谈商务英语信函的语言特点及其翻译-文学学士.doc

论文编号： 华南师范大学增城学院本科毕业论文（设计）题 目：谈商务英语信函的语言特点及其翻译姓 名: 周淑燕 学 号: 060114223 系 别: 外语系 专业班级: 商务英语B班 指导教师: 朱艳敏 2010 年 4 月 13 日 Language Features of English Business Letters and the TranslationA Thesis Submittedto the Department of Foreign Languages Zengcheng College of South China Normal Universityin Partial Fulfillment of the Requirementsfor the Degree of Bachelor of ArtsBy Zhou ShuyanTutor：Zhu YanminApril 13, 2010Table of ContentsAbstracti中文摘要ii1.Introduction.1 1.1 Background information. .1 1.2 Aims. 11.3 Research method.21.4 Structrue of the dissertation.22.Literature Review.32.1 Previous studies on language features of English business letters.32.2 Previous studies on the translation of English business letters.43. Language Features of English Business Letters. 63.1 Lexical features.6 3.1.1 Formality and conciseness.6 3.1.2 Specialized vocabulary and commercial terms.63.2 Syntax features.7 3.2.1 Effectiveness and politeness.7 3.2.2 Formula widely used.8 3.2.3 Vagueness.83.3 Discourse features.93.4 Summary.94. Translation Methods used in English Business Letters.104.1 Translation standard.104.2 Translation techniques.104.3 Summary.115. Conclusion.125.1 Summary.125.2 Limitation and suggestion. 12Bibliography.14Acknowledgement.15AbstractIn the 21st century, international exchanges are increasingly frequent. With the growing scale of foreign trade, business English has become an indispensable tool of language communication in the worlds economic activities. As the primary means to transmit information and discuss business in international trade, English business letters are playing an increasingly important role in business activities. The language features of English business letters are mainly embodied in formal and concise wordings, polite and effective syntax, and coherent and logical discourse. As a result, how to understand and translate English business letters properly, and convey our information and condition accurately and faithfully to the other party, has become a critical issue. Through literature review and examples, this article analyzes the language features of English business letters in detail and makes a preliminary study of its translation standards and methods. Then some recommendations will be given. Its designed to help students and practitioners have a better understanding of English business letters, so as to improve practical capacity, and promote economic development.Keywords: English business letters; language features; translation中文摘要在国际交流日益频繁的 21世纪，对外贸易规模不断扩大，商贸英语已经成为世界经济活动中必不可少的语言交际工具。而作为国际贸易中传递信息和洽谈业务的主要手段，商务信函在商务活动中起着越来越重要的作用。商务信函的语言特点主要体现为用词规范正式，语句客套有效，语篇逻辑连贯。于是，如何理解好、翻译好外贸信函，把我方的信息和条件准确、忠实地传达给对方，就成了一个至关重要的问题。通过文献总结和举例，本文详细地分析了商务英语信函的语言特点并对其翻译标准和方法作初步探讨，提出建议。旨在帮助专业学生和相关从业人员更好地理解商务英语函电，从而提高实操能力，促进经济发展。关键词：商务英语信函； 语言特点； 翻译1. Introduction1.1. Background informationWith the development of economic globalization, international activities are increasingly frequent. As a major instrument of business intercourse, English business letters play an increasingly important role. English business letters have some particular features in language, and its translation standards and techniques are also different from that of the general English translation. In this dissertation, the language features of English business letters are described in the aspects of lexicology, syntax, and discourse. And at the same time, we will summarize the translation standards and skills.By summarizing previous studies, we find that the language features of English business letters are significant. With the maturity of the theoretical system, the 7C principles “courtesy, consideration, clearness, completeness, conciseness, concreteness, and correctness” are followed widely nowadays. The wording is formal, concise, and austere; under the business environment, specialized vocabulary and commercial terms are widely used; the sentences are expressed effectively and politely, and fixed formulas are used extensively; discourse is coherent, logic, and strong. Thus, the translation of business letters is more complicated than that of normal English, because not only should the translators master the culture of both languages, be familiar with translation skills, but also be familiar with the business knowledge and understand the business expressions in various fields. Nidas dynamic equivalence theory can be applied in the translation of different types of English business letters, and we can achieve the “faithful, authentic, unified” standard. We should learn jargon translation of jargon, terminology translation of terms, pay attention to the phenomenon of polysemy, duplication and omission, and avoid applying death translation mechanically or chaos translation of the words too literally.1.2 AimsThrough the analysis of the language features of English business letters and the translation, we mainly aim to help students and business English professional practitioners know better about English business letters and translate more accurately and formally, so as to improve practical capacity, and promote economic development.1.3 Research methodBy analyzing literary references, language features of English business letters will be analyzed and classified, and the translation standards and methods will be demonstrated. The analysis is mainly descriptive and qualitative.1.4 Structure of the dissertation The dissertation consists of five chapters. The first chapter is a general introduction to the research. Chapter Two describes the previous study on the topic. Chapter Three states the language features of English business letters. Chapter Four describe the translation methods used in English business letters. The conclusion is drawn in the last chapter. 2. Literature ReviewBusiness English is the variant of a social function of English, an English branch for specific purposes, and the application of English in business situations. Business English and common English are different. It emphasizes the business communication skills. In this section, we will reviews the previous studies done on language features of English business letters and the translation methods.2.1 Previous studies on language features of English business lettersEnglish Business Letters have distinct characteristics which are different from the ordinary means of communication. With the maturity of the theoretical system, its language commonly follows the “7C principles”, that is, “courtesy, consideration, clearness, completeness, conciseness, concreteness, correctness” (Chen Yongsheng, 1994), whose objective is to maintain a good business relationship, effective communication and to conduct normal business dealings. The core is efficiency. Economy and conciseness are the concrete manifestations of the efficiency.The applications of commercial terms add some “mystery” character for English business letters. French linguist Martinet A. (1954) has proposed “the Economides Changements Phonetiques” in his masterpiece. For the sake of the time-saving needs of economic principles, the phenomenon of language abbreviations emerges. Business English also has a typical abbreviated way. “Commercial contracts, consumers warranties, or manuals of the same tools, have their special versions. Being not familiar with is unlikely to understand.” (Wang Zuoliang, Ding Wangdao, 1987).In the late 20th century, Brown and Levinson (1987:62) inherited and developed the theory of face-saving behavior. They proposed that in language communication, in order to reserve our dignity and others face, the best way is to use polite language. Well-known British linguist Leech G. (1983) proposed six criteria for politeness principles: Tact Maxim, Generosity Maxim, Approbation Maxim, Modesty Maxim, Agreement Maxim, Sympathy Maxim. In the language features of English business letters, these guidelines reflect a lot. The pursuit of conciseness and correctness in English business letters and appropriate use of vague language are not paradoxical. “It is essential to understand the vague language strategy for the analysis of certain types of courtesy.” (Channell J., 1994). Mr Zhu Gelin (1987) mentioned in his book Practical English Handbook of Foreign Trade that “not all foreign correspondence should be correctness, in certain circumstances, not only allowing generalization, but its better to be a bit general.” It could also avoid being too specific in order to be “diplomatic” and “more strategy”. Vagueness here does not refer to words ambiguous in meanings. To a certain extent, they are words that can ease tone，express politeness, enhance level of praise and thanks, save face and avoid damaging each other.2.2 Previous studies on translation methods used in English business lettersThe translation standards of English Business letters and requirements are the yardstick and measure of translation practice. However, even if the translation of our nation has a long history, argumentation of the controversial translation standard is difficult to unity.American linguist and translator, Dr. E.A. Nidas (1964) theory of Dynamic equivalence is praised by many Chinese scholars as the standard for judging good or bad translation and the ultimate goal they pursue. The theory is based on sociology, social linguistics, semiotics and other discipline, emphasizing the dynamic equivalence during the process of language information exchange and converse, rather than simple, static, formal peer. In 1964, he first proposed the translation standard of “dynamic equivalence”.In the 1980s, he and Di J. (1984), a Chinese scholar, co-authored “On Translation”. In this book, they re-elaborated the theory of dynamic equivalence, which writes: “The dynamic c character depends upon a comparison of two relations. This is to say, the relations of the target language receptors to the target language text should be roughly equivalent to the relationship between the original receptors and the original text. It is this double relationship that provides the basis for dynamic equivalence.” The “equivalence” in the theory requires that the value of target language and source language are equaled. It advocate that we should reproduce the transmission of the original language in the most neat and smooth way, thus it can obtain the maximum equality between the two languages.Nidas dynamic equivalence theory emphasizes that we should consider the structure of discourse in the process of reorganization and integration of information, especially the style, including the stylistic elements, features, uses and types, etc. He divided the style into five major categories, namely, professional style, formal style, informal style, casual style, and intimate style. According to his classification, business English, involves import and export business, and is inextricably linked with the knowledge of banking, insurance, customs, transportation, and law. Therefore, it can be basically categorized to the professional style or formal style. Of course, the coverage of business English is broader, the formal and professional nature of the style is relatively weaker compared with foreign accounting English and international financial English.Some scholars simply deny that business English is a professional language, such as Leo Jones and Richard Alexander (2008) of United Kingdom. They said in the Business English of Cambridge test series, “Business English is not a professional language. Its just English used in business occasions. Despite a number of “business” professional terms, most of the so-called business English is used in business English activities, not professional language.”Though there is certain truth in the above point of view, business English language has its peculiarities after all. In the translation application of the dynamic equivalence theory, you can at least see it as quasi-professional, quasi-formal style.Dynamic equivalence theory can be widely applied in various forms of business English translation, such as letters, messages, legal instruments and advertising.Ye Yulong (1998) believes that “for business English, in addition to faithfulness and fluency of the translation standard, we must also add authenticity.” Zhang Xin-hong and Li Ming(2003) believe that not only should the translators master the culture of both languages, be familiar with translation skills, but they should also be familiar with the business knowledge and understand the business expression in various fields. Chang Yutian (2002) often said when he was talking about the translation standards, “the most fundamental task of translation is not to convert language, but to convey meaning, information and content, therefore, business English translation is different from those of the literary or other stylistic work. It must emphasize the semantic equivalence and “authenticity”, which gives the readers a feeling of professionalism, rather than general language description.”3. Language Features of English Business Letters Different styles should use different words. During the long-term use of English, part of the vocabulary has shaped its own style. The style of business English is not expressed in superficial beauty as its goal, but pays attention to “courtesy, consideration, clearness, completeness, conciseness, concreteness, correctness”, which is the traditional 7C principle.Therefore, no matter in lexicology, syntax, or discourse, the contents and readers of English business letters are well targeted and unique features are gradually formed.3.1 Lexical featuresWords and styles are closely linked. English business letters are practical styles, and have its own specialized vocabulary. When writing business letters, drafting commercial documents, besides the correct choice of words, we should also notice the conciseness.3.1.1 Formality and concisenessTerminology should be formal. For example, “The obligations shall be affected neither by the liquidation of the contract nor by a premature termination of the same.” “Liquidation” and “termination” in the sentence are more formal than their synonym “cancel” and “end”. The formal language is sincere, natural, and polite.Wording should be concise, and avoid being long-winded. Business is war, so that the social and cultural groups of business English have reached a consensus that the business language should be concise, such as “now” instead of “at this time”; “endorse this check” instead of “endorse on the back of this check” and so on. English business letters are used to deliver business information and related to economic interests. Therefore, their expressions are straightforward, clean and clear.The wording is also austere. Thus it expresses ideas with simple modern English instead of old commercial jargons, such as the expression “We confirm receipt of your cable of October 10.”3.1.2 Specialized vocabulary and commercial terms Business English is not a special language, but its vocabulary is specialized in the context of a certain business environment to conduct business activities. We call it business English vocabulary, such as “To our knowledge, their financial standing is sound.” “Standing” in the sentence does not mean “stand”, but means “the situation”. This is characterized by the nature of international trade work. In the import and export trade practice, commodities, inquiry, quotation, contracts, ordering, payment, transport, insurance, agents, claims and arbitration, and other business activities and contents are widely related. These elements determine the vocabulary choice of this style. Therefore, business vocabulary such as inquire, offer, quote, price, goods, merchandise, consignment, shipment, payment, delivery, condition, contract, agency, import, export, agreement, invoice, bank, claim, confirmation, acceptances often show up in English business letters. Many of them are abstract nouns.Because of the time-saving economy needs of language use, the phenomenon of language abbreviations exists. Contents of English business letters are basically of the commercial aspects. If a reader wants to fully understand an English business letter, just knowing every word or literal meaning of the entire article is not enough. He also needs to know commercial terms appearing in the article. A series of commercial terms have also been formed in the long-term use of business English, such as:(1) Acronyms: FOB (Free on Board) price terms; L/C (Letter of Credit) trade terms; D/P (Documents against Payment) pay terms (2) Alphabet words of the first letter: SWIFT: Society for Worldwide Inter-bank Financial Telecommunication; COSCO: China Ocean Shipping Company (3) Truncated words: Exp. &Imp. Inc: Export and Import Incorporated; Ad: advertisement (4