Abstract

Since the twenty-first century, with the promoting of foreign trade business in China, China's foreign trade has been greatly developed, and trade communication becomes increasingly frequent. As is known to all, foreign trade business contacts mainly rely on e-mail, so business English letter plays an important role in the communication between the two sides, business contact and consultation responses. And it has already been widely used in foreign trade business all over the world. Good business letter writing is also a basic skill that the one who is engaged in foreign trade business should have. Business English letters, as a communication tool, are facing the communication with each other directly. Whether the letter is polite or not, is related to the success or failure of the trade between both. Politeness principle is the basic requirement of business letters, with polite word expression, not only can achieve good communication effect, and establish a good image of the foreign trade enterprises, but also can create a friendly atmosphere for bilateral trade cooperation, and establish good trade relations, thus contributing to the trade activities carried out smoothly.

Key words: business English letter writing, politeness principle, euphemism, euphemistic expression

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

I. Introduction . 1

  1.1 Background of business English letter writing1

  1.2 Meaning of business English letter writing1

II. Definition of Politeness Principle (PP)..2

2.1 Information of the writer—Leech.. 2

  2.2 Definition of PP.. 3

2.3 Explanation of six maxims.. 3

III. Politeness Function of Euphemism . 4

3.1 Meaning of euphemism.. 4

3.2 Example and function5

IV. Business English Letter of Euphemistic Expression. 6

4.1 Refusal letters. 6

4.1.1 Using vague words and examples. 6

4.1.2 Using tactful words and examples.6

4.1.3 Using passive voice and examples7

4.1.4 Using concessive clauses and examples7

4.2 Acceptance letters  7

4.2.1 Using emotional words and examples. .8

4.2.2 Using modal verbs and examples.8

4.2.3 Using conditional sentence and examples.8

4.2.4 Using interrogative sentence and examples8

V. Conclusion .. 9

References . 10