被动语态在商务英语信函中的运用与翻译_英语论文

Application and Translation of Passive Voice in Business English Letters

摘要

商务英语信函是一种有着特殊意义的信函，是国际贸易中买卖双方进行交流的重要手段。随着经济全球化的进一步发展，商务信函对于促进各国之间的经济交流与合作发挥着越来越重要的作用。它牵涉到双方业务往来通信和买卖双方的利益关系，很多时候商务信函还被用来作为解决双方贸易争端的法律依据，所以商务信函特别要注重信息的准确性和规范性，注重措辞和语气上的礼貌、委婉、严谨。而被动语态在商务信函中的使用恰好符合上述要求。本文首先运用文献分析法分别介绍商务英语信函和被动语态，然后从四个层面探讨被动语态在商务信函中的运用。文章最后探讨了被动语态在商务英语信函中的翻译原则和翻译技巧。通过对商务信函具体案例的分析，探讨被动语态在商务英语信函中的运用对各方实现谈判目标所起到的重要作用。希望此次研究可以帮助商务英语学习者更深入地了解被动语态在商务信函中的功能，使其能更灵活地运用被动语态。

关键词：被动语态；商务英语信函；运用；翻译

Abstract

Business English letters have become the main method of communication between buyers and sellers in international trade. With further development of economic globalization, business letters have played an increasingly important role in promoting economic exchange and cooperation between countries. Sometimes business letters are used as a legal evidence to solve trade disputes. Therefore we should pay more attention to the standardization and correctness of the information, and the politeness and euphemism of the expressions. The use of passive voice in business letters happens to meet the above requirements. This thesis discusses the important role which the passive voice plays in business English letters. This thesis firstly introduces business English letter and passive voice by literature review, and then analyzes the application of passive voice in business English letters. Finally, it discusses translation principles and skills of passive voice in business English letter. It’s hoped that this study can help business English learners have a deeper understanding of the function of the passive voice in business letters and they can make a more flexible use of passive voice in business letters.

Key words：passive voice; business English letter; application; translation

Contents

Acknowledgments.i

Abstract & Key words in Englishii

Abstract & Key words in Chineseiii

Introduction1

1. Literature review1

   1.1 Business English letters . 1

1.2 Passive voice2

1.3 Previous studies of passive voice in business English letters3

    1.3.1 In cognitive perspective3

     1.3.2 In functional perspective3

    1.3.3 In phraseological perspective4

2. Application of passive voice in business English letters.4

2.1 Classification of passive voice in business English letters.4

2.1.1 Passive voice with action doer5

2.1.2 Passive voice without action doer.5

 2.1.3 Passive voice with formal subject5

2.2 Functions of passive voice in business English letters5

2.2.1 Ideational function.5

2.2.2 Interpersonal function6

2.2.3 Textual function8

2.3 Pragmatic analysis of passive voice in business English letters9

2.3.1 Realization of politeness principle.9

2.3.2 Realization of fair and objective principle10

2.3.3 Realization of principle of indirect expression of instructions10

2.4 Distinction of passive voice in common English and business English letters

    .10

3. Translation of passive voice in business English letters.12

   3.1 Turning passive voice into active voice 12

3.2 Using courteous and modest words.13

3.3 Adjusting word order14

Conclusion14

References16