商务英语跨文化交际中的语用失误与对策_英语论文

Pragmatic Failures and Strategies in Cross-cultural Communication of Business English

摘要

随着国际商务交流的频繁和经济全球化趋势的加强,商务英语的应用变得越来越广泛。恰当使用商务英语将加强贸易双方的沟通与交流，并且促进贸易活动的顺利进行。但在跨文化交际的背景下，商务英语在交流过程中出现的语用失误常常会产生一些负面影响，从而影响国际贸易的往来。因此，为了提高国际商务交际的质量，作者研究了商务英语中跨文化交际下的语用失误和策略。作者首先介绍了跨文化交际和语用失误的概念，其次从语用学的角度，通过列举语用失误的例子，分析了语用失误的两种类型——语用语言失误和社交语言失误，并且从文化差异、母语迁移和对英语知识的理解不全面三个角度进一步分析语用失误产生的原因，最后提出可行的对策避免商务英语中跨文化交际下的语用失误，希望能在跨文化交际中实现更好的商务交往。

关键词：语用失误；对策；跨文化交际；商务英语

Abstract

With the frequency of international business communication and the strengthening of the trend of economic globalization, the application of business English becomes more and more extensive. The proper use of business English will strengthen communication exchanges between the two sides of trade and promote the smooth running of business activities. But in the context of cross-cultural exchanges, pragmatic failures in the process of business English communication often have some negative effects, which will influence international trade. Therefore, in order to promote the quality of international business communication, the author has studied the pragmatic failures and strategies in cross-cultural communication of business English. She firstly introduces the concept of cross-cultural communication and pragmatic failure, then she analyzes two types of pragmatic failures ---  pragmalinguistic failures and sociopragmatic failures through illustrating examples from the perspective of pragmatics. And then she further analyzes the reasons for pragmatic failures, i.e. cultural difference, mother tongue transfer and miscomprehension of English knowledge. Finally, feasible strategies are put forward to avoid pragmatic failures and to achieve better business contacts in cross-cultural communication of business English. 

Key words：pragmatic failure; strategy; cross-cultural communication; business English

Contents

Acknowledgements.i

Abstract & Key words in English..ii

Abstract & Key words in Chineseiii

Introduction....1

1. Brief introduction to cross-cultural communication and pragmatic failure...1

   1.1 Concept of cross-cultural communication........ 2

1.2 Concept of pragmatic failure. 2

2. Classification of pragmatic failures in cross-cultural communication of business

  English  3                             

2.1 Pragmalinguistic failures.. .4

2.1.1 In tone......4

2.1.2 In voice ...4

2.1.3 In phonetics.....5

2.1.4 In semantics.....6

2.1.5 In form of expression....6 

2.2 Sociopragmatic failures..... 7

2.2.1 In address.... 7

2.2.2 In expression of politeness..8

2.2.3 In selection of social topics.........9

2.2.4 In euphemisms. .. 9

2.2.5 In vague language..10

2.2.6 In taboos11 

3. Reasons for pragmatic failures in cross-cultural communication of business 

  English ...................11

   3.1 Cultural differences ...........12

       3.1.1 In cultural background. 12

       3.1.2 In cognition...12

       3.1.3 In values12

       3.1.4 In way of thinking.13

       3.1.5 In social customs ..13

3.2 Mother tongue transfer.....14

    3.2.1 In lexicon...14

    3.2.2 In syntax14

3.3 Miscomprehension of English knowledge...........15

4. Strategies to avoid pragmatic failures in cross-cultural communication of business  

  English15

   4.1 Strengthening practice of language..15

   4.2 Accumulating knowledge of business..16

   4.3 Emphasizing distinctions of culture.16

   4.4 Using pragmatic principles correctly...17

   4.5 Knowing diversity of context...18

   4.6 Understanding nonverbal communication19

Conclusion....19

References....21