Abstract

With the fast development of global economic integration, the international business transactions between China and the foreign countries become more and more closely. Business letter as one of its main means of communication is also increasingly attracting attention. Therefore, it’s necessary for business workers to understand the features of business letters in English and master the skills of its translation. This paper is going to make a research for linguistic features and translation techniques of English business correspondence. On the one hand, it’s essential to meet the challenges of global economic integration and adapt to more and more frequent international business activities. On the other hand, business people really need to control the basic skills of writing and translation of English business letters to promote foreign trade.

Key words: business letters; business communication; linguistic features; translation techniques

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction-1

2 Function and Classification of Business Letters-2

2.1 Function of Business Letters-2

2.2 Types of Business Letters2

3 Linguistic Features of Business Letters-3

3.1Stylized Expressions3

3.1.1 Lexical Features-4

3.1.2 Sentence Pattern Features-4

3.2 Technical Term and Abbreviation-5

    3.3 Complete Demonstration of the Principles of 5 “C”6

3.3.1 Completeness-6

3.3.2 Correctness-7

3.3.3 Clearness-8

3.3.4 Conciseness-9

3.3.5 Concreteness-10

3.4 Preposition-10

3.4.1Repeating prepositional phrase-10

3.4.2Using prepositions with prefix-11

3.4.3Using complex prepositional phrases instead of simple preposition-11

3.4.4 Using the structure of prepositional phrase plus hereof (thereof, whereof)-12

4 Translation Techniques of English Business Letters-12

    4.1 Application of Stereotyped Expressions.13

4.1.1 Stereotyped Expression of Address-13

4.1.2 Stereotyped Expression of Beginning and Ending-13

4.2 Application of Principles of 5 “C”-14

   4.2.1 Correctness and Clearness-14

   4.2.2 Conciseness and Concreteness-14

   4.2.3 Courtesy-14

5 Conclusion-15

References-17