从跨文化差异的视角透视外贸商务信函的体裁

Genre analysis of e-mail business correspondences from the perspective of cross-cultural differences

本文以体裁分析理论为基础,通过对40篇来自美国客户的电子商务信函进行研究,归纳分析了此类信函语篇的宏观体裁结构和微观语篇特征,并借助Hofstede(1980,2001)的文化维度理论和Hall(1976)的跨文化交际理论,从跨文化差异视角对其宏观体裁结构及微观语篇特征背后的深层意义进行透析。研究发现,美国客户在交际中的电子商务信函语篇中常常表现出对正式商务信函常见语步模式的偏离,语步结构趋于灵活化,并出现选择性语步与必要性语步之分。在跨文化背景下,美国人撰写的商务信函在措辞、情态、语态、人称等方面的突出特征体现了美国式追求效率、直接明晰、积极应对的商务沟通方式。本研究通过揭示美国客户电子商务信函的体裁特征和交际目的,引起人们对此类体裁文化意识的注意,帮助业内人士或相关人员理解和学习此类体裁的写作规范和特点,以期在相关职业场合下表现自如、适时适度。

Based on the theory of ESP genre analysis,this paper selected 40 American business correspondences from several foreign trade companies as a corpus.Using a systematic approach,this paper investigated macrostructure(genre and textual pattern)and microstructure(discourse features)of these 40 business correspondences,and analyzed the obligatory and optional moves from the perspective of cross-cultural theories of Hofstede(1980,2001)and Hall(1976).The results showed that,the move-structure of business correspondence written by Americans in business communication often deviates from that of formal business correspondence,and the move can be selective and obligatory with flexibility.American business correspondences are characterized by linguistic features in terms of dictation,tense voice and person pronoun,which have shown American style in pursuit of efficiency,directness and clarity,positive response to business communication.The research enables staff or related personnel to understand and learn the norms and characteristics of these genres,so as to be timely and appropriate on the occasions about relevant careers.