摘要

礼貌原则作为商务信函写作的一个基本要求，在不同类型英语信函中的体现也不一样，因此，在运用礼貌原则时，必须充分考虑对礼貌策略的选择，才可以使英语商务信函成功地达到交际目的。 本文分析了英语商务信函的定义、分类和特征，根据Leech的礼貌原则的理论框架，结合商务信函的实例，采用文献研究法和举例法从言语语境和非言语语境的角度研究了礼貌原则在不同类型英语商务信函中的运用。本课题的研究对人们如何用英语商务信函从事商务活动具有一定的现实意义。

关键词  英语商务信函，礼貌原则，礼貌策略，语境

Abstract

As a basic requirement of business letter writing, strategies of Politeness Principles are different in different types of letters. Therefore, when using Politeness Principle, one must fully consider the choice of politeness strategy, which makes the English business letters successfully achieve the communicative purpose. This paper analyzes the definition, classification and language features of English business letters. According to Leech's Politeness Principle, this paper studies the English business letters by the methods of literature research and exemplification research from the perspective of context---linguistic context and non-linguistic context. The research gives inspiration and guidance to people engaged in the business communication when English business letters serves as a medium.

Keywords  English business letters, politeness principle, politeness strategy, context

1  Introduction
With the rapid development of science and economy, English business letters gradually become an important means of communication in the economic field, by which people can exchange information, keep business contact, have trade talks and negotiations, deal with business problems, build friendship and so on.
Politeness Principle is very important in promoting the letter-writing skill, making smooth communication and making successful trade. If we totally understand how to use Politeness Principal in English business letters, we can achieve successful communication. So we are going to talk about the Politeness Principle. 
Leech thinks that Politeness Principle is intended to point out that both speakers must be polite in order to help achieve the ideal communicative effect. It includes six maxims: Tact Maxim, Generosity Maxim, Approbation Maxim, Modesty Maxim, Agreement Maxim, Sympathy Maxim.