商务英语以及翻译的技巧论文.doc

分类号 密级 U D C 编号 本科毕业论文(设计) 题目 商务英语的特点及其翻译技巧 The Characteristics of Business English and Its Translating Techniques系 别 外国语学院 专 业 名 称 商务英语 年 级 2009级 学 生 姓 名 杜红 学 号 1056391279 指 导 教 师 宋文慧 二0一二年十一月The Characteristics of Business English and Its Translating Technique Du Hong Tutor: Song Wenhui November 2012Acknowledgements: I would like to give my sincere thanks to my supervisor Prof. Wang Wei for teaching me how to write my research paper and helping me generously to revise it. Meanwhile, I want to thank the College Library from which I got enough useful information, with the help of which I finished my paper. And also I would like to thank all my classmates who gave me lots of helpful suggestions.Abstract: As the world continues to deepen economic integration and expansion, international business has become increasingly frequent, and the role of Business English is becoming increasingly significant. Its significant features, as well as the English translation of the corresponding Chinese translation skills to carry out a brief analysis, which helps business people to learn better English, better for business communication, international economic and trade success. Translation is the key to International business. Even though business English was derived from ordinary English, as a practical communicative tool, it has its own language features as well as content characteristics. Due to the features of business English, problems and deviation may arises during the process of translation. This thesis starts from analyzing the features of business English, then listing some translation skills when doing business transactions. From these aspects, I summarized some translation techniques and the qualities and requirements needed for a translator. Key words: international business; business English; features; translation techniques; requirements； qualities.摘要：随着世界经济一体化和经济扩张的加剧，国际贸易变得日趋频繁，随之商务英语的作用变得日益重要。对于商务英语的显著特征和其汉译英的翻译技巧展开的简要分析，可以帮助商务人士更好地学习英语、更好地进行商务交流以实现国际经济和贸易的成功。翻译是国际商务的关键。尽管商务英语是从原始英语之中引申出来的，但是作为一种实际的交流工具，它有自己的语言特点和内容特征。鉴于商务英语的特点，在进行商务英语翻译的过程中可能出现一些问题和偏差。这篇论文以分析商务英语的特点开始，接着列举了一些在商务交易中的翻译技巧。另外通过这些方面，我总结了一些翻译技巧和作为一个翻译者应当具备的能力和要求。关键词：国际贸易；商务英语；特点；翻译技巧；要求；能力 - III -ContentsAcknowledgments Abstract摘要1. Introduction22. Definition of business English23. Characteristics of business English33.1. Syntactic features of business English 33.2 .Lexical features of business English43.3. Wording features of business English63.4. Stylistic features of business English74. Translation techniques of business English84.1. Identifying the basic meaning and extended meaning84.2. Identifying the normal meaning and technical meaning84.3. Omission of unnecessary words94.4. Omission of cumbersome words94.5. Adding necessary words104.6. Translation of courteous tone105. Requirements and qualities for translator115.1. To strengthen their own attainment.115.2. To improve in translation practices.12 5.3. Learn from others and keep innovative 12 6.Conclusion.13 Bibliography .14. 1. IntroductionBusiness English is derived from original English and based on it，so business English completely has the language characteristic of original English。At the same time，business English is the combination of business and English，so it also has its peculiarity. Business English language is now widely used in the economy area. It is different from normal English language, which can be seen from syntactic features, lexical features ，wording features and stylistic features. Based on these linguistic features, the translation methods of business English are different from normal ones. Here, some new translation techniques of business English will be introduced.2. Definition of business English Business English is a kind of social function variant，a branch of English for special use，an application of English in business occasion. It involves technology introduction, foreign trade, investment, foreign export of labor services, international finance, foreign insurance, overseas investment, international transportation, and people engaged in these activities using English collectively referred to as business English.Business English become the international economic cooperation and the important tool of business communication and with the passage of time has formed its unique in the field of style. Because of its unique, people separated it from the common English and called it a business English, and become an organic component of ESP (English for specific purpose). The concept of business English has a very rich connotation. The business English study caused many famous scholars interest and attention, they have made many discussions incisively. Business English in the interpretation of the academic literature are: 1. British Business English experts Nick Bridger (1997) proposed a Business English category theory, namely Business English should include language knowledge, communication function, professional knowledge, management functions and cultural background and some core contents. In the technology import, foreign trade, investment, foreign insurance, international finance, international transportation, Foreign Service contracting and other business activities of English used can be collectively referred to as business English. (Xiang Yangon 2002) 2. business English, to English as the carrier, in order to adapt to all kinds of office life language requirements as the main purpose, involved in all aspects of the business activities, to teach the western business enterprise principle of management, working, philosophy and living habits as the main contents of the professional English. 3. Characteristics of Business EnglishIn general，as a functional variant，business English has its own typical features，which can be mainly concluded as these aspects：Firstly，the language form of business English 、vocabulary and contents are relevant to business，that is to say，business English covers the information of business theory and business practice，English without specific theory and practice can not be called business English. Secondly，wording of business English should be intelligible、formal、concise and simple. Thirdly，the sentence structure of business English is usually more complicated ，sentence pattern is normative，type of writing is formal，especially in bidding documents and tender documents，more in contracts. Fourthly, business English is always more specific、definite when stating facts，absolutely not ambiguous and irrelevant，it often should avoid being indistinct and abstract. Now I will elaborate the characteristics of business English from, syntactic features ，lexical features ，wording features and stylistic feature in a detailed way.3.1. Syntactic Features of Business English 3.1.1. Sentence Length.Generally, long and complicated sentences are more difficult for the reader to understand than shorter, simple ones. Long sentences can make business letters clumsy and difficult to read and thus hinder clear communication. While short ones are easy to organize and are comparatively casual and colloquial. Short sentences are often used in daily and unofficial business correspondence. For example, A: On what terms do you supply spare parts? B: We are ready to offer you 5% discount according to usual practice.However, it is different in legal business documents such as contracts. The official legal documents emphasize the logic line. We need to express clearly not only the key meaning but also the exceptions or less vital issues. Thus it is unavoidable for those documents to use long and complex sentences. For example, By irrevocable, transferable, and divisible bankers acceptance letter of credit to cover the total value of each monthly (or lot of) shipment as stipulated above, to be available by drafts, atdays sight, to reach the sellersdays before the respective time of shipment stipulated above (or within days after receipt of the sellers advice) and to remain valid for negotiation in China until the 15th day after the relative time of shipment. A translator should bear in mind the stylistic requirements of different styles and choose the most proper expression.3.1.2. Use of Programmed Sentence Structure Lets look at some examples first. Ordinary version: Because of both parties good cooperation, the above parties are very satisfied. We welcome your requirement to continue the cooperation. Professional version: Owing to the fact that through our close cooperation, the above-mentioned contract has been executed smoothly to the satisfaction of both parties, we welcome your offer to continue the cooperation. The context and communication function of business English compel people to use programmed sentence structure, which differs greatly from the Chinese logic and the common way in daily English translation. Thus the ordinary translation logic can not meet the needs of professional business English translation in this aspect.3.1.3. Use of Strong Opening Sentences In many business letters, we can see the sentences are always written strongly, going straight to the point and expressing the subject of the letter, instead of making some long-winded references to the correspondence received. Lets compare the following examples. Version 1: Long and weak .To give you a general idea of our products, we enclose a complete set of leaflets showing various products being handled by this corporation with detailed specifications and means of packing. Version 2: Concise and Strong .We encloses a complete set of leaflets for you to have a general idea of our products. From the above examples, we may notice that strong opening sentences are more straightforward and concise. Americans business people maintain that the spoken style used in business letters produces a friendlier atmosphere. Just like examples of version 2, the strong opening sentence bears colloquial characteristics, which are direct, short, and clear. This kind of opening sentences enables the readers to grasp the main purport of a letter within a short time. 3. 2. Lexical Features of Business English 3.2.1. Use of Abbreviations The word “abbreviation”, strictly means a shortening or abridgment, commonly refers to a letter or a group of letters taken from a single word or phrase, and used for brevitys sake, to represent that word or phrase. In business English, abbreviations are very often used to save space and time. This conforms to the conciseness characteristic of business English. However, when we use the abbreviations, we should know their meanings and know where they are appropriate. In business English, most abbreviations have the fixed meanings. 1) International Trade Terms FOB (=free on board) CI F (=cost, insurance and freight) 2) International Trade Abbreviations F.A.Q (=fair average quality) D.W.T (=dead weight on) 3) Abbreviations and Simplified Words Commonly Used in Cables and Telexes PLS (=please) ASAP (=as soon as possible) 4) Country Codes CN (=China) US (=United States) Abbreviations of business English have a special system in expression different from the one of daily English. If we flout the unique characteristics of business English abbreviations to render those frequently used abbreviations, it is impossible to serve successfully for the international trade. 3. 2.2. Use of Formal Words Lets look at the following example first. This contract can only alter, amended or supplemented in accordance with documents signed and sealed by authorized representatives of both parties. Here, many formal words such as amend, supplement, documents, authorize, representatives are used. In business English, formal words are very often used to achieve a formal tone. Such examples are more often found in business contracts. For instance, 1) the drawer is required to pay the bill a certain number of days after sight. “Require” is more formal than “need”. 2) With regard to the payee, the drawer may use one of the following methods. “With regard to” is more formal than “about”. 3.2. 3. Use of Technique Terms Business English is closely related to the special field of knowledge. Therefore, there are a lot of technique terms in business English. Lets look at a dialogue first: A: I have been reviewing the budget and a few things worry me. B: What are they? A: I think we need to reduce some of our debt. B: How do you think we should do that? A: We should liquidate some of our investments. B: Which ones? A: Well, I dont really understand why we own part of it. B: I have never really understand that either. We lose money each year. In such a short dialogue, we can see many vocabularies of economy and trading, such as budget, debt, liquidate, investment, cash flow and so on. In order to completely understand this dialogue, we should first understand those technical terms. So, to learn business English, we should also learn the related knowledge.3.2. 4. Use of Short and Simple Verbs Many business people feel that simple words are more impressive than those pompous ones. Readers may get lost in the maze of long words and often miss the meaning. So, short and simple verbs are often used in business English. For example, Prefer “approval” to “approbation” Prefer “improve” to “ameliorate” Prefer “consider” to “giving consideration to”3.3. Wording Features of Business English3.3.1. Use of the Present Tense Business English often uses the present tense to emphasize an actual, principled and effective mode. Other tenses are used as necessary complementarities. For example, “If you have children, do make a point to buy a bottle for them. A bottle of 300 tablets will last a month, and it pays in every way to make an investment in health and body building. If you feel as we do that this is a fair and advantageous proposition, please simply fill out the enclosed order card and mail it in the postage-paid envelope provided.3.3.2. More Uses of the Active Voice In business English, the active voice is more often used than the passive voice. And the active voice emphasizes either party involved in a business activity. For example, Although we are appreciative your trial order for 100 dozen Vacuum Flasks, we regret that we are unable to consider your request for payment under D/A terms, the reason being that we generally ask for payment by letter of credit. 3.3.3. More Uses of the Direct Way to Express Meaning Lets compare two examples first. Version 1: Record your check-in and check-out times at the office.Version 2: Your check-in and check-out times are to be recorded at the office. From the above two sentences, we can see that version 1 is more direct than version 2 but have the same effect to express the meaning. 3.3.4. Use of Courteous Tone Ive pointed in the prior part that one of the most important functions of business English is communication. As for communication, people should pay attention to the politeness. Especially, in business letters writing, courteous tone is always adopted. Following examples will prove it well. We are very much pleased to advise you that we have dispatched by sis “Brisbane” to Accra the goods under the captioned S/C, and trust that the shipment will prove to be satisfactory to you.3.4. Stylistic Features of Business English Business English style is the mainly used type of writing in business activities. Business style involves a wide field，Common style have business letters, legal documents, bidding documents, enterprise introduction, product specification, contract, letter of credit, advertising, etc. Business style diversity decides that business English has a complete, concise, specific, accurate, clear, polite and considerate discourse features, as follows:(1) Integrity. The integrity of the business English text mainly refers to the integrity of the discourse content, i.e., the business English documents shall cover a business activity involved in all situations and problems. Only in this way can it avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and disputes, guarantee the smooth progress of business activities.(2) Simplicity. Simplicity refers to the business English discourse should guarantee its content concise and comprehensive under the premise of integrity, namely expressing meaning by using fewer words without misunderstanding. This not only saves time, but also helps improve efficiency.(3) Concreteness. Concreteness refers to business discourse shall ensure that the content is specific, absolutely avoids waffles. Only in this way，can business activities go smoothly. when disputes occur，they can be solved properly.（4）Correctness. The correctness of the business English refers to business discourse content must have standard language, appropriate narration, right digital, and accurate terms. Do not allow any error occur，or it will bring enterprise unnecessary loss.（5）Clarity. Clarity refers to the business text must be prominent, distinct, readable. Therefore, language structure of business English should be simple and clear as far as possible， avoid using partial words, difficult words, strange words and ambiguous