淺析外貿(mào)英語(yǔ)函電的文體特征

[摘要] 隨著對(duì)外貿(mào)易的迅猛發(fā)展， 外貿(mào)函電的作用顯得越來(lái)越重要。作為重要的溝通方式， 外貿(mào)英語(yǔ)函電在詞匯、句法和篇章三個(gè)層面體現(xiàn)出鮮明的文體特征。對(duì)其進(jìn)行分析，有助于更好地發(fā)揮其交際功能，提高函電的寫(xiě)作能力，為企業(yè)樹(shù)立良好的形象并密切雙方的合作關(guān)系。

[關(guān)鍵詞] 對(duì)外貿(mào)易 函電 文體特征

一、引言

隨著全球經(jīng)濟(jì)一體化和對(duì)外貿(mào)易的發(fā)展，商務(wù)活動(dòng)日益頻繁。作為重要的商務(wù)溝通方式，外貿(mào)函電正在發(fā)揮著越來(lái)越重要的作用。它肩負(fù)著建立貿(mào)易雙方的業(yè)務(wù)關(guān)系、溝通商務(wù)信息、塑造企業(yè)形象等多方面的社會(huì)職能，成為商務(wù)社團(tuán)共同使用的、特征鮮明的、高度約定俗成的交際事件。其特定的社會(huì)功能使其呈現(xiàn)出突出的格式化特征、語(yǔ)篇結(jié)構(gòu)特征和文體特征。能夠在特定語(yǔ)境中體現(xiàn)特定文體功能的語(yǔ)言特征統(tǒng)稱為文體特征。語(yǔ)言在特定社會(huì)環(huán)境中所產(chǎn)生的表達(dá)效果和交際功能總是通過(guò)特定的語(yǔ)音、詞匯、句法、書(shū)寫(xiě)特征和篇章結(jié)構(gòu)予以實(shí)現(xiàn)的。基于此，本文對(duì)外貿(mào)函電這一特殊書(shū)面交際文體從詞匯、句法和篇章結(jié)構(gòu)三個(gè)層面進(jìn)行分析，旨在揭示其文體特征，加深對(duì)函電語(yǔ)篇的理解。

二、英語(yǔ)函電的文體特征

1.詞匯的特征

(1)措辭禮貌客氣

禮貌用語(yǔ)不但可以樹(shù)立企業(yè)的良好形象，為雙方合作創(chuàng)造友好的洽談氣氛， 還能事事留有余地，為進(jìn)一步發(fā)展貿(mào)易關(guān)系奠定基礎(chǔ)。收到對(duì)方的函電，無(wú)論是否愿意接受或感興趣，都要以禮貌的語(yǔ)言表示誠(chéng)摯的謝意。如對(duì)對(duì)方的要求表示不滿，措辭也要客氣，委婉。例如：

①Thank you for your letter of 10th November，enquiring for Forever Brand Bicycles.

②Thank you for your letter of 15th September， concerning the delayed delivery of the goods under the above Sales Confirmation.

③Thank you for your order for 50 reams of glass paper， but much to our regret， we can not agree to your payment by D/A.

在向?qū)Ψ教岢鲆蠡蚱谕耐瑫r(shí)也要使用禮貌得體的用語(yǔ)。例如：

①We should be much obliged if you would inform us，in confidence，of their financial standing and modes of business.

②It is highly appreciated if you would effect shipment immediately.

(2)You attitude即多從對(duì)方角度考慮問(wèn)題

從本質(zhì)上講，外貿(mào)函電的目的在于通過(guò)字面意思與言外之意的有機(jī)結(jié)合，說(shuō)服收信人按照自己的意圖采取某個(gè)舉措，或接受某個(gè)想法。寫(xiě)信人無(wú)論為了何種目的都要考慮語(yǔ)言策略。順利溝通的一個(gè)重要原則就是換位思考。在函電交流中，應(yīng)多將自己置于對(duì)方的角度，設(shè)身處地為對(duì)方著想，盡量滿足對(duì)方的要求、需要和愿望，即多用You attitude，少用We attitude，使句子語(yǔ)氣顯得平和、友好，從而表現(xiàn)出對(duì)對(duì)方的尊重和禮讓。例如：

①If you take the quality into consideration，you will see that our price is reasonable .

這比說(shuō)We think that our products are superior in quality and reasonable in price.要好得多。又如：

②If you are likely to require any of them during the next three months，we advise your placing the order now as prices are rapidly rising.

(3)多用專業(yè)術(shù)語(yǔ)和書(shū)面語(yǔ)

外貿(mào)函電涉及的是貿(mào)易活動(dòng)，適用于貿(mào)易領(lǐng)域。因此，除了一般詞匯以外，還多用具有專業(yè)色彩的詞匯，如： certificate of origin(產(chǎn)地證)， proforma invoice(形式發(fā)票)， bona fide holder(善意持有人)， performance bond(履約保證金)， clean collection(光票托收)， irrevocable L/C payable by sight draft（不可撤消的即期信用證）等。同時(shí)為了體現(xiàn)函電的正式性，莊重性和嚴(yán)肅性，較多使用較復(fù)雜的介詞短語(yǔ)如：in compliance with，in view of，with regard to， in connection with，as per，at request以及herein， therein， hereby等古詞語(yǔ)， 既體現(xiàn)出其帶有顯著的法律正式語(yǔ)體特征，在表意時(shí)又可避免表達(dá)上不必要的重復(fù)。例如：

①Thank you for your Order No.905 for 50 metric tons of Emery Powder， but regret being unable to accept your terms of payment mentioned therein.

②We regret to have found that there are certain clauses which do not conform to those of the contract. Hereby we list the discrepancies for your attention.

(4)多使用專業(yè)縮略詞

現(xiàn)代商務(wù)活動(dòng)日趨高效快捷，隨著貿(mào)易的不斷發(fā)展， 大量《國(guó)際貿(mào)易通則》中通用的專業(yè)縮略詞常出現(xiàn)在函電中， 為業(yè)內(nèi)人士互通有無(wú)提供了方便。例如：

①價(jià)格術(shù)語(yǔ)

CIF（cost，insurance and freight成本、保險(xiǎn)和運(yùn)費(fèi)價(jià)）

CFR（cost and freight成本和運(yùn)費(fèi)價(jià)）

FOB（free on board船上交貨價(jià)）

CPT（carriage paid to運(yùn)費(fèi)付至 ）

DEQ（delivered ex quay碼頭交貨）

②保險(xiǎn)

FPA （free from particular average水漬險(xiǎn)）

WPA （with particular average平安險(xiǎn)）

AR （all risks一切險(xiǎn)）

WR（war risk戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)險(xiǎn)）

③運(yùn)輸

B/L（bill of lading提單）

FCL（full container load整箱貨）

LCL（less container load拼箱貨）

④支付

D/P（documents against payment付款交單）

L/C （letter of credit信用證）

T/T （telegraphic transfer電匯）

M/T （mail transfer信匯）

D/D （demand draft票匯）

可以看出，函電中的專業(yè)縮略詞不僅有助于增強(qiáng)語(yǔ)言的專業(yè)性和簡(jiǎn)潔性，而且以簡(jiǎn)短的形式，表達(dá)出豐富的信息，提高了工作效率，縮短了撰寫(xiě)時(shí)間。

2.句法特征

(1)多用陳述句

在外貿(mào)函電中，由于對(duì)大量事項(xiàng)及業(yè)務(wù)需要解釋清楚， 故多使用陳述句。由于篇章本身不需表達(dá)任何感情色彩，基本上不采用感嘆句。例如：

Dear Sirs：

Your firm has been recommended to us by John Morris＆Co.， with whom we have done business for many years.

We specialize in the export of Chinese Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals， which have enjoyed great popularity in world market. We enclose a copy of our catalogue for your reference and hope that you would contact us if any item is interesting to you.

We hope that you will give us an early reply.

Sincerely yours，

(2)簡(jiǎn)單句和復(fù)合句并用

外貿(mào)函電對(duì)文字表達(dá)既要求簡(jiǎn)潔， 又要能完整地表達(dá)外貿(mào)業(yè)務(wù)進(jìn)行的各種條件、方式方法和結(jié)果，使業(yè)務(wù)不出現(xiàn)任何疏漏之處，避免爭(zhēng)端。因此，較短的簡(jiǎn)單句和稍長(zhǎng)的復(fù)合句常交替出現(xiàn)。例如：

Through years of business dealing，our company has formed the following two packing practices for shirts exported to European countries. First， pack them in bales lined with polythene， each containing 50 pieces in one pattern. Second， pack them in plastic-lined， water-proof cartons， reinforced with metal straps. In view to expanding our business at your end， we are writing to you in the hope that we can set up a sole agency in your country， which is expected to enlarge the sales of our products.

(3)適時(shí)采用被動(dòng)結(jié)構(gòu)

在函電中， 交易雙方為了表明各自的立場(chǎng)和觀點(diǎn)，常使用主動(dòng)結(jié)構(gòu)的句式。在表達(dá)否定意義時(shí)，若采用主動(dòng)結(jié)構(gòu)，語(yǔ)氣就會(huì)顯得尖銳，對(duì)營(yíng)造融洽的合作關(guān)系極為不利。此時(shí)，函電中應(yīng)強(qiáng)調(diào)業(yè)務(wù)的履行情況，突出動(dòng)作的對(duì)象，淡化動(dòng)作的執(zhí)行者。采用被動(dòng)結(jié)構(gòu)的句式，會(huì)使陳述顯得客觀、委婉。例如：

①The articles have just been received after a delay of a fortnight，for which no explanation has yet been given to us.

②The quality of your shipment for our Order No.423 has been found not in conformity with the agreed specification. A claim will be lodged against you for the amount of US$15，000.00. The CCIB survey report is forwarded herewith and your early settlement is requested.

3.篇章結(jié)構(gòu)特征

(1)連貫

由于交流的雙方在時(shí)間和空間上的差距，幾乎每一篇信函的引言都要提及信函的指向。如在建立業(yè)務(wù)關(guān)系的信函中，通常先會(huì)告知對(duì)方是如何獲悉對(duì)方名址的。在寫(xiě)給已有業(yè)務(wù)關(guān)系的對(duì)方函電中，寫(xiě)信的一方要提及對(duì)方某一天的來(lái)信，或雙方已發(fā)生的某一筆交易。這體現(xiàn)了它連貫的語(yǔ)篇特征。例如：

①Having had your name and address from the Commercial Counselor’s Office of our Embassy in Pakistan， we avail ourselves of this opportunity to write to you and see if we can establish business relations with you.

②Thank you for your letter of September 18， 2007 giving us references ， but regret to say that these are not what we require.

③We are glad to have received your letter of 10th November in connection with your enquiry for Butterfly Bicycles.

(2)情景呼應(yīng)

除了使用語(yǔ)篇常用的語(yǔ)法和詞匯的銜接手段外，情景照應(yīng)和編號(hào)替代手段頻繁使用。例如：

Thank you very much for your Order No.532 for model Z-33 drilling machines received on November 19， 2007.

該句your Order No.532 for model Z-33 drilling machines使用了情景照應(yīng)手段，即函電中語(yǔ)義的照應(yīng)通常是在雙方已經(jīng)熟知的交易環(huán)境中實(shí)現(xiàn)。從此句可以推斷出對(duì)方已訂購(gòu)了訂單號(hào)為532的鉆床，這在語(yǔ)義上形成照應(yīng)，減少了傳遞信息中所產(chǎn)生的歧義，增強(qiáng)了語(yǔ)言的清晰度及表現(xiàn)力。

(3)層次鮮明

外貿(mào)函電往往強(qiáng)調(diào)一事一函， 便于對(duì)方答復(fù)， 以免發(fā)生混亂， 耽擱業(yè)務(wù)的開(kāi)展。若其核心部分涉及不同事項(xiàng)，通常按主次順序分幾個(gè)段落進(jìn)行說(shuō)明。函電正文一般包括四部分：引言、詳情、應(yīng)答和結(jié)束語(yǔ)。傳遞信息時(shí)，往往將信息置于句首，然后做出解釋，表明態(tài)度，最后用客氣禮貌的語(yǔ)言表示希望或謝意，給人順理成章，層次分明的感覺(jué)。例如：

Dear Sirs：

Re：S/C No.90-45897

We regret to inform you that we did not received your L/C covering the above Sales Confirmation till today. It is clearly stipulated in the said confirmation that the relevant L/C should reach us by the end of August. Although the time limit for the arrival of your credit has been exceeded， we are still prepared to ship your order in view of the long-term friendly relations between us.

However， owning to the late arrival of the L/C， we are unable to make shipment according to the date specified in the S/C. You are therefore requested to extend the validity of the L/C to the 26th November， 2006.

Please note that we require the amendment to L/C by the 30th September as otherwise we shall be unable to effect shipment at the time mentioned above.

We anticipate the early arrival of your amendment advice.

Sincerely yours，

三、結(jié)語(yǔ)

綜上， 外貿(mào)函電在詞匯、句子和篇章三個(gè)層次上體現(xiàn)出鮮明的文體特征。撰寫(xiě)外貿(mào)函電不僅要熟悉業(yè)務(wù)知識(shí)，了解業(yè)務(wù)流程， 還要有扎實(shí)的語(yǔ)言基礎(chǔ)并掌握函電的文體特征，只有這樣才能發(fā)揮函電的書(shū)面交際功能，提高寫(xiě)作水平。這對(duì)于維護(hù)企業(yè)形象，密切雙方的合作關(guān)系具有重要意義。

參考文獻(xiàn)：

[1]陳冬純:商務(wù)英語(yǔ)信函的體裁分析與撰寫(xiě)策略[J].國(guó)外外語(yǔ)教學(xué)，2003，2

[2]秦秀白:英語(yǔ)語(yǔ)體和文體要略[M].上海：上海外語(yǔ)教育出版社，2002

[3]廖瑛莫再樹(shù):國(guó)際商務(wù)英語(yǔ)語(yǔ)言與翻譯研究[M].北京：機(jī)械工業(yè)出版社，2005

[4]尹小瑩，郭黎光:外貿(mào)英語(yǔ)函電[M].西安：西安交通大學(xué)出版社，1998

[5]凌華倍朱佩芬:外經(jīng)貿(mào)英語(yǔ)函電與談判[M].北京：中國(guó)對(duì)外經(jīng)濟(jì)貿(mào)易出版社，2002