On Economy Of Language In English Business Letters

English business letters play an important role in foreign trade. In English business letters, linguistic features can influence the results of communication. These linguistic features embody an outstanding principle—economy of language, which also dominate the choices of language in English business letter writing. This thesis aims to analyze the linguistic features on the base of collected data with instructive suggestions under the theoretical guideline of principle of economy and utilize strategies for optimal distribution in language, furthermore, the thesis offers some advices for English business letter writing which can embodies the economy of language and emphasizes how to optimally distribute language so as to realize the linguistic maximization of utility with least efforts.The study is discussed in these four aspects: (1) to collect English business letters and classify them, (2) to analyze the features of English business letters and to explore the immanent forming mechanism of them, (3) to provide framework under the guidance of the principle of economy of language for English business letter writing, (4) to introduce eight kinds of English business letters, and analyze their linguistic features and writing methods respectively.Through the quantitative analysis on the collected English business letters, the research explores the following linguistic features and writing methods under the guidance of economy of language, 1) the use of simplified forms and abbreviations; 2) the use of polite and active expressions or euphemistic expressions, such as expressions of"thanks", using declarative sentences, and using subjunctive mood; 3) the use of technical terms and common words with meaning changes; 4) the preference of concrete words to abstract words; 5) the choice of precise wording, such as the avoidance of ambiguity and the avoidance of Cliché; 6) the choice of concise wording, such as the avoidance of long and unusual (technical, academic or literary) words, the use of everyday words rather than unusual, the avoidance of wordiness and the elimination of redundancies; 7) the use of simple or common words, such as the avoidance of officialese, commercialese and the avoidance of needless jargons and slang; 8) the use of positive tone; 9) the use of"You-Attitude"; 10) the use of active voice.Finally, under the guidance of economy of language, the thesis explains eight kinds of English business letters about their linguistic features and writing methods with illustrations of sample letters by utilizing the various strategies of optimal distribution in the process of writing letters.The discussions of this study are expected to shed some light on the teaching and study of English business letters and the practical business letter writing by the professionals in the field of foreign trade. When writers produce English business letters, they should consider only if they express their communicative purpose with least efforts by means of optimal distribution in language, the letters will actually reflect economy of language; in that case, most effective English business letters are produced.