（外国语言学及应用语言学专业论文）论英语商务信函的语言经济性.pdfVIP

硕士学位论文 i 摘要摘要 英语商务信函在对外贸易中起着极为重要的作用， 其言语语篇构建质量影响 着以信函形式交流的效果。商务信函的语言特点体现了语言的经济性原则。这一 原则决定了英语商务信函的语言选择方式和对象。 本文旨在通过对收集的英语商 务信函的研究，以语言经济性原则作理论支持，并运用言语优化配置的策略和技 巧，分析其语言特点，并针对英语商务信函写作提出怎样体现语言经济性原则的 建议，强调怎样在写作中优化言语的配置，达到以最小的语言投入而实现最大的 语言效用的观点。 本研究进行了四个方面的工作：1）收集英语商务信函并予归类；2）分析英 语商务信函的语言特点，并探究形成这些特点的内在机制；3）为英语商务信函 写作提供语言经济性原则下的框架；4）提出八种英语商务信函的种类，并逐一 分析了言语特征和写作手法。 通过对所收集英语商务信函的量化分析，基于前三个方面的工作，本研究发 现：现行英语商务信函的语篇构建在语言经济性原则指导下，其言语优化配置主 要使用以下方法：1）多用缩略语或简写手法或多用商务专有用语；2）多使用礼 貌语言、主动语气和委婉用语，具体体现在以下三个方面：“谢谢”表达法多 种多样；多使用陈述句；多使用虚拟语气；3）一般词汇在英语商务信函中 所表意义有所改变；4）实意词的使用多于抽象词；5）多使用精确用词，如避免 使用意思模棱两可的表达；避免使用陈腐的词；6）谴词造句多简明扼要，如避 免使用过长或生僻的词，多使用日常生活中的常见词，而不使用生僻的专业词汇 （如技术类、学术类以及文学性的词汇） ，避免罗嗦繁冗的表达，去除赘言；7） 使用简单的常用词，如避免使用公文体，避免使用年代久远甚至现已不通用的商 业用语，避免使用隐语或行话；8）多使用积极的语气；9）多使用“以客为先” 的表达；10）多使用主动语态。 本文最后以语言经济性原则为基础，运用语言优化配置的多种策略和方法， 对各类商务信函予以了实例分析，揭示了八种商务信函的言语特点和写作方法。 本研究期待能有助于英语商务信函的教学和外贸从业者的英语商务信函写 作。英语商务信函的写作教学中，能帮助学生具备信函类种识别和例证分析的能 硕士学位论文 ii 力，能帮助外贸从业者在商务信函写作中建立言语优化配置，以最小代价表达出 交流的目的的意识，使商务信函的写作及写作教学中体现语言的经济性，用英语 写出最有效用的商务信函。 关键词：英语商务信函; 语言经济性; 言语优化配置; 效用最大化 关键词：英语商务信函; 语言经济性; 言语优化配置; 效用最大化 硕士学位论文 iii abstract english business letters play an important role in foreign trade. in english business letters, linguistic features can influence the results of communication. these linguistic features embody an outstanding principleeconomy of language, which also dominate the choices of language in english business letter writing. this thesis aims to analyze the linguistic features on the base of collected data with instructive suggestions under the theoretical guideline of principle of economy and utilize strategies for optimal distribution in language, furthermore, the thesis offers some advices for english business letter writing which can embodies the economy of language and emphasizes how to optimally distribute language so as to realize the linguistic maximization of utility with least efforts. the study is discussed in these four aspects: (1) to collect english business letters and classify them, (2) to analyze the features of english business letters and to explore the immanent forming mechanism of them, (3) to provide framework under the guidance of the principle of economy of language for english business letter writing, (4) to introduce eight kinds of english business letters, and analyze their linguistic features and writing methods respectively. through the quantitative analysis on the collected english business letters, the research explores the following linguistic features and writing methods under the guidance of economy of language, 1) the use of simplified forms and abbreviations; 2) the use of polite and active expressions or euphemistic expressions, such as expressions of “thanks”, using declarative sentences, and using subjunctive mood; 3) the use of technical terms and common words with meaning changes; 4) the preference of concrete words to abstract words; 5) the choice of precise wording, such as the avoidance of ambiguity and the avoidance of clich; 6) the choice of concise wording, such as the avoidance of long and unusual (technical, academic or literary) words, the use of everyday words rather than unusual, the avoidance of wordiness and 硕士学位论文 iv the elimination of redundancies; 7) the use of simple or common words, such as the avoidance of officialese, commercialese and the avoidance of needless jargons and slang; 8) the use of positive tone; 9) the use of “ you-attitude”; 10) the use of active voice. finally, under the guidance of economy of language, the thesis explains eight kinds of english business letters about their linguistic features and writing methods with illustrations of sample letters by utilizing the various strategies of optimal distribution in the process of writing letters. the discussions of this study are expected to shed some light on the teaching and study of english business letters and the practical business letter writing by the professionals in the field of foreign trade. when writers produce english business letters, they should consider only if they express their communicative purpose with least efforts by means of optimal distribution in language, the letters will actually reflect economy of language; in that case, most effective english business letters are produced. key words: english business letter; economy of language; optimal distribution in language; maximization of utility 硕士学位论文 v list of tables table 1.24 湖湖 南南 大大 学学 学位论文原创性声明学位论文原创性声明 本人郑重声明：所呈交的论文是本人在导师的指导下独立进行研究所取 得的研究成果。除了文中特别加以标注引用的内容外，本论文不包含任何其 他个人或集体已经发表或撰写的成果作品。 对本文的研究做出重要贡献的个 人和集体，均已在文中以明确方式标明。本人完全意识到本声明的法律后果 由本人承担。 作者签名： 日期： 年 月 日 学位论文版权使用授权书学位论文版权使用授权书 本学位论文作者完全了解学校有关保留、使用学位论文的规定，同意学 校保留并向国家有关部门或机构送交论文的复印件和电子版， 允许论文被查 阅和借阅。 本人授权湖南大学可以将本学位论文的全部或部分内容编入有关 数据库进行检索，可以采用影印、缩印或扫描等复制手段保存和汇编本学位 论文。 本学位论文属于 1、保密，在_年解密后适用本授权书。 2、不保密。 （请在以上相应方框内打“” ） 作者签名： 日期： 年 月 日 导师签名： 日期： 年 月 日 硕士学位论文 1 chapter 1 introduction 1.1 objectives of the thesis language is in nature an instrument for human communication. business, essentially, relies heavily upon human communication, so the use of effective and efficient language in the field of business has been taken as a crucial skill for the success of business. among various kinds of business communications, english business letters play an increasingly important role and remain the most essential in international trade. with chinas accession to the wto, we are confronted with more challenges as well as business opportunities. it is therefore very significant for us to have a good command of some important synonyms most commonly used in the international trade. it can be said that without business letters, all international trade and business will fall apart. writing english business letters is a must in international business settings, for messages through telephone conversations (telegraphs or telexes in the past) have to be confirmed in writing. therefore, english business letters are greatly needed in foreign trade affairs. in other words, they are the most important bridge between the businessmen on both sides in foreign trade. english business letter writing is of great importance to foreign trade. it serves to pass on information, to express ideas, to exchange feelings and to deal with social business and helps to make and maintain good relationship with customers as long as possible. in this process, an effective and efficient letter is an essential perhaps the most versatile weapon at disposal. therefore, it is necessary for people engaged in foreign trade affairs to have a good command of the language features and writing techniques about practical english writing, especially english business letters. in recent years, english business letters have been the research topic for many scholars. as the economical features of english business letters, compared with that of 硕士学位论文 2 the ordinary everyday letters, are relatively unfamiliar to most people, it is necessary for us to explore the features which make business letters different from face-to-face interactions and everyday letters. in english business letters, the economy of language is an outstanding characteristic which can influence the results of communication. this thesis argues that the recent studies conducted on the english business letters are inadequate; researches have always been done in aspects of discourse analysis including style analysis, register analysis and genre analysis. english business letters have their own language features which embody an outstanding phenomenon, that is, the economy of language. it has been drawing continuous attention of linguists and philosophers of language. however, they did not fully utilize economy of language to do analysis in a very specific field, such as english business letter writing. some scholars have done valuable researches using the economy of language yet these are mainly in academic and research settings for pedagogic and much less in business communication settings. this thesis will base the analysis of economy of language in english business letters, and utilize the principles or strategies of optimal distribution in language. therefore, this research is trying to discuss the concept of “economy of language” in sufficient details so as to reach a clearer understanding of how it has been and may be applied. the objective of this paper, hopefully, is to gain more insight into business writing thus offer a relatively standard and applicable methods and theory for language study in professional settings. in addition, it attempts to demonstrate the value of optimal distribution in language as a means to study business letter writing. 1.2 outline of the thesis in the opening section, the author tries to clarify the aim and motivation of this study in which the key concepts are also mentioned in high frequency. the principle of economy of language and optimal distribution in speech, as core of the research, will be defined and reviewed due to their valuable contribution to both the identification and 硕士学位论文 3 the application of english business letter writing. chapter 2 of this dissertation will provide background information and theoretical preliminaries to the study by presenting an overview of development on economy of language and a new economy principle and its subsidiariesstrategies used in optimal distribution in speech. then the thesis reviews the definition and nature of business letter, as well as the main classifications of business letters from different angles. in chapter 3, this thesis provides the theoretical background in details including some strategies of writing business letters. and following a quantitative analysis in chapter 4, the author analyzes the main linguistic features according to the collected statistics, and tries to explore the immanent forming reasons for these linguistics features. then the next part, chapter 5 employs the analyzed results discussed in chapter 4 to do the specific examination of some major types of business letters chosen for the investigation. finally the dissertation draws on the conclusions on the discussion of this thesis, and also presents limitations and tendencies for the future research. 硕士学位论文 4 chapter 2 literature review 2.1 a general introduction to economy of language economy is always regarded as a principle that is one of the most ubiquitous in all fields of inference. it is in philosophy, however, that an economy principle of any depth is first advanced, which actually is acknowledged as ockhams razor within western intellectual tradition, named after the prominent fourteenth century philosopher and logician william ockham (1285-1349). his principle of economy states that the entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity. the fact that language evolves from complexity to simplicity at the very core of linguistic evolution was not recognized until the nineteenth century, because early linguists preferred emphasizing the form and rhyme of language, rather than the degree of economy for expressions. the case immediately ran to the opposite, as soon as the new highlighting was stirred up when people found that such a principle was particularly suited for the linguistic field. the concept of economy in linguistics has lots of different values and meanings, and can be considered and studied from diverse viewpoints. lexically, the word “economy” reveals a positive interpretation: gain, thrift, less burden and saving. as it is transferred to a linguistic level, roughly speaking, there is similarity in nature: economy in language has a strong controlling function over the whole system, something that is carried out with the least possible cost in terms of energy. language has some properties of economy, which has been explored by many scholars and applied in language teaching and learning. redundancy has been early posed in linguistic with some thought of economy. in linguistics, there are two sides which reflect economical thinking, one side is the theory of language value; the other side is rational choice theory which embodies the principle of least effect. hermann paul (1909:313) discusses the economy of language in his prinzipien der 硕士学位论文 5 sprachegeschichte. he reckons that the economy or the luxury of language expressions should be adapted to the needs of intercommunications. moreover, he admits that some kinds of expression are much luxuriant but the language still maintains the feature of economy to some extends. paul figures that any development of expressing form can not go beyond the comprehensive needs. these above-mentioned viewpoints are reflected in equivalence and utility of economics1. in american, werner leopold (1930) discovers that there are two contradictory tendencies in any linguistic systems: linguistic development follows not one tendency, but two opposing ones: towards distinctness and towards economy. either of these poles prevails, but both are present and alternately preponderant. (leopold 1930:102)2 the tendency to distinctness originates from the fact that any speaker has, at any time, “the predominant intention of being understood”; tendency to economy is but “the innate tendency of man, wisely given him by nature, not to spend more energy on any effort than necessary” (leopold 103:102). in some languages, one of the two factors usually prevails on the other, generating different balances depending on the social or professional level2. dutch linguist groot (1931) thinks that both a tendency to the greatest possible efficacy and a tendency to economy are present. groot greatly influences martinet, despite the fact that the latter applies the principles to diachrony, while groots studies are thoroughly devoted to synchronic analysis3. zipf (1949) emphasizes the fundamental role played by a principle of least effort: the primary principle that governs our entire individual and collective behavior of all sorts, including the behavior of our language (zipf 1949:vii)4, and distinguishes speakers economy of effort from hearers. the principle predicts that most people, most of the time, are turned back by modest hurdles that they know it could be overcome, with effort. to be habitual, an action must be relatively effortless or carry a particularly large psychic reward. and in what constitutes a large reward, opinions 硕士学位论文 6 and motivations vary widely across individuals. simultaneous minimization in the effort of both hearer and speaker is formalized with a simple optimization process operating o n a b i n a r y m a t r i x o f s i g n a l o b j e c t a s s o c i a t i o n s 4 . he first analyzes the speech and glossary and then explains the distribution regularity of natural language in literatures. in terms of his view, when we use language to express our thoughts, we receive two forces of opposite directions-a unilateral force and multilateral force. these two forces are utilized in speaking and writing; on one hand, people use one word to express ideas in a most economical way in order to shorten the speech; on the other hand, peoples expressions should be comprehended by others and every concept can be expressed by a word so that the hearer understand it with least effort. andre martinet (1955) also puts forward the similar point of view-the principle of economy in his research of phonetic transformations5. he proposes that people always give a rational and economical arrangement of energy-consumption voluntarily or unconsciously under the prerequisite of assuring the function of speech communication. furthermore, people try their utmost to use relatively less, economical and familiar language in order to save energy. in view of the language application, human beings always make every effort to achieve the maximum communicative efforts with the minimum consumption. martinet (1962) takes it that the two factors, whose interaction is responsible for language change, are first, the requirements of communication, the need for the speaker to convey his message, and second, the principle of least effort, which makes him restrict his output of energy, both mental and physical, to the minimum compatible with achieving his ends. (martinet, 1962:139)6 valter tauli (1958), who would later influence martinets views about paradigmatic and sintagmatic economy, deems that linguistic evolution is determined by passive pressures and by five active driving forces: (1) tendency towards clarity, (2) tendency towards ease or economy of effort, (3) emotional impulses, (4) aesthetic tendencies, (5) social impulses. (tauli 1958:50)7 硕士学位论文 7 jesperson (1964:263) proposes that the language transformation is an obvious sign of economy of effort, which is also called ease theory 8. hjelmslev (1961) also invokes the principle of economy, calling for a procedure that gives the simplest possible result and is suspended if it does not lead to further simplification; and the principle of reduction, requiring each operation to be continued or repeated until the description is exhausted and to register the lowest possible number of objects at each stage9. chomsky (1965) proposes that there are two evaluation criterions to language theories. one is sufficiency; the other one is simplicity10. he implicates that language acquisition of human beings traces a simplest and most economical way. chomsky (1991:69) also proposes, both derivations and representations are subject to a certain form of least effort condition and required to be minimal in a fairly well-defined sense, with no supe