摘要

近年来，随着国际贸易的快速发展，商务信函在商务交流中起着至关重要的作用。通过使用商务信函，企业间可以分享信息，一起解决交易中存在的问题。一个商务活动的成功在很大程度上取决于一封优秀的商务信函。一封得体而又礼貌的商务信函可以帮助双方建立一个友好的关系。但是，一封不礼貌的商务信函不仅可能导致商务活动的失败，而且可能损害企业的形象。
本文总结了先前的理论和研究成果，并且通过一些实例，分析商务信函的写作特征，重点探讨了礼貌原则在商务英语信函中的意义，分析如何在写作技巧中体现礼貌策略以提高商务英语写作的水平，促进商务活动的顺利进行。

关键词  商务信函，礼貌原则，应用

Abstract

In recent years, with the rapid development of international trade, business correspondence plays a significant role in business communication. By using business correspondence, enterprises can share information and solve the problems existing in trading. Success of a business activity is dependent on an excellent business correspondence greatly. A decent and courtesy business correspondence can help to establish a favorable relationship between the two parties. However, an impolite business correspondence may not only lead to the failure of the business activity, but also damage the image of the enterprise.
This thesis summarizes previous theories and research results and analyzes the writing characteristics of business correspondence through some examples. It emphasizes the investigating of the significance of politeness principle in English Business Correspondence and the analyzing of how the writing techniques embody politeness strategies, thus to improve the writing skills and promote business communications.

Keywords  business correspondence, politeness principle, application

1  Introduction
Politeness exists in every language community and every aspect of human life. Many linguists have showed great interests in it. A series of theories have been proposed long ago to explain politeness. Interestingly, as to the question of “What is politeness?” There seems to be no clear answer. Lakoff thinks that Politeness is a system of interpersonal relations designed to facilitate interaction by minimizing the potential for conflict and confrontation inherent in all human interchange. Leech considers that politeness is used to create and maintain harmonious interactions. Brown and Levinson believe that polite behaviors allow communication to take place between potentially aggressive partners.