Abstract

The business English letters plays an important role in Cross-border Trade, and the words also influence the social communicative effects. The research of the lexical features of business English letters is the theme of this thesis that aims to make a conclusion of the lexical characteristics during the foreign trade by summarizing and analyzing the collected materials. Through comparing the differences between the specific letters and the daily letters, try to put forward the helpful and useful suggestions and advice to those business English learners and trade workers. Refer to the theme, many experts and scholars have made an in-depth study from the different perspectives, including the lexical meanings, functions and the accuracy. Based on Halliday’s three meta-functions, this kind of letter should meet the social and interpersonal functions. Hu Yanling, the professor from the Shandong Normal University, has proposed that the language in trade letters should be professional, precise, and courteous and refined, and so on. In the modern fast-speed business activities, the letter is the direct tool to communicate and exchange ideas, so that, the excellent business letter obviously promotes the cooperation relations and trade contacts. The research methods include the literal material law、experts-interviewing、experience-summarizing、comparing act as well as example-illustrating.

Key words: lexical features; Field; Tenor; Mode; Application

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Introduction.1

Chapter 1 The Lexical Features from the Perspective of Field2

1.1 The Technical Terms (Abbreviation or Abbreviated Forms) 2

1.2 The Borrowed Words (The Foreign Words) .3

1.3 The Idiomatic Phrases  4

Chapter 2 The Lexical Features from the Perspective of Tenor  .5

2.1 The Courtesy Principles 5

2.2 You Attitude or We Attitude .6

2.3 The Vague Language  .7

2.4 The Model Verbs  8

Chapter 3 The Lexical Features from the Perspective of Mode .9

3.1 The Use of Archaism  .9    

3.2 The Use of Big Words  9

3.3 The Antonyms and Synonyms  .10

Chapter 4 The Lexical Features from the Perspective of Application .11

4.1 The Clear and Refined Language 11

4.2 The Formal and Specific Language 12

4.3 Use the Languages Accurately 13

Bibliography

Acknowledgements