3. 1. 4 Fuzzy restriction words
Brown and Levinson (1987) pointed out that when expressed a speech, our act may threat the other side’s face, the speaker could make the words fuzzier in order to avoid hurting the other side’s face. Channel (1994) also mentioned: “understanding fuzzy strategy is quite important for analyzing some type of politeness” in the "fuzzy language".
Fuzzy restrictions mean the ambiguity of meanings, causing the readers not to understand meanings. Fuzzy restrictions words can be divided into two categories: one is strengthen or weaken the meaning of modified word or phrase, such as sort of, almost, quite, a little; Other is the speaker point out the impersonality warranty or do a evaluation indirect, such as I think / believe / wonder / suppose, I am afraid, according to one’s estimate, etc.
The using of fuzzy restrictions words in business English letter could express politeness meaning. This includes two aspects: On the one hand, in happy occasions of cooperation, to show the praise, thanks of the cooperation, the proper use such fuzzy restrictions words as “quite, very, pretty” could strengthen recognition and grateful. On the other hand, if one side delays the payment or unhappy things happens, the other side could use such phrases as “a little bit, sort of, kind of, somewhat, seem” to relax tone and avoid injuries to the other and influence trade between the two sides.
So, in business English letter，we should pay attention to the application of politeness principle, correctly use the vocabulary strategy, only do that could help us make friends, and do a good job.
3.2 Sentence strategy
The politeness principle not only puts up from vocabulary strategy, it is also embodied from the application of sentence.
3.2.1 Interrogative sentences
There are three basic sentences in English: statements, imperatives, questions. When as the listener for starting point to indirect instructions, questions is more politeness than others. Because by the questioning of others’ views, we can not only make the words meaning clear in conversation, but also express a sense of respect for each other, so as to avoid irreverence and lift up one's horn .e. g.
(1) Quote us CIF New York including3% commission!
(2) I request you to quote us CIF New York including 3% commission.
(3) Could you quote us CIF New York including 3 percent commission?
Sentence (1) is an imperative, the tone is tough, and also placing themselves above the partnership, which disobeyed the cooperation principle. Sentence (2) is a statement, although the tone not as aggressive as sentence (1), but still too direct. Sentence (3) is a question, used “ask” indirect to ask “to New York to 3% of the CIF value, including commission,” it looks politeness.
3.2.2 Tense, aspect and mood
There are some verbs express attitudinal in English, such as “hope, think, wonder, want” and so on. Their past tense also called “attitudinal past”, with the function of explore, could indirectly express request, suggestions, advice, such as speech acts, reduce the potential face threats. Hence the past tense is more euphemistic and politeness than the present. For example: “Did you want to see the newly-designed product?” is more politeness than “Do you want to see the newly-designed product?”
Progressive tense also could express the politeness. Such as “hope, think, wonder, and want”, in their progressive tense are more polite than present tense. Take the follow sentence For example; the former sentence is more politeness than the later.
(1) I wonder if you could lower the price.
(2) I am wondering if you could lower the price.
(3) I was wondering if you could lower the price.
4 Notices in business English letter
Communication is a two-way process of sending and receiving of information, ideas, attitudes and emotions that produce a response between people. Compared with communication in other areas, communication in business letter is more demanding. There is a goal of the same importance: to build up and develop goodwill between the sender and the receiver of the message. Through effective communication, relationship is established among business organizations; and the quality of the business relationship is determined by the quality of the communication arising in the process of business operation. It is very important to show the politeness, but we also should pay attention to some detail in business English letter’s writing.
4. 1 Negotiating on equality and mutual benefit
In business English letter, both trading sides’ negotiation should establish on equality and mutual benefit. e.g.
(1)You could rest assured that we would make every effort to effect the shipment as soon as possible so as to meet your demand.
(2)We assure you that we shall do our best to expedite shipment.
We can see that example (1) is over playing their selves down, but example (2) is more suitable.转贴于 酷文网-论文下载中心 http://www.coolwen.net
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