Abstract

With the development of global economy, more and more countries trade with each other. Business letter as a necessary business communication between all the countries, not only has it the function of transmission of information, but also it can establish relations between cooperation. 

This paper analyzes the business letter from the point of view of politeness principle. The paper will analyze the characteristics of business letter and tact maxim, generosity maxim, approbation maxim, modesty maxim, agreement maxim and sympathy maxim to explore the application of politeness principle in business letter. It aims to give some supply to the research of how to maximize the function of politeness principle in buseiness letter. 

Key words: Politeness principle; Business letter; Intercultural communication

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Literature Review-3

2.1 Principle of politeness-3

2.2 Studies on politeness principle in business letters-4

3. Analysis of business English letters-7

3.1Types of English Business Letters-8

3.2 Format of English Business Letters-8

3.3 Features of English Business Letters-10

4. Application of politeness principle in business letters-11

4.1 Tact maxim-11

4.2 Generosity maxim-12

4.3 Approbation maxim-12

4.4 Modesty maxim-13

4.5 Agreement maxim-14

4.6 Sympathy maxim-15

5. Conclusion.16

6. Works cited.