A Comparison of American and French Business Correspondence

Abstract

American and French business correspondence show similarities and differences.Business Communicators in both countries advocate clarity and reader adaptation. Manyof the differences result from differences in culture and value. French letters tend to bemore formal than American letters. The French are not very concerned with minimizingprice and presenting negative news positively. The format of letters is different. Particularly, the inside address, salutation, and signature block differ from American letters. Tocommunicate successfully, a businessperson writing to a French audience should befamiliar with the fundamentals of French business communication practices.