施國華
(廣西國際商務職業技術學院外語系,廣西 南寧 530007)
互聯網+時代跨境電子商務應運而生。在跨境電子商務交易磋商過程中,跨境電商與客戶磋商溝通的主要方式就是擬寫電子信函。因此掌握電子信函的銜接寫作技巧對跨境電商人員來說是一項必備的寫作技能。本文從關聯理論最佳關聯性的角度出發,分析了跨境電商電子信函在銜接上的的最佳關聯特點,探討了提高電子信函銜接寫作技巧的方法。
由Sperber和Wilson兩位學者提出的關聯理論認為語言交際遵循著“明示——推理”的交際模式。“明示”和“推理”是交際過程的兩個方面。為使交際獲得成功,說話人(寫信人)和聽話人(閱信人)唯一的共同目標是要理解對方以及被對方理解。關聯理論的兩條原則分別是認知原則和交際原則。所謂認知原則就是人類認知傾于同最大程度的關聯性相吻合;所謂交際原則就是每一個話語或其它交際行為都應設想為具有最佳關聯性。關聯理論的最佳關聯性對提高跨境電商電子信函的銜接寫作技巧有很強的指導意義。
跨境電子信函可分為:商洽函、詢問函、請求函、高知函、拒絕函、投訴函、致歉函、建議函、感謝函、邀請函、慰問函、祝賀函、推銷函、聯系函等。關聯理論的最佳關聯性體現在跨境電子信函格式、句子、段落以及發信和回信之間的銜接上。
電子信函格式如下:
以上9個部分的內容有序排列,形成一體,體現格式銜接上的整體性。
1.簡單句內的關聯銜接
例1采用介詞銜接:
A sight draft will be drawn on you through the Bank of China.已經通過中國銀行向你方開立了一張即期匯票。句中使用"on 和through這兩個介詞銜接句意。
例2采用介詞短語銜接:
In addition to the gross,net and tare weight,the shipping marks should include the words" Made in China" 除了毛重、凈重和皮重,運輸標志還應該包括中國制造的字樣。句中使用“In addition to"這個介詞短語進行銜接。
例3采用副詞銜接:
Any delay will undoubtedly involve us in no small difficulty.任何延誤都將會毫無疑問使我們陷入不小的困境。句中“undoubtedly”這個副詞起到強化語氣的銜接作用。
例4采用分詞銜接:
We write this letter,asking you to open an irrevocable L/C.我方寫這封信,要求你方開立一份不可撤銷的信用證。句中"asking" 這個現在分詞起到詳細描述來信內容的連接作用。
2.復合句內的關聯銜接
例1采用連詞銜接:
Although we are keen to do business with you,we regret that we cannot accept your counter offer.雖然我們渴望與你方做交易,但是抱歉我們無法接受你方還盤。句中運用“although”這:個連詞連接主句和從句,表達轉折。
例2采用定語從句銜接
Enclosed is our Sales Contract No,354 in duplicate of which please countersign and return one copy to us for our file.隨函附上我方354號銷售合同一式兩份,其中請會簽并退回一份給我方以便存檔。句中使用”of which“ 連接主句和定語從句
例3采用轉折副詞銜接:
We would like to place repeat orders with you if you could reduce your price at least by 10%.Otherwise,we have to shift to the other suppliers."如果你方能降價10% 我方將續訂,否則我方將轉向其他供貨商。句中的“otherwise ”連接以上兩個簡單句,表示轉折。
例如采用介詞短語進行關聯銜接:
We note that you can supply these items from stock and hope you will make delivery by the end of November.
For your reference,we wish to effect payment by D/P at 60 days’ sight.Please kindly let us have your confirmation.
兩段之間的for your reference有”供你參考“之意,起到遞進的銜接作用。
1.用發信結束句和回信開頭句進行關聯銜接
例如:寫信人在發信的結尾往往會寫“We look forward to your early reply.We anticipate your immediate acceptance.We expect your settlement before March 10.2016.We look forward to your early reply.We anticipate your immediate acceptance.We expect your settlement before March 10.2016.”這類希望對方回復的期待語。而回信人在回信的開頭往往會寫“Thank you for your letter of April 1,2016,offering us 1000 metric tons of peanuts.;In reply to your letter of May 20,2016 enquiring for rice,we are making you an offer as follows:”這類提及來信的開頭句。通過發信的結束語和回信的開頭語來銜接往來信函。
2.發信和回信正文內容之間的關聯銜接
在跨境電商交易中,電商根據交易業務流程擬寫信函,在發信正文和回信正文內容之間需要存在必要的銜接。例如買方詢購A4紙:

From:dylan@jhtrading.com.cnTo:sathida@scg.com.thDate:Jun.9,20—Subject:An inquiry for A4 Copy PaperDear Sirs,We learn from www.thaipaper.com that you are a leading paper supplier in Thailand.We are very interested in your A4 Copy Paper in Idea Type.Would you please inform us of the price,shipment and payment Please quote us your most favorable prices.If your prices are competi-tive,we will place a large order with you.Looking forward to your early reply.Best Regards Dylan WangImport Manager
賣方收到后進行報盤回復:

From:sathida@ scg.com.thTo:dylan@ jhtrading.com.cnDate:Jun.9,20—Subject:An offer for A4 Copy PaperDear Dylan,Thank you for your inquiry of June 9,20—for our A4 Copy Paper in I-dea Type.As requested,we take pleasure in offering you,subject to your reply reaching us by the end of this month as follows:Commodity:Idea max 70g,Price:at USD 50/mt FOB BangkokShipment:within 20 days after receipt of the L/CPayment:by an L/C at sight or T/T100% before production.Looking forward to your early reply.Best regardsSathidaExport Manager
在整個詢盤和報盤磋商環節中,買方發出和賣方回復的信函在內容上緊密銜接。
牢記商務電子信函在格式上的銜接特點。例如:發件人-收件人-日期-事由-稱呼-郵件正文-禮貌結束語-發件人全名-職務-附件,按以上順序排列格式內容。
寫好跨境電子信函的首要任務就是要牢記各業務環節的核心詞匯。例如建立業務關系establish business relations;詢盤enquire for,make an enquiry for;報盤offer,quote,make an offer for;還盤counteroffer,make a counteroffer for;成交accept the order,sign and countersign the contract,fulfill the contract 等。
而掌握套句是寫好跨境電子信函的基礎。例如建立業務關系套句:We owe your name and address to the Commercial Counselor’s Office of xxx Embassy in … We hope you can establish business relations with us.;詢盤套句:We are interested in…We want to buy…We shall be obliged if you could quote…,stating…;報盤套句:We are making you a firm offer for…(goods)at…(price)for shipment in…for payment by…;還盤套句:Please reduce your quotation by 2% as it is found to be on the high side.牢記這些套句會使信函邏輯緊湊。
學會歸納不同業務環節信函正文中各段落的寫作內容。
例如報盤函三段正文的寫作要點為:
開頭段:感謝對方某年某月某日關于某商品的詢盤。
中間段:進行報盤并陳述報盤條款同時勸說對方接受。
結尾段:期待收到對方接受。
再如還盤函三段正文的寫作要領為:
開頭段:感謝對方某年某月某日關于某商品的報盤。
中間段:說明不能接受報盤,陳述原因并致歉。給出還盤建議。
結尾段:希望對方接受還盤建議。
例如要求修改信用證函寫作模版:

From:To: Date:Subject:Asking for Amending…Dear Customer,We have received with thanks your L/C No….under S/C No…After checking the L/C,we find some discrepancies.Please amend the L/C as follows:1.Please amend … 2.…should be… instead of… Please make necessary amendment to your L/C with the least possible delay.We look forward to your L/C amendment.Best Regards,xxx
跨境電商如果能掌握電子信函寫作上的最佳關聯銜接技巧,并按照以上方法進行訓練,就能達到不斷提高電子信函寫作水平的目的。
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[3]劉杰英,主編.世紀商務英語函電與單證[M].大連理工大學出版社.