Abstract

Nowadays, the business cooperation is developing rapidly between countries and business English correspondence plays a indispensable role in the frequent foreign trade. Business English correspondence has already became a significant method to communication. By sending business letter, the dealers can exchange basic information of commodity, negotiate and solve problems in the trade. A proper business English correspondence can increase the possibility of a successful deal as well as help to build a friendly relationship between the two sides. If the writer writes letters under the premise of understanding the cultural customs of different countries and uses politeness principle skillfully, possibly a lot of unnecessary loss will be avoided in international business activities. Therefore, it is very important to understand and master the skills of writing a decent and courtesy business English correspondence.

This paper on the basis of politeness principles, mainly analyzes the application of politeness strategies in a better way in rejection and non-rejection business correspondence.

Key words: politeness principle; business correspondence writing; rejection business correspondence; non-rejection business correspondence

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1 Introduction-1

2 Politeness principles-1

2.1 The previous study of politeness principles-1

2.2 The definition of politeness principles-2

3 Embodiment of politeness strategies in business letter-3

3.1 Rejection business letter-3

3.1.1 The usage of concession clause-4

3.1.2 The usage of passive voice-5

3.1.3 The usage of euphemism-5

3.2 Non-rejection business letter-5

3.2.1 The usage of appropriate words and sentence-6

  3.2.1.1 The usage of moral verb.6

  3.2.1.2 The usage of you-attitude. 6

  3.2.1.3 The usage of pleased, thank you, we have pleased.7

3.2.2 The usage of conditional sentence-8

3.2.3 Showing sympathy-8

3.2.4 Using approbation-9

3.2.5 Apologizing sincerely-9

4 Conclusion-10

References-11