第十七章 涉外商务信函的翻译
一、商务信函的类别及相关知识
涉外商务信函是对涉外商务运作过程中使用的各种函件的总称。在国际商务活动中商务信函是商家、厂 家与客户之间用于联系业务、沟通商情、咨询答复的主要途径和工具。 从内容和商务操作过程的角度，涉外商务信函则可以划分为以下几大类：建立业务关系、产品推销类、 资信查询类、询盘类、发盘还盘类、定购类、支付类、装运通知类、保险类、索赔类和邀请致谢类等。 （阅读文中第160-162-页）
二、商务信函的篇章结构
无论是普通信还是商务信函，其格式（如齐头式、缩进式和混合式）和篇章结构都比较固定，并且两者差别不大，但后者比前者正式、严肃得多，即商务信函在篇章结构和行文风格的各个方面都有更具体的要求。一封正式的商务信函一般由以下几个部分构成并按照如下结构组成完整的篇章。
注意商务信函的开首语注意商务信函的开首语注意商务信函的开首语注意商务信函的开首语
1．我们高兴地收到贵方2004年4月30日来函。 We have pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 30th April.
2．谢谢贵方4月30日的询盘，并已获得我们充分注意。 We thank you for your enquiry of the 30th April, which has had our best attention.
3．我们收到您4月30日第M8301号来函。 We are in receipt of your letter Ref. M8301 dated the 30th April.
4．我们收到贵方上月1日来函及附件。 We acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st ultimo with the enclosure.
5．贵方上月22日来函及所附订单第212号一并收到 Your letter of 22nd ultimo, together with the order No.212 enclosed, has been received.
6．我们收到贵方5月3日来函及所附的订单356号，谢谢。 We acknowledge your of May 3 enclosing order No. 356, for which we thank you.
7．收到贵方7月31日来函及所签回的售货确认书21850号一份。 We are in possession of your letter of the 31st July enclosing a counter—signed copy of our S/C No.21850.
8．为复贵方2004年1月12日第 号来函，兹告。。。。。。 In response to your letter No.jG/HK dated 12th January, 2004, we wish to state that
注意商务信函的结尾语
1.殷切地等待贵方早日答复。 We are awaiting your early reply with interest.
2.我们将感谢贵方的迅速答复。 Your prompt reply will be appreciated.
3.对于您在这方面的密切合作预致谢意。 Thank you in advance for your close cooperation in this respect.
4.我们将感谢贵方对上述各点迅速加以注意。 Your prompt attention to the said points will be appreciated.
5.我们将乐于收到贵方来函，并保证给予充分注意。 We shall be pleased to receive your letter and assure you of our best attention.
6.贵方向我提出的任何新的订单都将受到我们的充分注意。 Any further orders that you may place with us will received our best attention.
7.请放心,我们将尽一切努力以满足贵方的要求。 Please be assured that we shall spare no effort to satisfy your requirements.
8.希望收到贵方关于进一步消息的回信。 We hope to receive your further information by return of post.
三、商务信函的文体特点
商务英语信函的是一种公文性质的信函，其主要内容涉及公事，交流目的的主要在于磋商公务，因此每一封商务公函都必须注重表达准确、规范、朴素，并且主题突出、中心明确。
1. 词汇使用特点 (1) 用词规范正
(2) 表意准确、专业性强
(3) 用语朴素、淡于修饰 例如： Dear Sirs Our stock will comprise the latest models direct from Paris, which will be offered by us at an exceedingly moderate price, and we may be able to count upon your kind patronage. Yours truly 先生： 本公司的存货品均直接由巴黎购入，款式新颖，且能以最公道的价格供应。我们相信将能得到贵公司关照。 敬上 这是一封非常简单的商务信函（推销商品），用词简单明了。
(1) count upon your kind patronage相信将能得到贵方关照。count upon 活译为“相信”，原意为“指望”表达这一意思的词语还有 look to sb., expect sth. from sb., look forward to .
(2) patronage 光顾，惠顾。Your patronage is respectfully solicited. 如蒙光顾，无任欢迎。
2．句式结构特点
(1)句式正规完整 例1： We are in a position to supply Woollen Lady Dress Cloth in attractive and elegant designs/shades, best selling in markets all over the world. Buyers’ designs and shades are subject to our manufactures’ approval. 我们供应的女装呢，花色美观大方，畅销世界各地。可接受买方花色，但以我工厂同意为准。
例2: You letter of August 1,2001 addressed to our sister branch, enquiring for Corduroy, has been passed on to us for attention. As the article enquired for is handled by our Corporation, we shall therefore be glad if you write to us direct hereafter for it. 贵公司2001年8月1日致我兄弟公司函关于询购灯芯绒一事已转给我公司办理。所询品种系我公司经营，故欢迎今后直接来信联系该项业务。
（2）用陈述句表示委婉的祈使意义
(3)大量使用套语 please be informed that…兹通知你方……；in the market for…欲购……； Your prompt reply will be obliged. 如蒙速复不胜感激。 Something will be sent upon request. 承索即寄XXX。 The offer is subject to our confirmation. 此报盘须经确认有效。 The offer is firm for 3 days. 此报盘有效期为3天。
（4）使用倒装句
3．礼貌、婉娩语气的准确把握
例如：
1).We shall make you special offer for an order of not less than 1,000Dzs. At a time. 若一次订单量不少于1,000打,我方将为贵方特别报盘.
2) The L/C should be issued at an early time for our prompt shipment. 贵方应尽早开出信用证,以利我方出货.
3). Attached please find a quotation No.72-A301 covering several commodities in regular supply, but all price quoted are subject to our final confirmation. 附寄报价单第72-A301一份,内列有几只我公司经常供应的商品, 但所列价格以我们方最后确认为准。
四、商务信函的翻译要点
根据商务英语信函的特点，我们在翻译商务英语信函的时应当遵从准确规范、功能对等的原则。
例如：
1. In case of interest, please let us have your orders indicating quantity, delivery, etc. so that we may send you sales Confirmations. 如感兴趣，请寄我定单，列明所需要数量、交货期等，以便我寄您售货确认书。
2.We are certain that we are offering a sound article at popular price, and we should appreciate an opportunity to substantiate our claims. 本公司断定我们所提供的 货物货色优良，价格公道，感谢贵公司给我们一个机会，使我们的要求得以实现。
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