Research On Linguostylistic Markers Of English Profiles Of Chinese Companies

An online English company profile that is grammatically correct, semantically clear and culturally acceptable can eliminate barriers of language, bridge the company itself and the global market, and enable Chinese companies to build up a positive image. For this reason, research on English profiles of Chinese companies is typically important in practice. Thus we propose to conduct research from the perspective of linguostylistic markers.The research data are collected in the following way. Top20Chinese companies listed in the Fortune Global500are firstly selected and17Chinese companies that satisfy the requirements are chosen as the final subjects. The reason is that Chinese companies listed in the Fortune Global500are representative, famous and remarkable compared to other unknown Chinese companies and they are believed to be true models. Then their English profiles,200-300words or so, are obtained from their official websites. Furthermore, based on linguostylistic markers put forth by Cheng Yumin (2004), this research makes a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the sample targeted at English profiles of Chinese companies, wherein8out of32linguostylistic markers are centered on, including long premodification, impersonal construction, subordination, long sentence, inverted order, ellipsis, short sentence, flexibility in the treatment of parts of speech.In the light of Cheng Yumin’s (2004) measurement, frequency of each marker is calculated and the results are clearly presented in a series of tables. By analyzing the data, this research has arrived at the following conclusions:(1) Of all the8linguostylistic markers, long sentence, impersonal construction, subordination, long premodification, flexibility in the treatment of parts of speech are frequently used in English profiles of Chinese companies and the natural sequence figures the primary and the secondary out. On the other hand, short sentence, ellipsis and inverted order are not welcomed at all in English profiles of Chinese companies.(2) Long sentence, impersonal construction and subordination are the most striking stylistic features in relation to English profiles of Chinese companies. These markers produce a remarkable effect on promoting the style of company profiles.(3) Composers or translators of English profiles of Chinese companies prefer to use positive linguostylistic markers to promote the style and make the style formal while negative linguostylistic markers are not popular among them. The ability of using linguostylistic markers varies among composers or translators, which is closely related with their social spectrum, writing and speaking ability. Linguostylistic markers decide the difference between styles. The use of linguostylistic markers differs greatly in different situations and in varying English profiles and adjustments are commonly made for the sake of adapting the style to the situation.(4) To some degree, linguostylistic markers produce an effect on business communication. If we recognize the linguostylistic markers’ importance and put them into use in a correct and reasonable way, then successful business communication will be generated and tremendous business values will be created.By exploring linguostylistic markers of English profiles of Chinese companies, this study’s main purpose is to analyze how these selected Chinese companies differ or resemble each other in terms of linguostylisticc markers. Thereafter, Cheng Yumin’s theories can be further tested and verified via comprehensive analyses. Meanwhile, this study can broaden and develop the academic scope of stylistic analysis. Hereinafter, composers or translators of English profiles of Chinese companies, as well as students majoring in business English are able to gain insight from this study and foster a sense of appropriateness. Businessmen can get some valuable ideas from linguostylistic markers and learn how to make full use of these stylistic features in commercial activities for better business communication.