English Corner Dr. Mable Chan is a lecturer at the Department of ...
English Corner Dr. Mable Chan is a lecturer at the Department of ...
English Corner Dr. Mable Chan is a lecturer at the Department of ...
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<strong>Engl<strong>is</strong>h</strong> <strong>Corner</strong><br />
<strong>Dr</strong>. <strong>Mable</strong> <strong>Chan</strong> <strong>is</strong> a <strong>lecturer</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Engl<strong>is</strong>h</strong>, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She<br />
was awarded <strong>the</strong> Faculty Award for Outstanding<br />
Teaching in <strong>the</strong> 2005/2006 academic year and has<br />
vast experience teaching academic and business<br />
<strong>Engl<strong>is</strong>h</strong> to both undergradu<strong>at</strong>e and postgradu<strong>at</strong>e<br />
students. In th<strong>is</strong> column she advoc<strong>at</strong>es using simple<br />
and conc<strong>is</strong>e <strong>Engl<strong>is</strong>h</strong> for business writing.<br />
I. Wh<strong>at</strong> <strong>is</strong> Business <strong>Engl<strong>is</strong>h</strong>?<br />
Business <strong>Engl<strong>is</strong>h</strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>Engl<strong>is</strong>h</strong> th<strong>at</strong> fulfills work-rel<strong>at</strong>ed needs. There are both<br />
spoken needs and written needs in <strong>the</strong> workplace; <strong>the</strong>se include phone<br />
convers<strong>at</strong>ions, present<strong>at</strong>ions, meetings, negoti<strong>at</strong>ions, interviews, and email<br />
communic<strong>at</strong>ion, letters, reports, persuasive communic<strong>at</strong>ion (e.g. sales letters,<br />
leaflets, proposals and advert<strong>is</strong>ements) and v<strong>is</strong>ual communic<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
The purpose <strong>of</strong> business communic<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>is</strong> to convey messages in a clear,<br />
conc<strong>is</strong>e and courteous way. In th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong>sue and <strong>the</strong> next few <strong>is</strong>sues, I will illustr<strong>at</strong>e<br />
<strong>the</strong> fe<strong>at</strong>ures <strong>of</strong> business <strong>Engl<strong>is</strong>h</strong> with examples. There will be a short quiz <strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
end to check your understanding. Are you ready?<br />
II. Rule 1: Be Simple<br />
a. The business world has changed gre<strong>at</strong>ly in <strong>the</strong> past century or two; <strong>the</strong><br />
following old-fashioned/outd<strong>at</strong>ed expressions or business jargon should no<br />
longer be used.<br />
Business Jargon<br />
Esteemed Sir<br />
enclosed herewith<br />
<strong>at</strong> your earliest convenience<br />
Simple <strong>Engl<strong>is</strong>h</strong><br />
Dear Sir/Madam<br />
I enclose<br />
as soon as possible<br />
Hong Kong Institute <strong>of</strong> Accredited Accounting Technicians Limited Tel 電 話 : (852) 2823 0600 Web 網 址 : www.hkia<strong>at</strong>.org<br />
27th Floor, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong Fax 傳 真 : (852) 2823 0606 E-mail 電 郵 : hkia<strong>at</strong>@hkia<strong>at</strong>.org<br />
香 港 財 務 會 計 協 會 有 限 公 司<br />
香 港 灣 仔 皇 后 大 道 東 213 號 胡 忠 大 廈 27 樓
Business Jargon<br />
in <strong>the</strong> event th<strong>at</strong><br />
due to <strong>the</strong> fact th<strong>at</strong><br />
it has come to our <strong>at</strong>tention th<strong>at</strong><br />
we are in receipt <strong>of</strong><br />
Simple <strong>Engl<strong>is</strong>h</strong><br />
if<br />
as/because/since<br />
we note th<strong>at</strong><br />
we have received<br />
b. In business communic<strong>at</strong>ion, use familiar words which have simpler<br />
synonyms to convey clear messages. Don’t, however, give up a prec<strong>is</strong>e<br />
word to convey exactly wh<strong>at</strong> you mean. Look <strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> following examples:<br />
Unfamiliar words<br />
stipul<strong>at</strong>e (e.g. regul<strong>at</strong>ions/laws<br />
stipul<strong>at</strong>e th<strong>at</strong>….)<br />
termin<strong>at</strong>e<br />
monitor<br />
utilize<br />
encompass<br />
Familiar synonyms<br />
require<br />
stop<br />
check<br />
use<br />
include<br />
III. Rule 2: Be Conc<strong>is</strong>e<br />
Conc<strong>is</strong>eness means using <strong>the</strong> least number <strong>of</strong> words to express <strong>the</strong> most<br />
meaning. Reduce redundant words as in <strong>the</strong> following examples:<br />
1. The universities will merge toge<strong>the</strong>r soon.<br />
The universities will merge soon.<br />
Remark: Delete toge<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
2. Past experience <strong>is</strong> invaluable.<br />
Experience <strong>is</strong> invaluable.<br />
Remark: Delete past.<br />
3. Please sign your name here.<br />
Please sign here.<br />
Remark: Delete your name.<br />
4. I am <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> belief th<strong>at</strong> he <strong>is</strong> suitable.<br />
I believe th<strong>at</strong> he <strong>is</strong> suitable.<br />
Remark: Use <strong>the</strong> single word believe.
Quiz:<br />
Rewrite <strong>the</strong> following sentences to make <strong>the</strong>m simple and conc<strong>is</strong>e (answers as<br />
below).<br />
1. Kindly adv<strong>is</strong>e us <strong>at</strong> your earliest convenience if you are interested in our<br />
products.<br />
2. I would like to take th<strong>is</strong> opportunity to invite you to join our company.<br />
Key:<br />
1. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are interested in our products.<br />
2. I would like to invite you/I invite you to join our company.<br />
References:<br />
Bilbow, G. (2004). Business Writing for Hong Kong. 3rd Edition. Hong Kong: Longman<br />
Guffey, M.E. (2004). Essentials <strong>of</strong> business communic<strong>at</strong>ion. 6 th<br />
Edition. Mason. Ohio:<br />
South-Western College Pub.
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