商务英语中缩略词的运用及翻译.doc

摘 要本文首先简单介绍了缩略词的定义、特点以及构词方式，指出它具有省时、省力、省材料的特点，符合语言的“经济原则”；然后探究了缩略词在商务英语中的运用，主要分缩略词在口语中的运用和函电中的运用；接着选取大量实例证明缩略词翻译的一般原则和方法；最后总结缩略词的发展趋势，强调缩略词是商务英语的一个重要组成部分，以及正确理解和学习缩略词的重要性。关键词：商务英语；缩略词；运用；翻译ABSTRACTThis paper first makes a brief introduction of the definition, characteristics and word-formation of abbreviations, pointing out that they are usually time-saving, effort-saving, and material-saving and in line with economic principles in language. And then it explores the application of abbreviations in business English, mainly in two areasspoken business English and correspondences of business English. Moreover, a large number of instances are selected to provide the general principles and methods of the abbreviation translations. The paper conclusively proposes the development trend of abbreviations, stressing that abbreviations are an important component of business English and deserve every language learners attention.Key words：business English ; abbreviations; application; translation 中国最大的论文知识平台Contents1Introduction12. Brief Introduction of Abbreviations22.1 Definition of abbreviations22.2 Characteristics of abbreviations22.3 General rules of abbreviations33. Application of Abbreviations in Business English73.1 Spoken Business English73.2 Written Business English94. Translation of Abbreviations in Business English134.1 Addition134.2 Transliteration154.3 Paraphrasing164.4 Combination of transliteration and addition175Conclusion18Acknowledgements19References201IntroductionWith the rapid development of world economy, business English is more and more important. Meanwhile, abbreviations increase with an amazing speed because of their characteristics of economy and convenience. It is said that abbreviations have numbered several millions. Nowadays, it is reasonably acceptable to say that English abbreviations are widely used in business English. In our daily use of business English, we can always see such words like WTO, UN, USA, and L/C both in spoken and written English. But scholars in the west do not pay much attention on the abbreviations until late 20th century. This paper will explore the application of abbreviations in business English, which can be divided into spoken English and correspondences of business English. Then it selects a large number of instances to provide the general principles and methods of the translations of abbreviations. At last it proposes the development trend of abbreviations, and the importance of abbreviations in business English, as well as the importance of correct understanding and translation of abbreviations. 2. Brief Introduction of Abbreviations Abbreviations are very young from a historical point of view; they are unknown for most people until in 1943 the acronym appeared at the first time. Nowadays, it is said that abbreviations number several millions! They are an important part of English especially in business English.2.1 Definition of abbreviations An abbreviation is a short form of a word or phrase. The Cambridge International Dictionary of English defines abbreviation as “to make a word (sentence, book, etc.) shorten”,1 which is very accurate. For example, “ACDT” is short for “accident”, “AEC” is short for “Atomic Energy Commission”. They are abbreviations of words and phrases; “RITA” is short for “Romance Is Treasured Always”， “IBM” is sometimes for “Ive Been Moved”, or sometimes “International Business Machine”. They are abbreviations of sentences.However, the Websters New Collegiate Dictionary defines “abbreviation” as “a shortening of a word or a phrase”, which means abbreviation is the short form of a word or a phrase, for example, “MR” is for “Mister”, “WWW” is for “World Wide Web”. Obviously, the former definition is more accurate than the latter. 2.2 Characteristics of abbreviations (1) The first characteristic of abbreviations is that they are easy to write and remember. Abbreviations are short forms of words, phrases and sentences, thus on the basis of not changing the meanings of words, phrases and sentences, they simplify the original forms to a remarkable extent. For example, “NO.” equals “number”, “BK” equals “bank”.(2) The second characteristic of abbreviations is that they are easy to read and listen. Abbreviations are much shorter than the original forms, because of the simplification; it is much easier for people to read. For example, “IM” is short for import; “ADB” is the abbreviation of “American Development Bank”; “AIDS” is for “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome”; “DIY” is for “Do It Yourself”, “NATO” means “North Atlantic Treaty Organization”，and the original form of “OPEC” is for “the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries”.This is also approved by American scholar George Kingsley Zipf, he said the main meaning of his “Principle of Least Effort” is to gain the most by the least effort. 2 It can be discussed from two aspects: the speaker and the listener. The speaker can use the easiest words to express his/her meaning correctly, and the listener can understand it by the least effort. (3) Another characteristic, which is also an advantage of abbreviations is that they are convenient for use, time-saving and effort-saving. It is agreed in linguistic society that the reason why words are shortened is to make it economic and effort-saving in language use.3442 This is also called “the principle of economy” which was firstly put forward by A. Martinet in the 50s of 20th century when he was studying the empty-space (语音空位). It says that “the idea that a principle of least effort governs much of human behaviour, mental and physical, is well established”.4242(4) The fourth characteristic of abbreviations is that they are vivid than the original words on both of style and emotionality. For example, “Any super power is the U.S or S.U”, in which “U.S” and “S.U” make a distinctive contrast.(5) The fifth characteristic of abbreviations is ambiguity. This means abbreviations are ambiguous since abbreviations are shortened from the original forms. Sometimes there will be many meanings in the same form of one abbreviation. For example, “WTO” can be World Trade Organization when in the range of economy; it also can be World Tourism Organization when people talk about travelling. Abbreviation disambiguation means to choose the correct long form based on its context.5 This also means we should translate abbreviations correctly according to the context.2.3 General rules of abbreviationsEnglish abbreviations are always guided by the following rules:(1) Abbreviate the vowels and keep the consonants or the key consonants in the word; but we do not abbreviate the vowels in the words-initial. For example:PRGRM=program RCH=reach PLS=please RCV=receiveYR=your PCS=pieces PRC=price CSTMR=customerRPTN=repetition PRDTN=production But:INCLD=include OPND=opened ENQRY=enquiry UNRCVD=undeceived683(2) Keep the first syllable and the first letter of the second syllable, or keep the first two syllables and the first letter of the third syllable. For example:COMB=combine CERT=certificateINV=invoice BAL=balanceDISAP=disapprove VOL=volumeESTAB=establish IMMED=immediately683(3) Keep the first syllable and the key consonants of the other syllables. For example,DIST=district EQPT=equipment CONCTN=connection AIRFRT=airfreightDEPT=department CONSGT=consignment683(4) Of the words whose stresses are on the last syllable, keep the last stressed syllable and the other consonants or key consonants. For example: WOUT=without SPORE=Singapore GTEE=guarantee TRSFR=transfer ADRSEE=address683-84(5) Keep the first letter of the first syllable and the whole letters of the last syllable. For example:OWISE=otherwise TFORE=thereforeMTIME=meantime TDAY=todayYDAY=yesterday684(6) Keep the first two syllablesNEGO=negotiation CAPA=capacityMEMO=memorandum684(7) Keep the first and the last syllableRD=road RM=room FM=from SN=soon WT=weight BK=bankDR=debtor HR=hourPR=pair YD=yard684(8) Use the homophonic lettersU=you THRU=throughBIBI=bye-bye NU=newNITE=night684(9) Some set phrase, usually they have set forms of abbreviations -ed=-D -ful=-L -able, -ible, -ble=-BL -ing=-G -ment=-MT,-T,-MNT -tion=-N,-TN -ness=-NS -less=-LS -ent,-ant=-NT -er, -or, -ure=-R -est, -ist= -ST -ize=-Z RYC=refer to your cable RYL=refer to your letter ROL=refer to our letter RYTX=refer to your telex WLB=will be HVB=have been W/I=within W/O=without684-85(10) Use abbreviations that accepted by people all over the world FOB=free on board CIF=cost, insurance and freight L/C=letter of credit D/A=documents against acceptance PO=post office KG=kilogram LB=pound OZ=ounce HK=Hong Kong NY=New York6853. Application of Abbreviations in Business EnglishIn a generally accepted sense, abbreviations are used widely in business English. Since abbreviations are easy to write, easy to remember and time-saving, they are dominant in business English, either in documents, fax, trade mark, or in business negotiations. As the Spanish linguist Felix Rodriguez said that when he was studying abbreviations:“If language has always been prone to linguistic economy, if speakers and writers tend to be concise and precise, this need is much more strongly felt in the face of complex phrases and demonstrations which are continuously created to name new realities.”42423.1 Spoken Business English When business people make a negotiation, or talk about something commercial, we can always hear some words like “FOB”, “CFR” and so on in spoken English. There are plenty of abbreviations used as professional terms such as “OEM” is for “Original Equipment Manufacturer”; “MOQ” is for “Minimum Order of Quantity” because they are familiar to business people. Among them, the most common one is the trade terms. For example, “FOB” is for “free on board”, “COD” for “cash on delivery”.The trade terms are the most common ones used in spoken business English. Trade terms result from the long-time practice of international trade, which use a brief word to express the prices of commodities，the delivery place, or to state the risk and the responsibility. With the trade terms, business people can save a lot of time when they are negotiating. For example, “CIF” means “cost, insurance and freight”; “CFR” is for “cost and freight”. Lets look at another example. We usually hear business people say, “We agree the payment is made by D/P instead of L/C”. Here, “D/P” is the abbreviation of “documents against payment”; “L/C” is the abbreviation of “letter of credit”.For instance, clerks of a foreign trade company are often asked to go to the “CCPIT” to get the “C/O” and other documents. Here, “CCPIT” is short for “China Council for the Promotion of International Trade”, “C/O” is for “Certificate of Origin”.Some words, which are shortened according to their pronunciation, such as “thru” is for “through”; “OFA” is for “offer”(报价); “IOU” is for “I owe you”(借条)；”Flite” is for “flight”(航班)7445 are usually used in spoken English.Another two examples(1) “Well TGIF.” He said wearily as he walked into the office.Here, TGIF equals “Thank God Its Friday”.(2) Your proposal sounds interesting. Please e-mail me the details as soon as you can. My e-mail address is .usa. Thank you!In this sentence, e-mail is shortened from Electronic Mail.Sometimes, in Chinese, we called it “伊妹儿” according to its pronunciation.(3) Abbreviations are used widely in the name of company, institutions and organizations:AbbreviationOriginal formTranslationWTOWorld Trade Organization世界贸易组织IMFInternational Monetary Fund国际货币基金组织CTGCouncil for Trade in Goods货币贸易理事会EFTAEuropean Free Trade Association欧洲自由贸易联盟AFTAASEAN Free Trade Area东盟自由贸易区JCCTChina-US Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade中美商贸联委会NAFTANorth American Free Trade Area北美自由贸易区UNCTADUnited Nations Conference on Trade and Development联合国贸易与发展会议(4) As for the insurance, there are many example of it.AbbreviationOriginal formTranslationF.P.A.Free from Particular Average平安险W.A. / W.P.AWith Average or With Particular Average水渍险F.W.R.D.Fresh Water Rain Damage淡水雨淋险T.P.N.D.Theft, Pilferage & Non-delivery提货不着险3.2 Written Business English3.2.1 Business CorrespondenceIn written business English, abbreviations are used widely in the correspondences because of its characteristics of being time-saving and effort-saving. Business people are busy everyday receiving letters and communicating with foreigners, thus it is efficient for business people to communicate with short forms since time is money for them. Written communication in instant messages, text messages, chatting, and other forms of electronic communication appears to have generated a “new language” of abbreviations, acronyms, word combinations, and punctuation. 8 For example, there is an e-mail for foreign customers: Dear Mr. R. BastenThank you for your prompt delivery. Please find enclosed our draft for EUR04, 378.00 drawn on the Chartered Bank N.A., HK. Could you please acknowledge receipt? B/RGDS. 9Here, Mr. = mister, HK=Hong Kong, B/RGDS= best regards Another e-mail:Dear Mr. HughHave you received our remittance NO. T/T 58-06-130 for amount of USD 5,697.-being freight charges from Qingdao to Genoa for the captioned shipment. B/RGDS.9Here, NO. = number T/T= telegraphic transferUSD = United States dollars B/RGDS = best regards The following is another example in business communication and correspondences. When making a quotation or pricelist, a sales manager may add “all the price is FOB price”. Here, “FOB” means “Free on Board”, meaning that the delivery place is on the board, and the seller only needs to bear the responsibility before shipping.3.2.2 Telex and Fax Lets see examples of the application of abbreviations in the telex: (a) TKS FR SHPG ADV RE GOODS UNDR ORDR 111. PLS SEND US CHECK TO COVER OUR 3% COMM JUST AS U DID FR PREVIOUS ONES.RGDS.6105And the original text about this telex is:Gentlemen: We thank you for your shipping advice regarding the shipment of goods under our order NO.111. Please send us a check to cover our 3% commission just as you did in the past for your precious orders.6104 Best regards. Truly yours. （b）ABCCO LONDON RYC LA745 OFFERVALID TILL-15TH 200MT IN-TINS RMB1400/MT CFRC 2 LONDON SEPTEMBER The interpretation is “Referring to your cable, we make you the following offer LA745 which is valid until 15th of this month. 200 metric tons packed in tins, at RMB 1400 per metric ton, CFR London for shipment during September.1065 (c) CHINAPROCO SHANGHAI YL2 INTERESTED BEE HONEY LA745 300M/T IN-DRUMS PLS-CABLE OFFER LOWEST CFRC3 LONDON AUGUST SHIPMENT ABCCO The interpretation is: Reference is made to your letter of 2nd inst. We are interested in 300 metric tons of Honey Type No. LA745 packed in drums. Please make a lowest cable offer CFR3% London for shipment during August.1065(d) YR TLX 26TH RCVD.This is to say, your telex of 26th has been received.(e) YR 11/NOV RCVD TKS.The interpretation is “Your letter of 11th Nov. has been received, thanks.”In text messages, abbreviations are developing with an incredible speed since it is simple and fast. For example, we can use “where r(are) u(you) going”, or the simplified forms as “xx come fm(from) B.J. lets sup tog(supper together)”. 3.2.3 Currency and MeasurementAbbreviations are also popular in the currency and measurement units:US is for United States dollarsCan Y is for Canadian dollar AY is for Australia dollar 20GP is for 20 feet general purpose (20尺普柜) 40HQ is for 40 high cube container (40尺高柜)3.2.4 Insurance There are many abbreviations in insurance:AbbreviationOriginal formTranslationF.P.A.Free from Particular Average平安险W.A. / W.P.AWith Average or With Particular Average水渍险F.W.R.D.Fresh Water Rain Damage淡水雨淋险T.P.N.D.Theft, Pilferage & Non-delivery提货不着险4. Translation of Abbreviations in Business English Abbreviations are used widely in foreign trade. The translation of English abbreviation in foreign trade is difficult.11 25There are several ways to translate abbreviations properly.4.1 Addition Addition means that when we translate abbreviations we can first return abbreviations into the original forms and then translate abbreviations on the basis of the context. Most of the translation of abbreviations is in line with this method. Because of its ambiguity, abbreviations are sometimes totally different in meaning in the different context; it is precise to turn abbreviations into their original forms.For example:(1) ST: We decided to get police into our Q&A contest.1293TT: 我们决定把警察请来参加我们的问答竞赛。Here, Q&A is an abbreviation of “Question and Answer”, it can be translated into “问答”; “ST” is short for “source text” and “TT” is short for “target text”.(2) ST: Economist placed greater trust in the CPI report, contending that the surge in the whole sale index was merely a fluke.TT: 经济学家对消费者物价指数比较信任，认为批发物价指数的飙涨只是偶发现象。