我也感到好奇,你说的优雅是什么意思如果你要文学性的语言,那首先不适合英文电子邮件。但是如果感兴趣可以读英文经典作品。
你可否帖一封你认为优雅的电子邮件给我们看看?
如果专门是想在工作上交流顺畅,那你可以买一些专门关于business communication/letters/English之类的书籍。那种书籍有很多范例和解释,如果仔细阅读,定会受益。
我读过一本,是比较老的 (The Little Black Book of Business Letters),80年代出版的,但是里面的建议仍然非常有用。比如说,在‘Use Appropriate Tone’ (使用合适的语气)一章,他举了两个例子,情景都是一样的。但是收效不一样;后者读了更加让人舒服,更’有礼貌‘(如你所说):
(from accounting manager to director of marketing)
Version 1
Dear XXX
We're going through our monthly budget review, and find that your department has again exceeded its travel and entertainment budget.
Please send me a complete explanation of this variance as soon as possible. I need to complete my report by the 15th, so I'd apreciate a prompt response.
Can I get your report by the end of the week?
Sincerely,
XXX
Version 2:
Dear (more...)