商务英语函电的七C’s原则及其语言特点

七C’s原则指的是：Completeness ,Conciseness, Consideration, Concreteness, Clarity, Courtesy, Correctness

一、Completeness (完整)

一封商业信函应概括各项必需的事项，要写清楚所有所需信息和反馈的信息。

Firstly, complete messages are more likely to bring the desired results without the expense of additional messages .Secondly, they can do a better job of building goodwill. Thirdly, complete messages can help avert costly lawsuits which may result if important information is missing. Finally, papers that seem inconsequential can be surprisingly important if the information they contains is complete and effectively.

二、Conciseness (简洁)

简洁明了的语言是现代商务英语的突出特点

1.首字母缩略语

例如：L／C (letter of credit)信用证，B／L(Bill of Lading)海运提单，POD(port of destination)目地港。

2.截短词

例如：biz (=business)商业，Corp (=corporation)公司等。

3.避免废话连篇例

(1)We wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter...可改为：We appreciate your letter...

(2)Enclosed herewith please find two copies of...可改为: We enclose two copies of...

4.短句、单词的运用

(1)Enclosed herewith――>enclosed

(2)at this time――>now

三、Consideration （体谅）

书写商务英语信函时要处处从对方的角度去考虑有什么需求，要尊重对方。例如：

“You earn 2 % discount when you pay cash. We will send you the brochure next month. ”就比 “We allow2 % discount for cash payment. We won't be able to send you the brochure this month.” 要好。

四、Concreteness（具体）

1.使用具体事实和数字

2.用主动语态叙述

3.选用形象、生动的词汇

例如：

AbstractConcrete

Termination of theThe insurance contract ends in June.

insurance contract will be in June.

五、Clarity （清楚）

意思表达明确、清楚，要注意一下问题：

1.避免用词错误：

例如：As to the steamers sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco, we have bimonthly direct services.

此处bimonthly有歧义：可以是twice a month or once two month.故读信者就迷惑了，可以改写为：

(1)We have semimonthly direct sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco.

(2)We have a direct sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco.

2.注意词语所放的位置：

例如：

(1)We shall be able to supply 10 cases of the item only.

(2)We shall be able to supply 10 cases only of the item.

前者则有两种商品以上的含义。

3.注意句子的结构：

例如：

(1)We sent you 5 samples yesterday of the goods which you requested in your letter of May 20 by air.

(2)We sent you, by air, 5 samples of the goods which you requested in your letter of May 20.

六、Courtesy （礼貌）

语言要有礼且谦虚，及时地回信也是礼貌的表现

例如：

We have received with many thanks your letter of 20 May, and we take the pleasure of sending you our latest catalog. We wish to draw your attention to a special offer which we have made in it.

You will be particularly interested in a special offer on page 5 of the latest catalog enclosed, which you requested in your letter of 20 May

七、Correctness （正确）

商务英语要求准确清楚。主要体现在以下几个方面

1.尽量多使用语体较正式的词语。

例如用inform替代te11，purchase替代buy等。

2.多使用单个动词替代动词词组

例如：用continue替代keep on或go on，supplement替代add to等。

3.使用介词短语来代替简单的介词和连词

例如用inaccordancewith代替according to；用for the purpose of代替for等。

4.商务英语合同文本或协议中常使用古旧词语以显得庄重严肃

例如hereafter，herein，hereunder，thereto，where―by，wherein等。

5.选择非性别歧视的词语

总之，商务英语有其自己的原则和其独特的语言特点，如果能掌握之，并通过大量的实践，就会赢得更多的商机。

参考文献：

[1]张春柏:商务英语写作.北京:高等教育出版社

[2]庄学艺:外贸业务与函电.上海:上海教育出版社