商务英语合同的语言特征和翻译策略_英语论文

Linguistic Features and Translation Strategies of Business English Contracts

摘要

商务英语合同是一种正式的写作文体。本文主要从商务英语合同的语言特征和翻译策略两方面进行论述。文章首先对商务英语合同的词汇特征进行分析，即商务英语合同多使用正式词汇、专业术语、古体词和外来词。其次，文章对商务英语合同中的句法特征进行分析，合同中主要使用被动和主动句、长句和复合句。在此基础上，文章从奈达的功能对等翻译理论，泰勒的完整性、准确性和严谨性这翻译三原则和钱钟书的“化境”翻译理论翻译商务英语合同。从而使合同译文更加准确、严谨、规范。

关键词：商务英语合同；词汇特征；句法特征；翻译

Abstract

Business English contract is a formal writing. This paper mainly analyzes business English contracts from two aspects of linguistic features and translation strategies. Firstly, it analyzes the lexical features of business English contracts. Formal words, professional terminologies, archaic words and borrowed words are often used in business English contracts. Secondly, the paper analyzes the syntactic features of business English contracts. The statement sentences, passive and active voice sentences, long and complex sentences are used frequently. On the basis of this, the paper talks about the translation of business English contracts from the following theories, they are Nida’s functional equivalence theory; Taylor’s three principles of completeness, accuracy and rigorousness; and Qian Zhongshu’s “Perfection Model” translation theory. So that, the contracts will be more accurate, rigorous and standard.

Key words：business English contract; lexical features; syntactic features; translation

Contents

1 Introduction 1

1.1Background 1

1.2 The Significance of the Research 2

2 Literature Review 3

2.1 Definition of Business Contract 3

2.2 Translation Theories of Business English Contracts 5

2.2.1 Nida’s Theory of Functional Equivalence 5

2.2.2 Tytler’s Three Principles of Translation 6

2.2.3 Qian Zhongshu’s Theory of Translation 6

3 Linguistic Features of Business English Contracts 6

3.1 Lexical Features 7

3.1.1 Formal Words 7

3.1.2 Professional Terminologies 8

3.1.3 Archaic Words 9

3.1.4 Borrowed Words 10

3.2 Syntactic Features 10

3.2.1 Passive Voice and Active Voice Sentences 10

3.2.2 Long and Complex Sentences 11

4 Translation Strategies of Business English Contracts 12

4.1 Nida’s Theory of Functional Equivalence in Translation 12

4.2 Tytler’s Three Principles in Translation 13

4.3 Qian Zhongshu’s Theory in Translation 13

5 Conclusion 14

References 16