The-characteristics-of-business-English-and-translation-skills.doc

琼州学院本科毕业论文1. The concept of Business EnglishBusiness means buying and selling, and English is the name of a language. Thus Business English is obviously such English as is used in mercantile transactions. The purpose of Business English is that adapt to the professional life, it involves all aspects of the business.Business English is especially related to international trade. Many non-native English speakers study business English with the goal of doing business with English-speaking countries, or with companies located in non-native English-speaking areas which are still using English as shared second language or lingua franca.Business English means different things to different people. For some, it focuses on vocabulary and topics used in the worlds of business, trade, finance, and international relations. For others it refers to the communication skills used in the workplace, and focuses on the language and skills needed for typical business communication such as presentations, negotiations, meetings, small talk, socializing, correspondence, contract, writing, and so on.In conclusion, Business English refers to the English used in business correspondence and activities. To give it a more detailed definition, business English includes Ordinary Business English and Specialized Business English. The former covers various English books, magazines, newspapers and so on. Specialized Business English only includes documents, laws, regulations, letters, specialized theories and practice in business activities. Specialized Business English distinguishes from Ordinary Business English in some aspects.2. Features of Business English Business English language is now widely used in the economy area. It is different from normal English language, which can be seen from lexical features, syntactic features and wording 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. 2.1. Lexical Analysis of Business English The business Englishs lexis is different from normal Englishs lexis ,which can be seen from the following aspects.2.1.1. Use of AbbreviationsThe 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 TermsFOB (=free on board)CI F (=cost, insurance and freight)2) International Trade AbbreviationsF.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. 2.1.2. Use of CompoundsMany compounds are used in business English, which can be rarely seen in other written styles.Vacuum-packed Encouragement policyThereon Whereof 2.1.3. Use of Formal WordsLets look at the following example first.This contract can only altered, 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 drawee 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. We may list more examples as follows: In the event of /if For the purpose of/for Prior to/before In favor of/for/to Supplement/add to Certify/prove In accordance with/by2.1.4. 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 XYZ B: I have never really understand that either. We lose money each year. A: Then thats a potential place. I dont want to touch staff. B: I agree. We are under-staffed if anything. A: I want you to prepare a cash flow projection if we divest. B: Ill prepare something for you ASAP. 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.2.1.5. Use of Shoot 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, shoot and simple verbs are often used in business English. For example, Prefer approval to approbationPrefer improve to amelioratePrefer consider to give consideration to2.2. Syntactic Features of Business English2.2.1. 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,1） On what terms do you supply spare parts?2) 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 clearlynot 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.2.2.2. 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.2.2.3. 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 WeakTo 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 StrongWe enclose 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.2.3. Wording Features of Business English2.3.1. 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.2.3.2. More Uses of the Active Voice In business English, the active voice is more often used than the passive voice. As the active voice emphasizes either party involved in a business activity. For example, Although we are appreciative your trial order for 100dozen Vocuum 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.2.3.3. 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.2.3.4. 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 s.s “Brisbane” to Accra the goods under the captioned S/C, and trust that the shipment will prove to be satisfactory to you.It is a part of a business letter. We can see many verbs and phrases show the courteous tone, such as advice, appreciate, sincerely hope, and be pleased to and so on.3. Translation Techniques of Business English3.1. Definition of TranslationTranslation is a means by which communication is possible between nations using different languages. Communication among different nations is increasing day by day and the role of it is becoming even more important. Lets look at two definitions of translation:Catford: “Translation may be defined as follows: the replacement of textual material in one language (SL) by equivalent textual material in another language (TL).” Nida: “Translation consists in the reproduction in the receptor language of the message of the source language understood the original message. Translation is defined from different angles. Some focuses on nature, while others may focus on equivalence or something else. At least, translation involves two languages and requires a wide range of knowledge. Translation is the faithful representation in one language of the thought content, feeling and style relating to another language. This situation requires a large number of translators to improve their professional skills so as to have better versions and to meet the needs of increasing communication.3.2. Business Translation at Present With the deepening of globalization of the world economy, international business intercourse has been in a much more frequent trend. English has been involved in various fields in commercial activities, such as the technology transfer, foreign trade, the introduction of foreign investment, international financing, transnational tourism and international transportation, are wholly called business English. English has become an indispensable linguistic communication means in the world economic field. And it is reported in statistics that nearly 90% of those who use English as their first language or second language approach daily with business English. As a tool in cross-national commercial affairs exchange, business English has been encountering a conflict in translation between the supply and demand. On one hand, translators in all lines have all their hands full and busy because of the gradual expansion of international exchange and cooperation and more onerous tasks involved in C-E or E-C business translation; on the other hand, by means of some modern media, such as e-commerce and internet, used in international business relation, translators are requested to provide quickly and correctly with commercial messages of high quality, much less time to make a serious consideration of wording. Under such a condition, translators are required to improve their speed and quality of translation through conversance with commercial knowledge and proficient skills in business translation.3.3. Standards for Business English Translation As to the criteria of translation, what we should first mention is Yan Fus three-character standard, namely, faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance, which has exercised great flounce on our translation work since it was founded 100 years ago. To some extent, Yan Fus standard can be neither wholly applied to business translation. As we all know, in some aspects, business translation is much more difficult than literary translation. Because, besides linguistic competence and translation techniques, the translators have to master commercial knowledge and understand the linguistic characteristics and expression styles in various fields of business English. Though Yan Fus translation standard is suitable for literary translation, it dose not surely meet the needs in business translation. Commercial English rendering requires translators to transfer completely the messages through the professional business English. “Faithfulness” is the perquisite in standardized business English, whereas “conciseness”, “elegance” and “accuracy” are relative to the readers. Please look at the following translation. Original text: We acknowledge receipt of your enquiry of August 2, asking us to make you a firm offer for 500 dozen Tiantan Brand mens silk shirts in various sizes and colors, for September shipment to Odense.We can see that translators should not only understand the original language, but also should know the authors thought and his expression features. Translators have to be good at distinguishing and representing these features, maintaining the distinct characters of the translating work.3.4. Translation Techniques of Business English3.4.1. Identifying the Basic Meaning and Extended MeaningIn business English, one kind of words will change their basic meaning to extend meaning when used in different contexts. In such a situation, translators should deal with them flexibly. In business English, the basic meaning of community is a group of people living together and/or united by interests, religion, and nationality. In above examples, the basic meanings of community do not change. But the translations of it are different. For example,China, which posted its highest growth rate in a decade, is Asias new star performer.We are familiar with “star”, which means “famous or brilliant singer, performer, sportsman, etc.” Here, “star performer” extends its basic meaning to “the excellent developing country.”3.4.2. Identifying the Normal Meaning and Technical MeaningNo matter we do C-E or E-C translation, we cant just find the word from a dictionary. We should identify its technical mean