商务英语信函中词块的使用研究_英语论文

A Study of the Use of Lexical Chunks in Business English Letters

摘要

近年来，随着语料库语言学的兴起，词块的研究引起了众多学者的关注。在二十世纪七十年代中期，Becker和Bolinger率先提出“词块”这一概念。大量研究表明词块在语言使用中大量存在，词块同时具有词汇和语法的特点，还具有创造性和生成性。词块量的多少与语言的流利程度息息相关。

随着经济的全球化及中国国际地位的提升，国际间的贸易往来也随之频繁。各国之间用于企业贸易交流的最主要的方式便是商务英语信函了，其在很大程度上影响着国际间的贸易能否成功。考虑到词块在语言学习中所起到的重要作用以及商务英语信函的实际应用价值，那么研究词块在商务英语信函中的使用情况就显得尤为必要。

本文试图从语块理论视角对商务英语信函中词块使用的特点进行探讨。首先，文章从相关书籍中选取了较为常用的商务英语信函，共计三十篇，分别涉及询盘、报价、装运。根据Natteringer和Decarrico词块理论的分类标准，对所选商务英语信函中的语块使用情况进行了分类；接着，文章分析了商务英语信函中词块使用的特点及优势；最终文章提出了词块学习的重要性。

关键词：词块；商务英语信函；特点；优势

Abstract

In recent years, many researchers pay close attention to the study of  lexical chunks with growing up of the corpus linguistics. In the mid of 1970s, “Lexical Chunks” ,the concept was first came up with by Becker and Bolinger. A large number of studies have shown that Lexical chunks abound in the language use, and meanwhile ,it has the features of both vocabulary and grammar. Lexical chunks are creative and productive which make people learn a language more efficiently. The more lexical chunks you command, the more fluent of your language.

With the economic global development and the promotion of China’s international standing, international trade is also increasing. Therefore, business English letters have become an important part between the communication of the Chinese and foreign enterprises. To a great extent, it really affects whether the business transactions can be successful. Considering that lexical chunks play the important role in language learning and have the actual value in business English letters, it is necessary to study the use condition of lexical chunks in business letters.

This paper intends to make a study of the applied characteristics of lexical chunks in business English letters from the perspective of Lexical Approach. At first, this paper selects 30 pieces of business English letters, including letters of inquiry, offer and shipment from some related textbooks. Then the writer identifies and classifies lexical chunks used in business English letters according to Natteringer and Decarrico’s classification. After that, it gives a description of features of business English letters. On the basis, it analyzes the features and advantages of lexical chunks used in business English letters. Finally, it points out that the significance of the use of lexical chunks in business English letters writing.

Key words: lexical chunks; business English letters; characteristics; advantages

Contents

Acknowledgement i

Abstract & Key words in English ii

Abstract & Key words in Chinese iii

Introduction 1

1.Literature Review 1

1.1Overseas Studies 2

    1.2Domestic Studies 2

2.Brief Introduction to Lexical Chunks 3

2.1Definition of Lexical Chunks 3

2.2Classifications of Lexical Chunks 3

3.Overview of Business English Letters 4

3.1Classifications of Business English Letters 4

3.2Principles of Business English Letters Writing 4

4. Research Design 6

4.1Research Questions 6

4.2 Data Collection 6

4.3 The Criterion for Lexical Chunks Identification 7

4.4Analysis Procedures 7

5.Results and Discussions 8

5.1Findings from the Figure Analysis 8

5.2Features of the Use of Lexical Chunks in Business English Letters 9

5.3Advantages of the Use of Lexical Chunks in Business English Letters 10

Conclusion 11

References 13