A Study On Economy Principle In Linguistic Features Of Business Correspondence

English business correspondence plays a crucial role in foreign trade and it is also the most important tool of business communication,of which the main function is transferring business information,presenting business affairs and conducting business communication.In English business correspondence,linguistic features can influence the results of communication.In its long period of application and development,the business correspondence has shaped its own linguistic features,which embodies an outstanding principle—the economy principle of language.The present study takes business correspondence as research objects.Orienting from its linguistic features,the study explores the embodiment of the economy principle in English business correspondence writing principles and the languages of the English business correspondence.The economy principle denotes that only if the language arrives at the optimal distribution and achieves the maximum utility can it be called the most economical language.Firstly,the study makes an exploration on how the economy principle is observed in the seven C's writing principles of English business letters including completeness,courtesy,consideration,and conciseness.It also conducts an analysis on how the business correspondence language achieves the optimal distribution from the aspects of choosing words and polite expressions.With regard to the words choosing,the writer frequently uses abbreviations and technical terms,employs simple and common words,common words with meaning changed,precise wording,prefers concrete words to abstract words and avoids clich(?)s in business correspondence writing.In addition,the writer employs various techniques,such as,using positive words,affirmative sentences,you-attitude and active voice to express his/her politeness.The above techniques are all the embodiment of the economy principle.Based on the study of the language features of English business letters,this thesis concludes that the linguistics features and writing principles embody the economy principle and meanwhile the economy principle provides guidance to the English business correspondence writing.