摘  要

语块是一种具有词汇和语法特征的多词汇语言结构。语言主要由语块组成，其流利性，在很大程度上，取决于储存在人脑中的语块量。在经济全球化的过程中，中国对外贸易不断扩大，企业间的交流和沟通日趋频繁。商务英语信函，作为一种重要的交流方式，其语言质量对促进商务活动的顺利进行有很大的影响。本文以Nattinger and DeCarrico的语块分类为基础，采用定性定量相结合的方式，选取了四种常用类型的商务英语信函各10篇来研究语块的语用功能，它们分别是询盘、报价、还盘和包装装运。研究发现：第一,语块的运用可以提高信函语言的准确性；第二，可以增强礼貌性；第三，可以使语篇结构更加清晰。本研究旨在提高商务英语信函用语的准确性，以便促进国与国之间的国际贸易交流。

关键词：商务英语信函；语块；语用功能

Abstract

As a multi-word language structure, lexical chunks have the features of both grammar and lexis. Language is mainly composed of lexical chunks. And, to a large extent, the fluency of language depends on the quantity of lexical chunks that are stored in one’s mind. In the process of economic globalization, international trade has kept expanding. Communications between companies tend to be more frequent. Business English correspondence, as one of the most important means of communication, its language quality has a significant impact on the process of a successful business deal. In this paper, by Nattinger and DeCarrico’s classifications of lexical chunks, the author adopts the qualitative and quantitative approaches to study pragmatic functions of lexical chunks by choosing four types of business English correspondences. They are enquiries, offers, counter-offers, and packing shipment, each of which is selected by ten pieces. It is found in this study that the application of lexical chunks can increase accuracy, enhance politeness, and achieve clearer discourse structures in business English correspondence. The research is designed to enhance the accuracy of diction in business English correspondence and promote international trade communications between countries.

Key words: business English correspondence; lexical chunks; pragmatic functions