淺析商務英語信函中的典型錯誤

[摘要] 文章結合對外貿易業務的一般程序，給出了商務英語信函中最常見的一些錯誤實例并作了具體的剖析，提出了成功擬寫商務英文信函的幾點建議。

[關鍵詞] 詢盤 報盤 索賠 仲裁

隨著世界貿易的發展，商務英語的應用越來越廣泛，其中信函的使用貫穿于整個外貿業務的始終。因此，對于商務英語學習者來說，不僅要掌握一般的基礎英語，而且要進一步提高外貿英語水平，尤其是順利地擬寫英文信函。本文按照開展對外貿易業務的一般程序將商務英語信函中最典型的錯誤加以列舉并作相應的分析。

一、開始業務

1.From our market survey we learn that you are for the market of Audio and Electronic Equipment.[誤]

From our market survey we learn that you are in the market for Audio and Electronic Equipment.[正]

[分析]“for the market of”并非固定短語，也無“有意購買”的意思，應改用“in the market for ”。如：We are in the market for bitter apricot kernels from China.

2.Some copies of latest catalogues are being airmailed to you on a separate cover.[誤]

Some copies of latest catalogues are being airmailed to you under a separate cover. [正]

[分析]“under separate cover”是經貿英語函電中常用的固定短語，表示“另函郵寄”，也可用“by separate post”來表示。

二、詢盤與報盤

1.Thank you for your letter ofJuly 15， enquiring our products and to request terms for bulk buying.[誤]

Thank you for your letter ofJuly 15， enquiring about our products and to request terms for bulk buying.[正]

[分析]在經貿英語函電中“enquire”常與“about”連用，表示“詢問”之意，與介詞“for”連用表示“詢盤”，“詢價”之意。要表示“向某人詢問”，應是“enquire of someone”.

2.The representative of the British Company has made an enquiry with the China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation. [誤]

The representative of the British Company has made an enquiry to/of the China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation.[正]

[分析]“就某物向某人詢價”是“make an enquiry/enquiries to/of sb. on/for sth.”.如：

Yesterday our manager flied to Shanghai to make an enquiry of the company for carpet.

三、訂貨及裝運、包裝

1.We want to buy 1，000 tons of coal with you because your price is attractive.[誤]

We want to buy 1，000 tons of coalfrom you because your price is attractive.[正]

[分析]“向某人訂貨”，可用“buy sth. from sb. / purchase from sb. sth./ book (place ) sth. with sb./place an order with sb.”等詞組來表示，但是要注意其中的介詞搭配。

2.The catalogue is enclosed hereto.[誤]

The catalogue is enclosed herewith(herein).[正]

[分析]hereto， herewith， herein 等用作副詞，用于經貿英語中表示“在此中”，與此一道”等意，習慣上hereto 跟在動詞attach 之后，表示“隨函附上”之意，

四、支付、索賠與仲裁

1.The L/C is opened for your favour.[誤]

The L/C is opened in your favour.[正]

[分析]經貿術語“以…為受益人”，“以…為抬頭”，“對…有利”等用in one’s favour 或 in favour of sb.來表示。如：The market situation is in favour of the importers.

2.The payment in arrear amounts to RMB one million.[誤]

The payment in arrears amounts to RMB one million.[正]

[分析]arrears 在經貿英語中指“欠款”，“尚未完成的工作”，習慣上不用單數形式arrear. In arrears 表示“拖欠”“拖延”。

3.Disputes may be submitted arbitration in case no settlement can be reached through negotiations.[誤]

Disputes may be submitted for arbitration in case no settlement can be reached through negotiations.[正]

[分析]to submit sth. for arbitration 之中的介詞for 無論是在主動語態還是在被動語態中都不能省略?！爸鞒只蜻M行仲裁”用to conduct arbitration， “解決爭議”用“to settle /handle the dispute.

4.The Japanese side agreed to compensate us the defective watches with 4% of the total value.[誤]

The Japanese side agreed to compensate us for the defective watches by 4% of the total value.[正]

[分析]“因…向某人賠償”通常用to compensate sb. for sth.這一詞組，若省略for，原句為“把質量低的手表賠給我們”，不合常理。所賠數量或金額應接在介詞by的后面。如：

I’m afraid you should compensate us by 5% of the total amount of the contract as well as the inspection fee.

以上所述是商務英語信函中最典型的一些錯誤，要避免類似錯誤在實際工作中出現，需要熟悉相關的專門術語及習慣表達，同時要注意商務英語中常用詞語的使用， 還應該在平時不斷積累商務方面的業務常識，力求寫出最精煉，準確的英文信函。

參考文獻：

[1]尹小瑩郭黎光:外貿英語函電[M].西安交通大學出版社，1998

[2]吳建明尚吉慶:現代實用商貿英語[M]．汕頭大學出版社， 1995