准确和正确

Chapter 1　准确和正确Correctness

一、词语注释

1. acne　n. 痤疮；粉刺

2. affirmation　n. the act of affirming; assertion 肯定；断言

3. bureaucratic　adj. connected with a bureaucracy 官僚政治的，官僚派头的

4. catalog(ue)　n. a book containing pictures and information about things you can buy商品目录

5. circular　n. a printed advertisement, directive, or notice intended for mass distribution通知；通告；传单

6. claim　n. to demand, ask for, or take as one’s own or one’s due 要求，索取，索赔

7. correspondence　n. the letters that someone sends and receives 信件，信函

8. freight　n. goods that are carried by vehicles; the system of transporting goods in these ways（车辆运输的）货物；货运

9. culprit　n. the person responsible for doing something bad or illegal 犯过失的人；犯人

10. diction　n. the choice of words used in a speech or piece of writing 措辞，选词用字

11. digression　n. turning aside or wandering away (from the subject) 离题；枝节话

12. dispatch　vt. to send someone or something somewhere 派遣，发送

13. documentary credit　跟单信用证

14. D/P　Documents Against Payment 付款交单

15. earmark　vt. to set aside (money, time, etc.) for a particular purpose 指定（资金、时间等）作特定用途

16. enclose　vt. to send something such as a document with a letter 把……封入信封；随信寄出

17. ensuing　adj. happening after something else, often as a result of it 接着发生的，接踵而来的，随之产生的

18. enumerate　vt. to name each one of a series or list of things列举，枚举

19. envisage　vt. to consider or regard in a certain way 想象；设想

20. format　n. the general arrangement, plan, design, etc. of something安排，设计

21. gauge　n. a standard measure of weight, size, etc., to which objects can be compared

标准尺寸，标准规格

22. idiomatic　adj. expressing things in a way that sounds natural 地道的，自然的

23. label　vt. to describe or classify 描述，归类

24. L/C　letter of credit 信用证

25. manifest　vt. to show or demonstrate plainly; to reveal 显示；表明

26. namesake　n. one that has the same name as another; especially one who is named after another or for whom another is named 同名人或物

27. nature　n. a basic quality or feature of something 本质，品质，特征

28. mechanics　n. the ways in which something works, produces results, etc. 技巧；技术性细节

29. neutrality　n. the state or policy of being neutral 中立

30. nutshell　vt. to generalize 概括

31. overlook　vt. to ignore deliberately or indulgently; to fail to notice; to miss假装不见；忽略；漏看

32. perspective　n. a way of thinking about something 看法，观点，视角

33. precede vt. to come before in order or rank在……之前，居先于

34. redundancy　n. a situation in which something is not used because something similar or the same already exists 重复，多余

35. relevance　n.　practical value or importance 实用性；意义

36. remark　n. a few words that give the facts or your opinion about something; comment 评论，谈论，话

37. reservoir　n. a large amount of something that is available to be used 贮藏，蓄积

38. revision　n. something that has been changed, improved or added to; a change, improvement, or addition that someone makes to something 修订本，订正过的版本；修订，校订

39. sample　n. specimen; one of a number, part of a whole, taken to show what the rest is like　样本，样品，货样

40. semantic　adj. relating to meaning of words 语义的

41. significant　adj. very large or noticeable 相当数量的，显著的

42. specification　n. a detailed, exact statement of particulars, especially a statement prescribing materials, dimensions, and quality of work for something to be built or manufactured 规格，规范

43. substantial　adj. large in amount or degree; considerable 数目大的，可观的，大量的

44. transposition　n. 词序改变

45. variation　n. something that is slightly different from similar things 变异的东西，变体

46. varnish　n. a deceptively attractive external appearance; an outward show 粉饰；掩饰

47. version　n. a form of something that is slightly different from the earlier form 版本

48. wary　adj. careful; looking out for danger; on guard; cautious and alert for problems

谨慎的；谨防的；小心翼翼的

49. wording　n. the words that are used in a particular piece of writing or speech 用词，措词

二、课文参考译文

学习商务信函写作的目的，在于所写的函件能够达到其本来的目标，即传达信息，有时还需要说服对方。这样就需要掌握一些写作方法和技巧。这方面人们已经总结出了一些写作原则，经常以几个首宇母都为C的英语单词来表示。

这些原则，最初人们归纳为三个，后来逐步增加到了五个、六个直至七个，主要是：完整（completeness）、简洁（conciseness）、具体（concreteness）、正确（correctness）、清晰（clarity）、体谅（consideration）、礼貌（courtesy），其顺序在不同的文章或教材中有所变化。

笔者认为可以对之作些调整。首先，商务信函是否“正确”是最为关键的，应当坐上头把交椅；其次，想要讲“清楚”，就必须把话说完整，因此“完整”不应当单独成科；再其次，中国学生使用英语写作面向国外读者的商务信函，显然应当注意克服人们通常称为Chinglish的许多毛病，应当成为一大要点；最后，多年来同类教材陈陈相因，需要吸收一些接轨国际的词汇和表达方式，本书以“Contemporary”笼统称之，也应当列作一条。

于是，从整个语篇的角度来看，商务英语篇章应当具有以下八个方面，暂且叫做“中国学生学习撰写国际商务信函的八C写作原则”。从写作的流程来看，按照以下顺序排列：

准确和正确Correctness

克服汉化英语Chinglish or Chinese English

具体化 Concreteness

周到体谅 Consideration

清楚易懂 Clarity

简明扼要Conciseness

恭敬礼貌Courtesy, and

与时俱进Currency or Contemporariness

这部教材的前面四章的共同主题是“准确”和“正确”，即要求写对，从第5章至第11章，每章讨论一个头文字C。

正确是写作中应该考虑的第一要素。如果没有把正确放在第一位，那么随后的章节用来讨论其他的写作要素也就意义不大了。

写作的正确性不仅指所沟通的信息要正确，而且也包括采用正确的写作手法和技巧。正确的信息（或者更多地称为“内容”），是指你需要表达真实思想并准确无误地传递此信息，而正确的写作手法和技巧是你应该遵守语法规则、正确拼写词语、正确使用标点符号以及采用得体的信件格式。

假如你发送一封出错的信件，那么你给读者留下的印象就是粗心大意，由此也会让你感到难堪。

后面的章节为改正写作方面出现的错误提供指南。作者这样编排，是要概括关于“正确写作”所有主要内容。你最好在学习本章内容后，仔细体会例句，总结出如何在写作时做到正确无误。

1. 术语准确 Accuracy with Industrial Terms

“术语准确”列在本章第一节，说明这一点十分重要。无论你希望就职于哪个行业，你都需要掌握该行业大量的常用术语。

下面有10个单项选择题。你先做做这些题，熟悉一下外贸行业新手需要知道的常用术语。

（标在“课堂练习”后面的句子主要用来在课堂上讨论，但也可以用做课后作业练习，要求学生提交。在“课堂练习”前面出现的编号011是提交电子版作业的名称。头两个数字01表示各章的章数，第三个数字代表一章中的序号。“课堂练习”编号自成体系，方便教师和学生传发作业。后面各章的“课堂练习”也使用同样的体系。）

这里的每个句子都需要老师的讲解或者读者自己就出口业务的某个特定过程的内容阅读十分钟。讲授英语写作的课程无法给你提供大量的术语。所以上这门课之前，需要先修进出口实务类的课程。

学习本教材的学生毕业后会从事不同的工作，所以，他们可以上这门指定的课程，同时充分使用图书馆和互联网。那些对外贸工作感兴趣的学生应该经常上http://link.fobshanghai.com进行学习。下面就这个话题举两个例子：

从第一个例句起，本书采用了一套评分体系，每个例句最多可有四个程度，分别以英语字母D、C、B、A标记，对应指代汉字“错”、“差”、“对”和“对且好”。

2. 信息准确 Information Accuracy

信息在这里指所有非文本信息，包括日期、时间、数字、数额、统计资料、产品、尺寸、规格、计量单位、电话号码、通信地址、电子邮箱地址、货币、价格、数量、名称、商标、人名、公司名称、组织名称、船名，以及其他细节。

信息准确在商业活动中的作用至关重要，上面所列的每一项都对信息的传递、生意的成败有重要影响。

这一部分讨论的问题十分重要，所以在本书中单列一章讲解数字、数额以及货币。写完一封信件或是邮件后，请你务必在发送前检查一下所有非文本信息是否正确。

要注意，电脑的拼写检查工具在这方面用处不大。

3. 语意正确 Correct Messages

不能有效沟通的信函或是电子邮件往往是由于思考不细致或计划不周全造成的。一封没有实际意义的信函是没有任何沟通效果的。很多人在写商务信函时只是逐字地把汉语译成英语，或者从手册、光盘或网上找来例信，机械地照搬，从而产生很多问题。正是由于这个原因，在公司的文件或是学生的作业中有很多句子有问题，远远达不到有效沟通的目的。

4. 拼写正确 Spelling Notes

在打印和拼写上出错就像写作中出现其他小错误一样，不符合规范，令人反感，需要坚决杜绝。这些错误比妙龄少女脸上的粉刺、伤疤或是黑痣还要烦人，比白衬衫上的污渍、油迹还要讨厌。别人可以忽略你脸上的粉刺和疤痕，但肯定不会对你在信函中出现的写作错误和拼写错误视而不见。

相反，这些错误在商务交往中让人分心，令人不快，最引人注意。它们还是办公室喜欢的闲聊话题之一。下面的例句表明，某些错误会给公司造成巨大的损失，只不过没有人会给你指出存在的错误。

美国英语和英国英语的拼写的确有差别。或许你应该制定自己的单词表，以保持一致的用词体系。有些单词和短语的确能有不同的拼法，比如 “the customhouse” 就有三种写法：the customshouse, the custom house, the customs house。除了这两种情况，你在写信函时应该按照字典或拼写检查工具来拼写单词。

中国人用英语写信时，依靠电脑来正确拼写英语单词，这一点应该多加小心。因为多数文字处理系统在检查姓名、数字和语序时会失去拼写检查的特性。下面的例句充分展示了文字处理系统的拼写检查问题。

功利地看，拼写错误扰乱了你的实际意思。读者花了时间，却没弄明白。如果说他们明白了一些你表达的意思，可这些拼写错误也转移了他们的注意力。

在发送信件前改正拼写错误只花几分钟的时间，这一点非常必要。但是，如果读者指出错误后你再改正，你会付出很大的代价，有时会丢掉饭碗，甚至会失去自由。

正确写作信函显然要求正确使用标点符号。不过由于篇幅有限，这里就不讨论了，而是请老师提醒学生注意，也请你注意，因为你想要在将来实际的商业活动中进行商务写作工作。

5. 综合应用 Integrated Application

概括而言，如果你在词的用法、语法、拼写、标点符号，以及其他的技术性方面出错，读者会认为你要么是粗心大意，要么是受教育少。开始他们会体谅你，知道你是外国人，英语不是母语。不过如果情况不改变的话，你的公司形象和你的买卖交易就很难不受到影响。实际上，你和公司的可靠性会大打折扣。因此，你要尽可能把信函写得完美，就算为你自己，也应该如此。

我们的信函是否写的正确，主观评价的标准是看信函是否达到了我们预期的目的。而客观评价的标准是根据字典、语法、普遍认可的写法和其他一些参考工具。本书试图融合这两种标准，虽然有困难，甚至在有些情况下做不到这一点。

三、练习参考答案

1. 术语准确 Accuracy with Industrial Terms

011 Classroom Workouts

Keys

1. D　2. B　3. B　4. D　5. C

6. B　7. B　8. D　9. A　10. A.

3. 语义正确 Correct Messages

012 Classroom Workouts

A reference to Example 20 may be necessary.

Then label each with any one of the four English letters indicating the correctness of a version, as used in this textbook.

1) D1.

2) D2.

3) D3.

4) D4.

5) A1.

6) B.

7) D5.

8) A2.

9) A3.

10) D6.

4. 拼写正确 Spelling Notes

013 Classroom Workouts

1)

D. You have to be cautious on words and writer careful business correspondence.

A1. You have to be cautious on words and write careful business correspondence.

A2. You have to be cautious about words and write business correspondence carefully.

A3. You have to be cautious about words and write carefully business correspondence.

2)

D. We’ll deliver you some trail order because of the satisfication of your price and quality.

B. We’ll place a trial order with you because of our satisfaction with your price and quality.

A1. We’ll place with you some trial order because of the satisfaction of your price.

A2. We’ll place with you a trial order because of the satisfaction of your price.

A3. We’ll place with you a trial order because we agree to your price terms.

3)

D. Because of the damaged pecking, we understand your inconvenience to your customers.

B1. Because of the damaged packing, we understand your inconvenience to your customers.

B2. Because of the damaged packing, we understand the inconvenience to your customers.

A. We understand the inconvenience the damaged packing has caused to your customers.

4)

D. Then this agreement is signed, a circular will be prepared for distribution to our customers.

C. When this agreement is signed, a circular will be prepared for distribution to our customers.

A1. After this agreement is signed, a circular will be prepared and distributed to our customers.

A2. After the signing of this agreement, a circular will be prepared and distributed …

5)

D. We usually pay the commission free for the agents 3 months after we settle our accounts with them.

A. We usually pay commission fee to agents three months after we settle our accounts.

6)

C. These sales are most dispointing, but this is due entirely to late arrival of the goods we ordered from you.

A1. These sales are most disappointing, but this is due entirely to the late arrival of the goods we ordered from you.

A2. These sales are most disappointing, but this is entirely due to the late arrival …

7)

D. Interest composes of most part of loan cost. All parities of the agreement are concerned with the interest or Interest Rate.

A1. Interest comprises the largest part of loan cost. All parties of the agreement are concerned with the interest or Interest Rate.

A2. Interest constitutes largely the cost of a loan. All parties | in a loan agreement are concerned with the interest or Interest Rate.

8)

D. With referring to our precious letters and emails, we have no news from you about the shipment under contract No 3223.

A1. Referring to our precious letters and emails, we have no news from you about the shipment under contract No 3223.

A2. With reference to our previous letters and emails, we have had no news from you about the shipment under contract No. 3223.

9)

D. After one year of endeavor, I discovered that the technique in lather printing and dyeing is much backward in China and it couldn’t meet with customers’ requirements.

A1. After a year of endeavour, I discovered that the technique in leather printing and dyeing in China was backward, unable to meet customer expectations.

A2. A year later, I discovered that the technique in laser printing and dying was much backward in China and couldn’t meet customers’ requirements /customer requirements /the requirements of the customers.

10)

D. We analysised the market in the meeting. As we have many competiters in the market, we need take different strategies. Many sales methodes were mentioned by collegues such as promotion stratege, public relation stratege, and adverticing stratege.

B. We analyzed the market at the meeting. As we have many competitors in the market, we need to adopt different strategies. Various strategies were mentioned by colleagues in promotion, public relations and advertising.

A. We made an analysis of the market at the meeting. As we have many competitors in the market, we need to adopt different strategies. My colleagues proposed various strategies in promotion, public relations and advertising.

5. 综合应用 Integrated Application

014 Homework for Submission

(The code 014, like those attached at the front of “Classroom Workouts”, is inserted here for facilitating homework submission. Enter 014 as the doc name when you submit. The same system will also be in use for the same purpose in later chapters.)

特别说明：本书练习的修改均为在原文基础上做出的修改；修改的目的是帮助原文作者写对、写好，不是改写或重写；写作是主观题，如果由不同的人改写甚或重写，则无法形成多数人认同的版本，不利于学习者在现有能力基础上的进步。本书的编撰原则之一，是在确保写对的前提下维护写作的多样性，同时在维护学习者的原创精神和写作多样性的前提下争取写对。因此，修改后的版本并不是“最佳”，有些可能还会遗留这样那样的问题。特此说明。

A possible correct version for your reference

Dear Tom:

We are happy to know of /about your products. They are the right things that we need. We are eager to know more about them. Would you mind sending us some more information? We would also like to know the prices and quality.

We are a famous mobile phone service company in China. We have 60 percent of the market share. We want to increase our market share this time. We hope to have long term cooperation with you. We hope to have some advice from you to guide us.

Look forward to your early reply.

Regards,

015 Homework for Submission

A possible correct version for your reference

Dear Lucy,

We are a factory located in Shandong Province, China, named Dongying High-tech Spring Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. You can learn much more about us from our website: www.chinadmc.com.

Now, we are in need of XX goods. Could you make your best offer to us on the basis of CIF Qingdao port China, including the repaid fee, freight, insurance etc.

We need three full containers, about 48mt in all. We would appreciate your rock price and prompt reply. Having a lively day.

Yours sincerely,

016 Homework for Submission

A possible correct version for your reference

Dear Mr. Rene,

At a recent trade fair in Guangzhou, China, I heard of your company’s information and we are writing to enquire whether you would be willing to establish business relation with us.

Our company persists in the utmost quality and good service, being able to design and manufacture all kinds of automobile parts according to the clients’ requirements.

We export large quantity of our products to the USA and Australia, which enjoy a good reputation, and we believe our products are competitive in your European market.

Looking forward to your early reply.

Yours sincerely,

017 Homework for Submission

A possible correct version for your reference

To: whom it maybe concern,

We got your information reference to your firm’s name and address from the annual Commerce Magazine of Chinese Embassay in New York City. We inform you that we specialize in leather products, such as shoes, bages and so on. We are appreciated to extend our business with you in future.

In order to give you a general idea of our products, we enclouse a set of our company’s profile, please find the attachments. Much further information and quotation will be sent on receipt of your prompt specific inquirements.

We look forward to your answer.

Sincerely yours,