摘要

商务英语函电是国际贸易进行的重要方式，因此商务英语函电的写作对企业贸易的成功有着紧密的联系。在沟通交流中，人们通常不会直接表达他们想说的内容，往往倾向于一种委婉的方式。为了解释这一现象，李奇等学者提出了礼貌原则，他们认为在语言交际中，说者和听者应尽可能扩大礼貌的表达，最小化不礼貌的表达。礼貌原则在商务英语函电的写作中有着至关重要的意义。本文将着重分析原则的几个观点并辅以一些实际例子，尤其是关于李奇的礼貌原则在商务英语函电的应用。研究表明，一封礼貌且恰当的商务信函能确保贸易的顺利进行，并且建立一个和谐的贸易合作关系。本文总结得出，有意识的应用礼貌原则，对于书写一封有效的信函并取得满意的贸易结果有着重要作用。

关键词：礼貌原则；商务英语函电；写作技巧
 
Abstract

Business English correspondence is an important means in international business trades. Therefore the writing of business English correspondence has a close relation with the success of the company’s business. During the communication, people usually don’t express what they want to say directly, they tend to communicate in a euphemistic way. To explain this phenomenon, scholars like Geoffrey Leech put forward the politeness principle, they believe that during the verbal communication, the speaker and the hearer should try to maximize politeness and minimize the expression of impoliteness. Politeness principle has a critic meaning in business English correspondence writing. This paper aims at analyzing some major viewpoints of politeness principle together with several actual examples, especially about the application of Leech’s politeness principle in business letters. The study shows that a polite and proper business letter will ensure the business to run on smoothly, and establish favorable business relationship. The paper concludes that an awareness of the application of politeness principle is of great importance in writing an effective business letter and achieving satisfaction business results.

Key Words：politeness principle; business English correspondence; writing

1. Introduction
As the saying goes “To be polite will not lose anything, but it can get everything.” From that we can have a glimpse of the importance of politeness. During our daily communications, we can always see those misunderstandings and conflicts caused by the improper and impolite use of language, which finally leads to interpersonal tension. Everyone wants to be treated politely and respectfully, according to Maslow’s hierarchy needs, respect can be our basic needs. In order to respect others or to be respected, politeness always plays an important part. Then what is courtesy and how to be polite? When we look up the word “courtesy” in the dictionary, it is explained as “courteous behavior, good manners, courteous remark or act.” As mentioned above “To be polite will not lose anything, but it can get everything.” In other words, the application of politeness is significantly important, which is particular true when we are doing business with others. After China’s participation in World Trade Organization, China has developed more and more relations with other countries all around the world.\