商務(wù)信函的英文書寫規(guī)則[1]
寫信的原則(Writing Principles)已從原來的3個(gè)"C"(Conciseness, Clearness, Courtesy)發(fā)展到目前的7個(gè)"C"：Completeness, Clearness, Concreteness, Conciseness, Correctness, Courtesy, Consideration。
四川翻譯公司
實(shí)例
四川翻譯公司
Dear Sirs,
Copper Wire
With reference to your letter of April 9, we are pleased to accept your offer of 100 tons of Copper Wire as per your Offer Sheet No.8/070/02B. Please go ahead and apply for your Export Licence. As soon as we are informed of the number of the Export Licence we will open the L/C by cable.
關(guān)于你們四月九日涵，我們高興地接受你們第8/070/02Ｂ號(hào)報(bào)盤單所報(bào)100噸紫色銅絲。請(qǐng)著手辦理申請(qǐng)出口許可證。的一經(jīng)接到出口許可證號(hào)碼的通知，當(dāng)即電開信用證。
四川翻譯公司
要求書信“完整”的理由有三：
1、一封完整的書信比一封不完整的書信，有更大的可能性帶來預(yù)期的效果；
2、一封完整的書信，有助于建立和表達(dá)友善關(guān)系；
3、一封完整的書信，可以避免由于遺漏重要情況（情報(bào)）所導(dǎo)致的訴訟(Lawsuit)；
4、有時(shí)，某些不顯眼的書信或文件，由于所提供的情況完整而又生動(dòng)有力（Complete and Effective）而成為極為重要的文件。 一封信寫得是否完整，建議用五個(gè)"Ｗ"來檢驗(yàn)，既： Who, What, Where, When,Why(包括How)。
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例如：在定貨的信中，必須明確說明：
需要什么商品(What you want)
何時(shí)需要(When you need the goods)
貨物發(fā)到何地何人收(to Whom and Where the goods to be sent)
如何付款(How payment will be mande) 如對(duì)對(duì)方的要求作出否定的答復(fù)時(shí)（如不能報(bào)盤，不能理賠等）應(yīng)說明理由－－為什么(Why)
實(shí)例解說：
"Cellulose Tape 1/2"x 3yds, with plastic dispenser 700 doz./-ditto-but 1/2" x 5 yds, 1,000doz."
四川翻譯公司
這是出口商接到的一份定單中有關(guān)商品品名，規(guī)格和數(shù)量的內(nèi)容。中文意思是：纖維素帶（幅）寬半英寸，長3碼，帶塑料包裝容器，700打；同上，但（幅）寬寬半英寸，長5碼，1000打。主要問題是后半句不清楚。"ditto"在這里表示前面提到的商品名稱纖維素帶，但不能包括"帶塑料包裝容器"，因此，幅寬半英寸長５碼的纖維素帶是否有塑料包裝容器沒有說清楚，不完整。所以最好改成：
"Cellulose Tape 1/2"x 3yds, with plastic dispenser 700 doz.
Cellulose Tape 1/2" x 5yds，with plastic dispenser 1000 doz."
這樣即完整，又清楚明確，不會(huì)引起誤解。
一）避免使用可能產(chǎn)生不同理解或意義不明確的詞匯
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〈例一〉
As to the steamers sailing from Hongkong to San Francisco, we have bimonthly direct services.
（從香港到舊金山有直達(dá)船）
但是bimonthly 究竟是一個(gè)月兩次，還是兩個(gè)月一次呢？不明確。因此，最好清楚明白地說明“一個(gè)月兩次”還是“兩個(gè)月一次”：
（a）We have two direct sailings every month from Hongkong to San Francisco.
（每月兩次直達(dá)船）
（b）We have semimonthly direct sailing from Hongkong to San Francisco.
（每半月一次直達(dá)船）
（c）We have a direct sailing from Hongkong to San Francisco every two month.
（每兩個(gè)月一次直達(dá)船）
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（二）注意修飾詞的位置，有時(shí)修飾詞的位置不同，會(huì)導(dǎo)致不同的含意如：
（a）Please let us know what you wish us to do about this matter as soon as possible:
（b）Please let us know as soon as possible what you wish us to do about this matter.
以上兩句中修飾的內(nèi)容不同：
（a） 你們要求我們盡快做些什么。
（b） 請(qǐng)盡快告訴我們。
所以 （a） 可譯成“請(qǐng)告訴你們要求我們?yōu)榇吮M快做些什么”；
（b） 可譯為“請(qǐng)盡快告知，你們要我們?yōu)榇耸伦鲂┦裁础薄?/P>四川翻譯
（三） 注意代名詞，關(guān)系代詞和先行詞的關(guān)系
按照英語習(xí)慣，句子中的代名詞和關(guān)系代詞一般是指離得最近的名詞，因此要特別注意，以免引起誤解或不清楚。
例句：
不好： They informed Messrs.John & Smith that they would receive an answer in a few days.
較好： They informed Messrs. John & Smith that latter would receive an answer in a few days.
(四)注意前后一致和緊湊，連貫
不一致：Being a certified public accountant, I am sure you can help us.
一致： Being a certified public accountant, you can surely help us.
or; As you are a certified public accountant, I am sure you can help us.
（五）仔細(xì)和恰當(dāng)?shù)胤侄温洌≒aragraphing）
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商業(yè)書信要寫得使人一讀就明白，因此必須按照內(nèi)容仔細(xì)和恰當(dāng)?shù)姆侄温洌话愕姆侄温湓瓌t是一個(gè)段落一個(gè)意思（A paragraph for each point is a good general rule.）。現(xiàn)舉例說明：
Dear Sirs,
It is reported in a domestic newspaper that the Iranian Central Bank has instructed the commercial banks to suspend their business of opening a new letter of credit as from the 3rd May for financial reason of foreign currency. Although it is said that this arrangement would be a temporary one and with establishment of new import policy this emergency arrangement would be lifted, we are much concerned about the outcome of this movement toward restriction of import to Iran and shall be obliged if you will kindly keep us well advised of development of this new arrangement especially in connection with import from France.
Yours faithfully,
以上這封信只有一段，供兩句。第一句39字，第二句66字。 讀后雖然能基本了解其內(nèi)容，但讀起來很舒服。信的內(nèi)容大體有三點(diǎn)：
1、伊朗中央銀行因外匯原因，通知各商業(yè)銀行從五月三日起停止開立信用證；
2、這臨時(shí)措施，新的進(jìn)口政策一訂，這個(gè)措施就可能取消；
3、希望對(duì)方隨時(shí)告之有關(guān)情況。
按照這三點(diǎn)，適當(dāng)?shù)胤址侄温洌研胖匦赂膶懸幌拢赡茏x起來比原來的清楚易懂：
Dear Sirs,
It is reported in a vernacular newspaper that the Iranian Central Bank has instructed the commercial banks to suspend their issuing new Letters of Credit as from the 3rd May because of its decreasing foreign currency funds. Furthermore it is said that the suspension seems a temporary one and will be released with establishment if a new import policy.
We are much concerned, however, about the outcome of this movement toward restriction of import to Iran. We, therefore, shall be obliged if you will keep us well informed of development of this new state of affairs, especially in connection with imports from France.
Yours faithfully
四川翻譯
商業(yè)書信必須寫得正確，因?yàn)樗婕暗劫I賣雙方的權(quán)利、義務(wù)和厲害關(guān)系，是各種商業(yè)單據(jù)的依據(jù)。廣義的說，商業(yè)書信的正確性表現(xiàn)在：
（一）運(yùn)用正確的語言水平
（二）敘述得正確
（三）數(shù)字要正確
（四）正確理解和運(yùn)用商業(yè)術(shù)語
（五）合適的寫作技巧或方法，以及正確運(yùn)用其他的六個(gè)"C"。
（一）正確的語言水平
(1)、正式的和非正式的語言水平所用詞匯比較：
formal informal
terminate
domicile
deem
transpire
conflagration
edifice
endeavor
obtain; procure
peruse
remunerate
utilize
subsequent
ascertain
contingent upon
anticipate
interrogate end
home
think(or: believe)
happen
fire
building
try
get
read or study
pay
use
next or following
find out
depending on
expect
ask
(2)、正式的和非正式的語言比較
formal informal
Will attain the age of 18 years. Will be 18 years old
Render us more detail
We will institute a mail search Send us more information
We will ask the post office to send out a tracer.
We thank you in anticipation of this courtesy and assure you that it will be a pleasure to serve you in a similar manner We shall appreciate your helping us. Let us know when we can return the favor.
Inform me of your intentions as to the liquidation of this balance Let me know when you can settle this account.
Give consideration to a plan. Consider a plan
This plan will effect a saving of $10,000. This plan will save $10,000.
To effect certain modifications in a procedure contingent upon the concurrence of management To make certain changes if management agrees.
The conclusions ascertaind from a perusal of the pertinent data is that a lucrative market exists for the product in this vicinity.
The data studied show that the product is in good demand in this area.
(3)、避免使用不標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的語言
不要說 應(yīng)該說
ain''t
hadn''t ought
irregardless
nohow
in regard to
can''t hardly
between you and I
where ….at isn''t, aren''t
shoudn''t
regardless
anyway
regarding
can hardly
between you and me
where
下面的內(nèi)容是用三種不同語言水平的比較參考：
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Formal: Although Item 12 is enumerated in the report, the writer has ascertained that it is currently not in the organization''s inventory or in the writer''s possession.
Informal: Although Item 12 is listed in the report, it''s not in our stock now and I don''t have it either.
Standard: Irregardless of the report that item ain''t on our shelves now, and I haven''t got it either.
（二）敘述得正確
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商業(yè)書信的內(nèi)容要敘述得正確，既不能說得不夠(Understatement)，更不能說得過頭(Overstatement)。
例一： This stove is absolutely the best (or: the very best) on the market.
（這種爐子是市場上絕對(duì)最好的爐子。）
這句話是用來介紹商品的，但沒有具體介紹商品的性能，而是抽象地?cái)喽ㄟ@種爐子是“市場上最好的”。這樣介紹商品，不但不能達(dá)到推銷的目的，反而使人對(duì)寫信人有“賣狗皮膏藥”的感覺。
改寫：
Our model A195 is designed on modern lines and gives, without any increase in fuel consumption, 25% more heat than the older models. So you will agree that it is the outstanding stove for economy of fuel.
(我們的A195型爐子是按近代樣式設(shè)計(jì)的，在不增加燃料消耗的情況下，比其他各種舊式爐子溫度高25%。所以，你會(huì)同意，這是個(gè)優(yōu)良的節(jié)約燃料的爐子。)
（三）字要正確
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做對(duì)外貿(mào)易離不開數(shù)字。對(duì)商業(yè)書信中的數(shù)字的正確性要特別加以注意，有時(shí)“失之毫厘，差之千里”。甚至引起不同的理解。
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（a）“以上”，“以下”，“以前”，“以后”，“從……到……”等的表達(dá)法。
$2 or (and) above(over) 二美元和二美元以上
60dozen or (and) up (upward, upwards) 60打和60打以上
2% or (and) more 2%和2%以上
an order for 50 gross or upward 50羅或50羅以上的定單
an order for not less than 50 gross 不少于50羅的定單
5% up to 10% inclusive 5%到10%
over 5% up to 10% inclusive
