商务英语信函中的典型错误

[摘 要]文章结合对外贸易业务的一般程序,给出了商务英语信函中最常见的一些错误实例并作了具体的剖析,提出了成功拟写商务英文信函的几点建议.

[关 键 词]询盘报盘索赔仲裁

随着世界贸易的发展,商务英语的应用越来越广泛,其中信函的使用贯穿于整个外贸业务的始终.因此,对于商务英语学习者来说,不仅要掌握一般的基础英语,而且要进一步提高外贸英语水平,尤其是顺利地拟写英文信函.本文按照开展对外贸易业务的一般程序将商务英语信函中最典型的错误加以列举并作相应的分析.

一、开始业务

1.FromourmarketsurveywelearnthatyouareforthemarketofAudioandElectronicEquipment.[误]

FromourmarketsurveywelearnthatyouareinthemarketforAudioandElectronicEquipment.[正]

[分析]“forthemarketof”并非固定短语,也无“有意购写”的意思,应改用“inthemarketfor”.如：WeareinthemarketforbitterapricotkernelromChina.

2.Somecopiesoflatestcataloguesarebeingairmailedtoyouonaseparatecover.[误]

Somecopiesoflatestcataloguesarebeingairmailedtoyouunderaseparatecover.[正]

[分析]“underseparatecover”是经贸英语函电中常用的固定短语,表示“另函邮寄”,也可用“byseparatepost”来表示.

二、询盘与报盘

1.ThankyouforyourletterofJuly15,enquiringourproductsandtorequesttermorbulkbuying.[误]

ThankyouforyourletterofJuly15,enquiringaboutourproductsandtorequesttermorbulkbuying.[正]

[分析]在经贸英语函电中“enquire”常与“about”连用,表示“询问”之意,与介词“for”连用表示“询盘”,“询价”之意.要表示“向某人询问”,应是“enquireofsomeone”.

2.TherepresentativeoftheBritishCompanyhaadeanenquirywiththeChinaNationalMachineryImportandExportCorporation.[误]

TherepresentativeoftheBritishCompanyhaadeanenquiryto/oftheChinaNationalMachineryImportandExportCorporation.[正]

[分析]“就某物向某人询价”是“makeanenquiry/enquiriesto/ofsb.on/forsth.”.如：

YesterdayourmanagerfliedtoShanghaitomakeanenquiryofthepanyforcarpet.

三、订货及装运、包装

1.Wewanttobuy1,000tonsofcoalwithyoubecauseyourpriceisattractive.[误]

Wewanttobuy1,000tonsofcoalfromyoubecauseyourpriceisattractive.[正]

[分析]“向某人订货”,可用“buysth.fromsb./purchasefromsb.sth./book(place)sth.withsb./placeanorderwithsb.”等词组来表示,但是要注意其中的介词搭配.

2.Thecatalogueisenclosedhereto.[误]

Thecatalogueisenclosedherewith(herein).[正]

[分析]hereto,herewith,herein等用作副词,用于经贸英语中表示“在此中”,与此一道”等意,习惯上hereto跟在动词attach之后,表示“随函附上”之意,

四、支付、索赔与仲裁

1.TheL/Cisopenedforyourfour.[误]

TheL/Cisopenedinyourfour.[正]

[分析]经贸术语“以等为受益人”,“以等为抬头”,“对等有利”等用inone’our或infourofsb.来表示.如：Themarketsituationisinfouroftheimporters.

2.ThepaymentinarrearamountstoRMBonemillion.[误]

ThepaymentinarrearsamountstoRMBonemillion.[正]

[分析]arrears在经贸英语中指“欠款”,“尚未完成的工作”,习惯上不用单数形式arrear.Inarrears表示“拖欠”“拖延”.

3.Disputeaybesubmittedarbitrationincasenosettlementcanbereachedthroughnegotiations.[误]

Disputeaybesubmittedforarbitrationincasenosettlementcanbereachedthroughnegotiations.[正]

[分析]tosubmitsth.forarbitration之中的介词for无论是在主动语态还是在被动语态中都不能省略.“主持或进行仲裁”用toconductarbitration,“解决争议”用“tosettle/handlethedispute.

4.TheJapanesesideagreedtopensateusthedefectivewatcheswith4%ofthetotalvalue.[误]

TheJapanesesideagreedtopensateuorthedefectivewatchesby4%ofthetotalvalue.[正]

[分析]“因等向某人赔偿”通常用topensatesb.forsth.这一词组,若省略for,原句为“把质量低的手表赔给我们”,不合常理.所赔数量或金额应接在介词by的后面.如：

I’mafraidyoushouldpensateusby5%ofthetotalamountofthecontractaswellastheinspectionfee.

以上所述是商务英语信函中最典型的一些错误,要避免类似错误在实际工作中出现,需要熟悉相关的专门术语及习惯表达,同时要注意商务英语中常用词语的使用,还应该在平时不断积累商务方面的业务常识,力求写出最精炼,准确的英文信函.