Constitution preamble
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, on behalf of the Ukrainian people — citizens of Ukraine of all nationalities, expressing the sovereign will of the people, based on the centuries-old history of Ukrainian state-building and on the right to self-determination realised by the Ukrainian nation, all the Ukrainian people, providing for the guarantee of human rights and freedoms and of the worthy conditions of human life, caring for the strengthening of civil harmony on Ukrainian soil, striving to develop and strengthen a democratic, social, law-based state, aware of our responsibility before God, our own conscience, past, present and future generations, guided by the Act of Declaration of the Independence of Ukraine of 24 August 1991, approved by the national vote of 1 December 1991, adopts this Constitution — the Fundamental Law of Ukraine.
Ex. 5. Прочитайте уважно текст, визначте його підмову/ підстиль і перекладіть, зберігаючи стиль викладу оригіналу, українською мовою.
Forms of Address and Conclusion
The form of address used in business letters are: Dear Sir, Dear Madam, Dear Sirs, Gentlemen. The word dear has obviously no meaning in this connection, but it is still used by most people in preference to the more abrupt Sir of Madam. Sirs or Gentlemen is used in addressing a firm, or a body like a Board or Committee.
The forms Dear Mr. Jones, Dear Mrs. White, Dear Miss Black, Dear Colonel Brown, Dear Doctor Green &c, are used when the writer is on familiar terms with his correspondent.
The form Dear Miss is never used. It must be either Dear Madam, or Dear Miss Black.
The forms Dear Jones, Dear Colonel, Dear Doctor are more intimate still, and are only used by friends who are in the habit of addressing each other by their surnames when they meet.
It is important to use the correct form, as undue familiarity or unexpected stiffness will often give offence.
The conclusion now in almost universal use for business letters is Yours with signatures. Yours faithfully is equally applicable.
The form We beg to remain Yours faithfully is still sometimes used, but We beg to remain is obviously superfluous and meaningless.
In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred nothing more is required than Yours faithfully.
The proper forms to use when writing to persons of title and official position are as follows:
The Queen. Commencement of Letter Officially:
Madam, or, Dear and Honorable Madam
May it please your Majesty.
Conclusion: I have the honor to remain,
Your Majesty's most humble and devoted subject.
or, Your Majesty's most humble and obedient subject.
Address of Envelope: Her Majesty the Queen, or, The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty.
Other Members of the Royal Family
Commencement of Letter Officially
Sir (or Madam),
Conclusion:
I remain, Sir (or Madam),
Your Royal Highness most obedient servant.
Address of Envelop:
His Royal Highness the Duke of - , or, Her Royal Highness
the Duchess of-.
To a General, Colonel, Major, Captain, or Lieutenant
Commencement of Letter Officially:
Dear General Green,
Dear Colonel White,
Dear Major Black,
Dear Captain Brown,
Dear Mr. Robinson (Brown) etc.
Address of Envelope according to the rank of the Officer,
Thus-
Captain/Lieutenant/Major Brown.
Lieutenant (Lieut.), Major - General Green, or simply General Brown.
To an English ambassador at a Foreign Court
Commencement of Letter Officially:
My Lord, or Sir (according to rank).
Address of Envelope:
His Excellency the Right Honorable Sir George - K.C.B.
or, Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary.
To a Consul
Commencement of Letter Officially:
Sir (or, Dear Sir).
Address of Envelope
—, Esq.
Her Britannic Majesty's Consul.
To a Major
Commencement of Letter Officially:
Sir.
Address of Envelope:
The Right/rt. Worshipful the Mayor of Liverpool/Kingston etc.
Or: The Worshipful the Mayor of Brighton
Socially
The Mayor of Kingston/Brighton.
Ex. 6.Прочитайте уважно текст і перекладіть його українською мовою.
STYLE
It is a mistake to think that a business letter must be written in a jargon that would not be used for any other purpose. Most of the stereotyped phrases which constitute the stock-in trade of some business correspondents can be wisely dispensed with. Plain, simple, everyday English is much better.
There are two points which are all important – lucidity and conciseness. Be sure that you say what you mean to say beyond all possibility of mistake, and say it in as few words as possible. Do not add a lot of unnecessary information or explanations. Use short, direct sentences, with plenty of full points.
On the other hand, do not be abrupt, and care must always be taken to avoid giving your correspondent the impression that you haven't got the time or do not think him of sufficient importance to take any trouble with your letter to him. For the same reason the excessive use of contractions should be avoided. It has the appearance of saving yourself trouble at your correspondent's expense.