7個過時email用字,一次告訴你
Jane的部門來了新同事,這同事的英文看似專業,寫的email既長又多,Jane以為她的美國老闆以後一定會更願意和新同事溝通,因為其他人英文沒那麼好。
但事實相反,老闆很少寫email給這位新同事,Jane後來才聽說,原來老闆說這樣的溝通太"long-winded"、"old-fashioned"。意思是太囉唆,沒完沒了,而且老派。
英語國家七O年代開始提倡簡單英語(plain English),大刀闊斧刪掉文謅謅的、打官腔的字眼。至於哪些表達會讓人覺得囉唆又老派,來看一個例子:
As per our previous conversation, I am writing to follow up on our earlier decision on the marketing campaign in Q2. Attached herewith please find the revised proposal for your perusal.
(就先前我們談過的,我寫信來是要追蹤我們先前對於第二季行銷活動的決定。附件是修正後的計劃書,請提供您寶貴意見。)
As per our previous conversation, I am writing to follow up on our earlier decision on the marketing campaign in Q2. Attached herewith please find the revised proposal for your perusal.
(就先前我們談過的,我寫信來是要追蹤我們先前對於第二季行銷活動的決定。附件是修正後的計劃書,請提供您寶貴意見。)
一句一句分解這段email,看看問題在哪裡:
1.As per our previous conversation(就先前我們的談話.....)
這個用法20幾年前很流行,很多每封Email的開頭都是"as per",但時下商業溝通講求精簡,這樣說顯得老套,而且previous很多餘,直接用As we discussed/As discussed就好。
As per your request ...=> As you requested
As per our agreement ...=> As we agreed
As per your instructions ...=> As you instructed
2.Attached please find......(附件是…)
As per our agreement ...=> As we agreed
As per your instructions ...=> As you instructed
2.Attached please find......(附件是…)
以前人們依賴紙本信件溝通,"Enclosed please find…"也曾經風行一時。但年輕一輩發現,根本沒有任何東西要"find",這麼寫看起來像律師函,沒道理。還有人會用"please see attached",這也不自然。現在大家更愛用"I’m attaching"、"I've attached",或直接用"Attached is…"。
Attached please find the following receipt. =>Attached is the receipt.(附上收據)
3.Herewith(隨函)
3.Herewith(隨函)
Herewith、hereby、herein這些都很拗口,雖然有些文化悠久的商號還改不了口,但直接用here更簡要。
attached herewith=> attached is、here is
4.Perusal(仔細研究)
這個字少見少用,但還真有一位在外商銀行工作的學生寫信就用了這個字,他說在網路學到就用了,這個字改成review更自然。以精簡原則修改,原來長長一串的email只要一句話:
As discussed, here is the revised marketing campaign for Q2 for your review.
還有以下這些email用語,也已經過時,請用更精準的表達取代它們吧!
還有以下這些email用語,也已經過時,請用更精準的表達取代它們吧!
5."Please be advised ..."(我們要通知你...)
聽起來太像官樣,像銀行寄信告訴你,貸款到期的那種信,直接去掉即可。
Please be advised that the check is overdue.=>The check is overdue.
6.Please do not hesitate to contact me.(請隨時聯絡我)
6.Please do not hesitate to contact me.(請隨時聯絡我)
這句話已經用了半世紀之後,已經成了沒有意義的陳腔濫調,說了等於沒說。改成"please call me."這類更直接有力的訴求。
7.at your earliest convenience(最近方便的時間)
7.at your earliest convenience(最近方便的時間)
太客氣會給人虛偽感,既然要earliest,就建議一個時間,例如"by next week"。
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