【英语论文】商务英语语言特征及其翻译 Linguistic Feature of Business English and Its Translation.doc

linguistic feature of business english and its translation contents introduction1 1. linguistic features of business english.2 1.1 linguistic features in word .2 1.2. linguistic features in sentence.2 1.3. linguistic features in text3 2. the infliuence of linguistic features of business english on translation.4 2.1 influence in the aspect of words.5 2.2 influence in the aspect of sentence .5 2.3 influence in the aspect of text7 3. the principles and application of business english translation .8 3.1 faithfulness. .9 3.2 exactness10 3.3 consistency. .11 3.1.1 translation of business terms11 3.1.2 translation of names. .11 conclusion.12 bibliography .13 acknowledgements.14 摘 要 由于商务英语传达的商务理论和实务等信息的特殊性，商务英语有其特殊 的 特点。本文从商务英语的用词、句法、篇章三方面分析商务英语的语言特点。 并由此从商务英语的用词、句法、篇章三方面分析译者掌握商务英语的语言特 点的程度对翻译的影响，通过例证说明译者关于商务英语的语言特点的掌握程 度将影响其对原文的理解，而译者对原文的理解程度又关系到译文的正确与否。 商务英语的原则与运用则是商务英语翻译的核心问题。笔者认为商务英语翻译 应遵循“忠实，准确，统一”的原则。 “忠实”原则是商务英语翻译人员必须遵 循的首要原则；“准确”原则是商务英语翻译的核心.“统一”原则有利于商务 英语译文的统一和规范。 关键词：商务英语；语言特点;翻译原则； abstract the specific way of information transmitting in business activities accounts for the specific features of business english，which transmits the information of business theory and practice .the article analyses the linguistic features of business english through three aspects: words，sentence and text. with examples taken from business english translation, the author interprets that the linguistic features of business english influence a translators comprehension which in the end accounts for a correct business english translation. the exploring of principle of business english translation plays an important role in a successful translation. the author upholds the view that business english translators should follow the three principles of “faithfulness, exactness and consistency”. “faithfulness” is the first principle for business english translators to follow. “exactness” is the key of these three principles.” consistency” guarantees a unified and standard translation. key words: business english; linguistic features; translation principle 1 introduction with the rapid development of chinas foreign trade and the constant increase of other economic activities, technical cooperation and cultural exchange to foreign countries, not only many chinese go abroad to do business, but also many foreigners come to china to sightsee and invest capital in enterprises. the opportunity we make direct or in direct or indirect contact with foreigners becomes more and more. and in the course of association with the foreigners, practical english is widely used in every field of our daily life and routine duties, especially in the profession of public relations, secretary, international business and tourism. it serves to pass on information, to express idea, to exchange feelings and to deal with social business. business english is a branch of practical english language systems. it refers to the special english that server for international business routines. as a language tool for international economic exchange and business routines, business english becomes a new type of comprehensive subject, which plays an important role in our national economy reform and innovation. the specific way of information transmitting in business activities determines the specific features of business english. as a successful translator, a strong awareness of linguistic features of business english would be crucial to the better comprehension when he deals with the tasks in different business situations. consequently, the translators need to explore the linguistic feature of business english, and then comes to the practical translation strategies, the bridge between english and chinese hence guaranteed. 2 1. linguistic features of business english as business english is a specialized use language for international business activities, it based on the basic english grammar, sentence and vocabulary. 1.1 linguistic features in word since businessmen make efficiency their top priority, simple words are applicable to achieve this goal. another reason is related with the way of information transmitting in business routines which has been regarded as the most important part of business; using simple words also do well for people to communicate, to catch the words immediately, while complex words or rare words are hard to understand. so it is understandable for businessmen to use simple words rather than complex words or rare word. 1.2. linguistic features in sentence concise sentence conduce to transmit business information and play an important role in a business context. it is more convenient for businessmen to use concise sentence in business, either oral or written language. it saves time and, more importantly, avoids misunderstanding. businessmen have established many polite formulas by popular usage. these polite formulas have been accepted through practice. to use these formulas also contribute to standardize business article. such as: 1. please inform us what special offer you can make us. 2. we will adhere to this offer for two weeks the logic expression is prominently featured in business english documents and contracts, especially in the expression about time and number. for example: 3 1. the goods shall be shipped per m.v. “dong nan”on november 10 and are due to arrive at rotterdam in 140 days. here, it must use the preposition “in” to express the meaning about“several days later” rather than the preposition “after”.because the preposition“after” can not exactly define the day on which day the goods will arrive. 1. party a shall pay party b a monthly salary of us$ 500(say five hundred us dollars only) 2. party a shall be unauthorized to accept any orders or to collect any account on and after september 20. 3. our terms are cash within three months, i.e. on or before may1 1.3. linguistic features in text usually, it is not common to use rhetorical devices in business english context. actually, most business contexts tend to adopt a plain style. the wording in business english is appropriated. and people in business circumstances tend to abstain from arrogance. 4 2. the influence of linguistic features of business english on translation business english translation can be divided into two periods: understanding and expressing. the first period is to understanding; the second to express, that is how to completely and naturally carry message to the target reader. and in the understanding period, the linguistic features of business english will influence a translators comprehension which in the end account for the success of business english translation. 2.1nfluence in the aspect of words as business english is characterized by simple words, abundance of business terms and the variability of word meaning, the translator should have a good command of these features, and the influence of features on translation is apparent. for example: 1. you are kindly requested to quote the fob new york this sentence involves a business term “fob” (free on board). if translator neglects this linguistic feature of business english: specific business terms, and can 5 not catch the meaning of the term“fob”, he can not understand this sentence very well, let alone a successful translation. further more, it can be noticed that the term“fob” has a subtle difference in usage in the u.s.a. in the american english, “fob” identifies the address of good delivery, such as: fob train, fob train, fob factory. 2.2 influence in the aspect of sentence in the aspect of sentence, we need to pay attention on the formula and logic. first, let us compare the following two series: common language contract formula in the future hereafter think deem intend to do want to do the words in the right column are contract formulas, which are established by popular usage. if the translator is familiar with these formulas and other features of contract sentence, he will be of advantage to understand the contract and then to translate it will. second, let us look at the logic of the sentence: 1. the stock exchange of hong kong limited takes no responsibility for the contents of this announcement, makes no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising form or in the reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this announcement. the original includes some legalese. this sentence has a high standard in logic and avoids any dispute. therefore, the translation also should reflect this feature. translator needs to have a through a grasp of its feature, to understand and absorb its meaning, and then to express it to adhere to the rules of the translation so as to let 6 target readers accept its information without much difficulty. 2.3 influence in the aspect of text the text features of business english are the compound of words and sentences. the key of business english context translation is the mutual understanding. translators need to analyze its style, to notice its wording. beside, translators also need to pay attention to deal with some details such as the expression of promise and the usage of passive in the text. for example: 1. traditianal hierarchical organizations control operating processes through standardization or jobs. these jobs are separated into sequential steps and carried out under direct supervision. however, the line workers lack both the authority and motivation to improve these routine tasks and limited by their local view of the business. first, let us analyze its style. this paragraph is selected form time for the big company in financial times. this business article talks about company organization structure. so, its style is plain and formal. second let us deal with some details. according to the context，the word” organization” would be better if it is translated into chinese rather than its common translation; “hierarchical organization” should be translated into chinese to adhere to the business terms rather than chinese which carries on person emotion; in the phrase “line workers”, ” line” does not mean ” production line” ,but “ the line management” when dealing with these, the understanding about this article is complete and then it can be expressed exactly in chinese: 传统的层级制组织机构通过标准的工作种类来控制经营。各类工种按先后 顺序划分为不同的步骤，并在直接监管下按部就班地进行。但是，在直接 管理体制下的员工，既没有职权也缺乏主动性去改进这些一成不变的工种。 同时，狭隘的经营观念也限制了他们的手脚。 7 in all, during business english translation, translator comprehension accounts for the success of business english translation. while in this period, the linguistic features of business english will influence a translators understanding level. therefore, business english translators should have strong awareness of the linguistic feature of business english. 3. the principles and application of business english on translation the second period translation is expression. that is how to completely and naturally carry the information in the source language to the target readers; which involves the principles of business english translation. among the different principle put forward by different scholars, the author holds the view that the principles proposed by professor liu english translation in his exploring into the principle of chineseenglish business translation, are basically 8 applicable to the particularity of business english. professor liu puts forward the view that the major principle of business translation should be “faithfulness, exactness and consistency” “faithfulness means to correctly express the source language information in translation; it does not demand the grammar and sentence structure to be consistent with the original, but enquires the equality in the information connotation; exactness demands translators to select words and to express the concept accurately. exactness is the core of this principle; consistency requires translators to maintain the translated names, the concepts and the terms consistently at any time. it does not permit change the identical concepts or terms at will.” therefore, the author that business english translation should abide by these principles to transmit the information exactly. 3.1 faithfulness. “faithfulness” is the first principle for business english translators to follow, which demands that the information in translation must be equivalent with the information in source language. information transmitting is the core of business, and the information should be equivalent. here, the author stresses that it is”equivalence”, but not the “similarity”. translator must abide by the principle of “faithfulness” and to transmit the equivalent information. let us look at some examples which do not abide by the principle of “faithfulness”: 1. a particular average loss under 3% of the insured amount will not be recoverable but one amounting to or exceeding 5% will be paid. 单独的平均损失低于所保金额的 3%以下时不赔，但损失达到或超过 5%时 则赔偿。 translators misunderstanding leads to the failure of information transmitting, let alone to reflect the faithfulness of translation 9 other examples: lord weinstock, the managing director of gec, yesterday for the first time publicly ruled out a takeover bid for british aerospace and said he would prefer to see joint ventures between the two companies. gec 管理部主任温斯托克勋爵，昨天首次公开投标收购大不列颠航空工 业公司，并说他希望两家公司组成一家合资公司，联合经营。 compared with principle of faithfulness, this translation completely misinterprets the original information. first,”managing director” is director in charge of a whole company. second, the translation of” rule out” is also false. “rule out” means” regards as impossible or undesirable; dismiss, forbid” these concepts are the core information in the original; however, the translator cannot faithfully transmit this important information. in fact, the right translation should be: gec 公司的董事总经理温斯托克勋爵昨天首次公开取消对英国航空公司的 收购出价，并说他宁愿设立由两家公司共同组建的合资企业 in all, “faithfulness” requires translators to transmit the equivalent information. “faithfulness” is the top priority for business english translators adhere to. 3.2 exactness “exactness” demands translators to choose the words in translation, which can transmit the equivalent information with the one source language. accuracy in both understanding and choosing words is the first condition to guarantee the quality of translation. exactness is the core of the business english translation. for translation the business text, there is high standard about exactly information transmitting. “exactness” is the key point of business english translation to adhere to the principle of exactness, it demands to elect words exactly. such as: 10 1. party a shall have a right of first refusal whenever party b wishes to sell any of its shares in the group 乙方任何时候有意出售其持有之任何股份，甲方一侓拥有优先拒绝权。 this translation completely deviates from the “exactness” spirit. the false resort impute to the misunderstanding of the phase” right of first refuse” let us look at the right translation: 乙方任何时候有意出售其持有之本集团任何股份，甲方一律有优先购买权。 this example stresses the importance to select the right words according to the connotation so as to ensure the information equivalent. besides, in the process of translating, translators have duty to check the connotation of original text. 1. i was having problem because i just could not seem to priorities my work and organize my time. i just could not seem to keep up with the workload. i suppose they did not want carry me any longer. here, the word “carry” is the key in this translation. in this business setting, the word”carry” does not mean” to take, to have (sth) with one”, in this sentence, it means to maintain or one that is weaker or less competent. so the translation should be: 我 遇到了麻烦，因为我不能按优先顺序来处理工作、安排好我的时间。我好像就 是赶不上工作进度，我想他们不愿意扶持我了。 in all, to abide by the principle of exactness, translators need to deal with cach detail to choose an exact word so as ensure information equivalent. 3.3 consistency “consistency” requires translator to adopt the consistent translated names, concept and business terms that enable the target readers understand the translation without any difficulty. 11 3.3.1 translation of business terms there is no doubt that business terms play an important role in business english. we have stated clearly in the former part of this paper that business english texts are full of business terms. when translators meet some business terms in translating, they had better keep to the same translation for the same term and abide by the principle of consistency. it is also necessary for the translator to accumulate certain business knowledge and terms. 3.3.2 translation of names with regard to translation of names, attention should be paid to the specific nouns. for example, “mr. zhang” may be translated into chinese” 张先生”or”章先 生”. so, if the translator can not decide what the “mr. zhang” refers to, he should do some investigation rather than guess by himself. the translation about the name of a company is also common in business translation. so, when translating th