Abstract: Business English letters are playing increasingly important role in business transactions.A good letter can achieve communicative effect while a bad letter can break the deal.This paper aims to study the pragmatic failure in business letters from the perspective of adaptation theory.First,the adaptation theory is introduced;second, pragmatic failure from the perspective of adaptation theory is identified;third, strategies to correct pragmatic failures are proposed.
Key words: pragmatic failure; business English letters; Adaptation Theory; coping strategies
Contents
Abstract
中文摘要
1. Introduction-1
1.1Business English Letters-1
1.1.1Definition and Classifications of Business English Letters-1
1.1.2Basic Principle for Business English Letters Writing-2
1.2The Adaptation Theory-3
1.2.1Concept of Adaptation Theory-3
1.2.2Making Linguistic Choices-4
1.2.3Four Aspects of Adaptability-5
1.3Pragmatic Failure-6
1.3.1Views of Pragmatic Failure-6
1.3.2 Classification of Pragmatic Failure-7
2. Pragmatic Failure in Business English Letters from the Perspective of Adaptation Theory-9
2.1Failure to Make Adaptation to Linguistic Context-9
2.1.1 Failure to Make Adaptation to the Lexicon of Business English Letters-9
2.1.2 Failure to Make Adaptation to the Syntax of Business English Letters-10
2.1.3 Failure to Make Adaptation to the Discourse of Business English Letters-12
2.2Failure to Make Adaptation to Culture-14
2.2.1 Failure to Make Adaptation to the Modifier of Business English Letters-14
2.2.2 Failure to Make Adaptation to the Voice of Business English Letters-15
2.2.3 Failure to Make Adaptation to the Tone of Business English -16
3. Strategies to Correct Pragmatic Failure-16
3.1 Strengthening Intercultural Awareness and Intercultural Sensitivities-17
3.2Developing Cultural Empathy-18
3.3 Developing Cultural Adaptation-19
3.4Developing Pragmatic Competence-20
4. Conclusion-21
References:-22
