商务信函的英文书写规则(2)
(一)避免使用可能产生不同理解或意义不明确的词汇
〈例一〉
As to the steamers sailing from Hongkong to San Francisco, we have bimonthly direct services.
(从香港到旧金山有直达船)
但是bimonthly 究竟是一个月两次,还是两个月一次呢?不明确。因此,最好清楚明白地说明“一个月两次”
还是“两个月一次”:(a)We have two direct sailings every month from Hongkong to San Francisco.
(每月两次直达船)
(b)We have semimonthly direct sailing from Hongkong to San Francisco.
(每半月一次直达船)
(c)We have a direct sailing from Hongkong to San Francisco every two month.
(每两个月一次直达船)
(二)注意修饰词的位置,有时修饰词的位置不同,会导致不同的含意如:
(a)Please let us know what you wish us to do about this matter as soon as possible:
(b)Please let us know as soon as possible what you wish us to do about this matter.
以上两句中修饰的内容不同:
(a) 你们要求我们尽快做些什么。
(b) 请尽快告诉我们。
所以 (a) 可译成“请告诉你们要求我们为此尽快做些什么”;
(b) 可译为“请尽快告知,你们要我们为此事做些什么”。
(三) 注意代名词,关系代词和先行词的关系
按照英语习惯,句子中的代名词和关系代词一般是指离得最近的名词,因此要特别注意,以免引起误解或不清楚。
例句:
不好: They informed Messrs.John & Smith that they would receive an answer in a few days.
较好: They informed Messrs. John & Smith that latter would receive an answer in a few days.
(四)注意前后一致和紧凑,连贯
不一致:Being a certified public accountant, I am sure you can help us.
一致: Being a certified public accountant, you can surely help us.
or; As you are a certified public accountant, I am sure you can help us.
(五)仔细和恰当地分段落(Paragraphing)
商业书信要写得使人一读就明白,因此必须按照内容仔细和恰当的分段落,一般的分段落原则是一个段落一个意思(A paragraph for each point is a good general rule.)。现举例说明:
Dear Sirs,
It is reported in a domestic newspaper that the Iranian Central Bank has instructed the commercial banks to suspend their business of opening a new letter of credit as from the 3rd May for financial reason of foreign currency. Although it is said th