从顺应论的视角分析商务英语商业英语信函中的语用失误

Title:Analysis the Pragmatic Failure in English Business Letters from the Perspective of Adaptation Theory

Thesis Statement:

Business English letter is the main route and means of communication between the seller and the buyer to use for business connection, business communication, and consultation, which is an indispensable part of the international economy and international trade relations. A polite and decent business letters can help the writer to set up an image of good professional ethics and cultural accomplishment in other's mind, to make the other party willing to continue negotiation and cooperation. This paper will analyze the pragmatic failure in English business letters from the perspective of adaptation theory, explore the primary causes of the pragmatic failure, and enumerate pragmatic failures, which may appear in the writing of English commercial letters. After that, combine the politeness principles to analyze how to embody the politeness communication in English business letters with tact maxim, generosity maxim, approbation maxim, modesty maxim, agreement maxim, and sympathy maxim; connecting the communication ability with the correctness usage of English business letter’s format and language, thereby realize the purpose of smooth negotiations and cooperation Outline:

I. Introduction

II. English Business Letter and Theory of Linguistic Adaptation

2.1 English Commercial Letter

2.1.1 Business Characteristic and Structure of English Commercial Letter

2.1.2 Functions of English Commercial Letter

2.2 Theory of Linguistic Adaptation

2.2.1 Definition

2.2.2 The Adaptability of Language Construction

2.3 Language feature of English Business Letter from the Perspective of Adaptation Theory

2.3.1 Choice of Vocabulary for Commercial Letters

2.3.2 Choice of Stylistic and Sentence for Commercial Letters

2.3.3 Choice of Language Style and Attitudinal for Commercial Letters III. Analysis the Pragmatic Failure in English Business Letter from the View

of Adaptation Theory

3.1 Common Pragmatic Failure in English Business Letter

3.3.1 Pragmatic Failure of Salutation

3.3.2 Pragmatic Failure of Euphemism

3.3.3 Pragmatic Failure of Vague Language

3.2 Reasons of Pragmatic Failure

IV. The Countermeasures of Pragmatic Failure

4.1 Tact Maxim and Generosity Maxim for avoiding Pragmatic Failure

4.2 Approbation Maxim and Modesty Maxim for avoiding Pragmatic Failure

4.3 Agreement Maxim and Sympathy Maxim for avoiding Pragmatic Failure

V. Conclusion

References