3 Vague Language Related to Counter-offer and Counter-counter offer 

      4.2.4 Vague Language Related to Complaint and Settlement

      4.2.5 Vague Language Related to Order and Payment

      4.2.6 Vague Language Related to Insurance and Shipment

5.Conclusion.16 

   5.1 Major Research Findings 

   5.2 Limitations of the Study

   5.3 Suggestions for Further Research

Bibliography

Acknowledgements