简明英语运动下的商务法律文献简明化_英语论文

Study on Simplifying Business Law Documents under the Guidance of Plain English Movement

摘要

为了加深对商务法律英语简明化的理解，探寻合适的简明化方法，本文首先对简明英语的基本原则进行了具体阐释，进而就如何进行商务法律英语简明化这一问题提出初步建议，从词汇层面来看，应慎用专业术语和外来词汇，尽量使用较为通俗易懂的现代英文词汇，具体词汇和肯定词，避免古体词，模糊词汇和否定词。从句法层面考虑，应使用简单的短句和主动语态，少用复杂的长句和被动语态。希望本研究可以为商务领域的英语学习者及外贸工作者提供一定的帮助。

关键词:法律英语  简明化  词法  句法

Abstract

In order to help deepen English learners’ understanding of simplifying business legal English and explore the appropriate methods of simplifying, this thesis first illustrates the basic principles of plain English, and then puts forward some preliminary suggestions on how to simplify business legal English. From the lexical aspect, legal terminologies and foreign words should be used with caution. Besides, it is better to use modern, specific, and positive English words, instead of archaic, general and negative ones respectively. From the syntactic aspect, simple sentences and active voice are more acceptable, and complex sentences and passive voice should be avoided as far as possible. The study on simplifying business law documents is expected to be helpful for business English learners and international traders.

Keywords: Legal English  Simplification  Lexical  Syntactic

Contents

Introduction 1

ChapterⅠ Plain English 3

1.1 Basic Principles of Plain English 3

1.2 Criticism and Defense of Plain English 6

ChapterⅡ Applying Plain Business Legal English from Lexical Aspect 9

2.1 Concerning the Use of Legal Terminology 9

2.2 Concerning the Use of Foreign Words 13

2.3 Using Modern English Words instead of Archaic Words 14

2.4 Using Specific Words instead of General Words 15

2.5 Using Positive Words instead of Negative Words 17

Chapter Ⅲ Applying Plain Business Legal English from Syntactic Aspect 19

3.1 Using Simple Sentences rather than Complex Sentences 19

3.2 Using Active Voice rather than Passive Voice 20

Conclusion 22

References 24

Acknowledgments 25