从商务英语信函中的模糊语看美国谦虚观_英语论文

An Analysis of American Modesty from the Vague Language Used in Business English Correspondence

摘要

随着经济全球化的不断发展，中国和美国在商业领域中有着越来越紧密的合作关系。在中美商务往来中，商务英语信函成为了最常用的联系方式，起着至关重要的作用，而模糊语言作为商务英语信函的语言特征之一，在商务英语信函内容的传达上给写信人留有余地，表达了写信人对收信人谦虚的态度。然而受不同文化和生活环境的影响，中美两国人民的生活习惯以及思考方式存在差异，导致两国人民在交往中存在一些误解。

本篇论文总共分为三部分，第一部分介绍了谦虚的含义和美国文化中的谦虚观。第二部分概述模糊语言和商务英语信函的含义，并简述了模糊语言在商务英语信函中的三个作用：传递准确信息，自我保护和缺少具体信息。第三部分通过对美国人所写的询价函、销售函和装运信函中模糊语言的使用进行分析，找出模糊语言的三个作用在商务英语信函中的体现，从而说明美国人借助模糊语言在商务英语信函中体现了他们的谦虚观。

关键词：谦虚观；模糊语言；商务英语信函

Abstract

With the procedure of the global economy moving on, a closer relationship between China and America in trade has been built up. Business English correspondence, playing a vital role in Sino-American trade, becomes the most popular contact means in solving all kinds of business issues. As one of language features of business English correspondence, vague language leaves more room to the writer, from which the reader can feel his/her attitude of being modest. Due to the different cultural backgrounds and living environment, the behaviors and the thinking patterns are various between Chinese and American, as a result, some misunderstandings may occur in their communication. 

This thesis is divided into three parts. The first part introduces the definition of modesty and the modesty in American culture. The second part gives generalities to the definition of vague language and business English correspondence, and sketches the three functions of vague language used in business English correspondence, that is correct information, self-protection and lack of specific information. The third part analyzes the use of vague language in the letters of enquiry, sales and shipment written by American people in order to find out the three functions in business English correspondence. In the end, a conclusion can be drawn that American people express their modesty to their readers by using vague language in business English correspondence.

Key words: modesty; vague language; business English correspondence