Translation skills of business English in English major graduation thesis 1
Abstract: With the increasing frequency of transnational business activities such as international trade and international marketing, business English translation plays a vital role as a means of communication and media. At the same time, business English is a special kind of English, which has formed its own stylistic features. It requires proper and accurate words, good manners and clear meanings. Therefore, business English translation must have certain translation skills in order to reflect its actual effect in business communication.
Business English is English for Special Purpose (ESP) that serves the specific professional disciplines of international business activities. It involves a wide range of majors, unique language phenomenon and complex content and style. Business English translation requires translators to have rich knowledge of business theory and business practice. In order to improve the quality of translation, translators must have certain conditions.
First of all, the translator has a good knowledge of Chinese. Many people often ignore this point, thinking that Chinese is their mother tongue, and it is more than enough to deal with translation problems with their own original foundation. But in the real translation process, I have been thinking hard for a long time for a word or a sentence pattern, and I can't get a satisfactory result. Sometimes when I finally figure it out, I feel that it is not ideal. It can be seen that the ability to express and understand Chinese directly affects the quality of translation. It is very important for translation to learn Chinese well and lay a good foundation for Chinese.
Second, English language ability is strong. A comprehensive knowledge of grammar and a large vocabulary are indispensable. If you only have a large vocabulary and don't have a good knowledge of English grammar. In the process of translation, the translator's understanding must be full of mistakes. Therefore, we should improve the accuracy of understanding English sentences and expressing English in Chinese-English translation.
Third, we should have a wide range of knowledge. We should do this well in business English translation Www. 1 1665. CoM, you need to master the theoretical knowledge and practical experience of business theory and trade practice. At the same time, translators should have rich encyclopedic knowledge, not only familiar with astronomy and geography, ancient and modern China and foreign countries, but also have some basic knowledge. Without some common sense, even if the translator's language level is high, it is impossible to do a good job in translation.
First of all, the word is ambiguous.
Due to different contexts, the meaning of the same word may be very different. Try the following example:
1. They can't get credit in the transaction at all. Their business reputation is gone.
They have opened the relevant letter of credit with China Bank in London.
They have opened the relevant letter of credit with China Bank in London.
The above two sentences have different meanings of credit.
Second, the translation of parts of speech
Part of speech translation is a common translation skill in international business translation. Common examples are the translation of nouns and verbs, prepositions and verbs.
1. Mutual translation of nouns and verbs, such as:
Before paying these duties, the imported goods will be supervised by the customs.
Before paying customs duties, imported goods are kept by the customs. Due to grammatical restrictions, only nouns are used, but when translated into Chinese, do you pay? Translation? Turn it in )
2. Translation between prepositions and verbs
On many occasions, the translation of prepositions into verbs needs to be extended according to the context and translated concretely. For example:
We suggest that you contact them about your needs.
I suggest you contact them to buy the goods you need.
Third, meaning extension.
In business English translation, it is sometimes difficult to find the proper contextual meaning of some words in the dictionary, such as copying mechanically, the translation is often vague and even leads to misunderstanding. In this case, it is necessary to further extend the word from its inherent basic meaning according to the context and logical relationship. For example:
The arrival is not in conformity with the sample.
If the meaning of the word arrival is directly put into the translation, it is obviously impossible to correctly express the meaning of the original text and needs further extension.
Fourth, the number of words increases or decreases.
In the practice of business English translation, the addition and subtraction of words is also an important translation skill. In the process of translation, according to the contextual meaning and logical relationship of the original text, as well as the syntactic characteristics and expression habits of the target language, sometimes words that are not in the original text but are included in the actual content are added or words that are not needed for the expression of the target language are subtracted.
1. Add
According to the specific context, verbs, adjectives, nouns or other parts of speech can be added, but when to add the right words without exceeding a certain limit needs to be practiced and accumulated in the long-term translation process. For example, all cash dividends are subject to income tax. All cash dividends are subject to income tax. (Add verbs according to Chinese writing habits)
Reduce words
Subtraction translation can make the translation concise and change the phenomenon that word-for-word translation is tedious, procrastinating, inconsistent with writing habits and even ambiguous. If you sign this receipt, I will pay.
You sign the receipt and I'll pay.
Verb (abbreviation of verb) Translation of Common Terms in Business English
Business English translation contains a large number of words, so the accurate use of common words is very important in translation. As a business English translator, we should master a lot of common words, compounds and abbreviations with business meanings.
For example, fob, cif and other terms commonly used in prices, CIF has its specific professional content, such as c.w.o order payment; Bill of lading; Letter of credit; Cash on delivery; W. p. a. insurance; Blue chip blue chip and blue chip; Bad debts and so on. In a word, business English translation can't stick to form. On the premise of ensuring the maximum transmission of the original information to the target language, the translator can use the target language flexibly, and achieve the maximum equivalence of semantic information, stylistic information and style information. Business English translation should follow business terminology. Therefore, business English translators need to master a lot of professional vocabulary and translation skills.
References:
[1] Ge Ping. Foreign trade English correspondence [m]. Shanghai University of Finance and Economics Press, 2004.
[2] Yu Fulin et al. Business English translation [m]. Beijing: China Commercial Press, 2003.
[3] Ping Li: International Business English Course [m]. China International Broadcasting Press, 1999.
[4] Wang Xuewen: New Course of Economic and Trade Interpretation [m]. China Foreign Economic and Trade Press, 200 1.
[5] Chen Sudong Chen Jianping: Business English Translation [m]. Higher Education Press, 2005.
[6] Wang Zhikui: College English-Chinese Translation Course [m]. Shandong University Press, 2004.
[7] Zeng Huilan: Practical English for Import and Export [m]. foreign languages press, 2003
[8] Feng Qinghua: Practical Translation Course [m]. Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2003
The Principle of Clarity in Business English Letters
Writing advanced business English letters usually follows seven principles, among which the principle of clarity is one of the most basic principles. However, there are few applied researches based on the principle of clarity in China. This paper discusses the application of the principle of clarity from two aspects: words and sentences. The article holds that business English correspondence should use simple words as much as possible, and pay attention to pronoun reference; Sentence expression needs focus and some coherence.
Business English correspondence is an important communication tool in international trade. Writing advanced business English letters usually follows seven principles, among which the principle of clarity is one of the most basic principles. Among the existing research results of business English correspondence, the applied research based on the principle of clarity is rare. Therefore, the author intends to explore the application of clarity principle in business English correspondence, so as to help international business people improve their business English correspondence writing level.
First, clear the principles of business English correspondence
The principle of clarity includes three aspects: (1) A sentence contains a meaning; (2) There should be a logical relationship between sentences; (3) Expressed in a simple and direct way. Clear expression can avoid misunderstanding and even trade disputes. For example,? The fluctuation of exchange rate will be borne by the buyer after the contract is signed? Count. ? [ 1] ? Exchange rate fluctuations? Including the rise and fall of exchange rate. If it is not clearly expressed, buyers and sellers will have disputes over exchange rate fluctuations. Www. 1 1665。 In order to avoid unnecessary economic disputes, clear principles are always implemented in the process of writing business English correspondence. If you want to express the above example? Exchange rate fluctuations after the contract comes into effect shall be borne by the buyer? The original sentence can be changed to? Any fluctuation of the exchange rate after the signing of the contract will be borne by the buyer? The account. ?
Second, the application of the principle of clarity.
The use of the word (1)
1) is accurate.
When you know what you think, you should pay attention to choosing clear and simple words to accurately express the information you want to convey. Avoid using some complicated and abstruse words. Some authors think that complicated and abstruse words will make letters look more hierarchical and important. However, complex vocabulary will make it more difficult for the other party to read the letter, and even cause misunderstanding in understanding. Generally speaking, the writing of business English correspondence is suitable for using simple and easy-to-understand vocabulary.
2) pronoun reference
Pay attention to the logical relationship between the object referred to by pronouns and relative pronouns. Generally speaking, pronouns and relative pronouns are used to modify the nearest nouns, and they are consistent with the nouns they refer to in person and quantity. However, improper use of pronouns will cause ambiguity in expression. They informed Mr. Smith and Mr. Richardson that they would receive a reply in a few days. [1] In this sentence, the second one? They? Who are you referring to? Is the subject of the whole sentence. They? Or? Mr Smith and Mr Richardson? And then what? There is ambiguity here. How to express it clearly? Like the original expression? Mr Smith and Mr Richardson will get an answer in the near future? The original sentence can be changed to:? They informed Mr Smith and Mr Richardson that the latter would receive an answer in a few days. ? In that case,? The latter? Reference? Mr Smith and Mr Richardson? The reference is clear and the meaning of the sentence is clear.
3) the position of the modifier
The meaning and emphasis of the same modifier will be completely different in different positions in the sentence. Compare the following two sentences: ① We can provide100t of this project; ② We can only supply100t of this product. The first sentence? Only? Decoration? Articles? It means that only this kind of project is provided, and there are no other projects. What about the second sentence? Only? Is it embellishment? 100 ton? Only100t, that's all. Therefore, the position of modifiers in sentences is different, so the modified words will be different and have different meanings. We must pay attention to this when writing business English letters.
In addition, the position of the modifier should be immediately after or near the word it modifies. Compare the following two sentences: ① They bought a bicycle in a small shop in Beijing, which was worth 25 dollars; They bought a bicycle for 25 dollars in a small shop in Beijing. $25.00? Is it embellishment? Bicycle? The price of this bicycle should be close to its modifier? Bicycle? . The first sentence? The price is 25 dollars. Should move to. Bicycle? In the back. In the second sentence, instead of attributive clauses, use prepositions directly? For what? How much does it cost to take the bike out? $25.00? The modifier is properly placed and the whole sentence is concise and clear.
(2) the logical structure of the sentence
The logical subject of the participle should be consistent with the subject of the sentence. [4] Try to analyze the following sentences: As an expert in international trade, I? I believe you have experience in solving this kind of problem. ? What is the subject of this sentence? Me? What is the logical subject of participle? What about you? . In order to make the logical subject of the participle consistent with the subject of the sentence, the original sentence can be changed to:? As an expert in international trade, you must have experience in solving such problems. ? Or? Because you are an expert in international trade, I don't know what to do. I believe you have experience in solving this kind of problem. ? .
Secondly, pay attention to the coherence of meaning between sentences. They wrote a letter. It's addressed to Mr. Woods. He is the sales manager. These three short sentences lack coherence in meaning, and each sentence has its own independent meaning. It is difficult for readers to distinguish which sentence is the most important information. The above sentence can be changed to:? They wrote a letter to Mr. Woods, the sales manager. ? The meaning of the rewritten sentence is clear:? They wrote a letter to Mr. Woods, the sales manager. ?
In addition, clear expression needs to be focused, and readers will not miss important information. When we write business English letters, we can adjust the sentence structure and highlight the parts to be emphasized. For example:? We airmailed you five samples of the goods requested in your letter of May 25th yesterday. ? This sentence contains a lot of information, including ① what we sent you, ② five samples, ③ yesterday, ④ the goods you requested in your letter of May 25th, and ⑤ air transportation. A sentence contains many kinds of information, and it is easy for readers to ignore some of them. In this regard, important information should be placed in front of sentences and emphasized through sentence structure. The important information of the above sentence is ① we sent it to you, ② 5 samples, ③ air freight. The original sentence can be rewritten as:? We have airmailed samples of the five commodities requested in your letter of May 25th yesterday. ? After rewriting, the key points of the sentence are prominent, and the meaning of the sentence is becoming clearer and clearer.
Finally, the concise plot in the sentence is conducive to clear expression. Like what? We have received your cheque for $500 on October 7, 2007/KLOC-0, and thank you. ? Is the original sentence an expression? Thank you for your cheque for $500 on June 65438, 2007. Thank you? Used in the original sentence? I hope to thank you at this time? Long words obscure the meaning of the whole sentence. If this plot is reduced to? Thank you? Change the original sentence to? Thank you for your cheque for $500 dated 10/7, 2007. ? The meaning of the revised sentence is clearer and easier to understand.
Three. Concluding remarks
This paper discusses the application of clarity principle in business English correspondence writing from two aspects: words and sentences, and draws the following main conclusions: (1) Try to use simple words and pay attention to pronoun reference; (2) Sentence expression should be focused and coherent.
References:
Hu Jianming. Business English writing [m]. Guangzhou: South China University of Technology Press, 200 1.4.
[2] Su Kai. Practical business English writing [m]. Beijing beijing University of Technology Press 2003: 63.
[3] Wang Xiaoying. Business English Writing Course [m]. Nanjing: Southeast University Press, 200 1.4.
[4] Liao Ying. Practical Foreign Trade English Correspondence (Second Edition) [m]. Wuhan: Huazhong University of Science and Technology Press, 2003: 8.
Writing advanced business English letters usually follows seven principles, among which the principle of clarity is one of the most basic principles. However, there are few applied researches based on the principle of clarity in China. This paper discusses the application of the principle of clarity from two aspects: words and sentences. The article holds that business English correspondence should use simple words as much as possible, and pay attention to pronoun reference; Sentence expression needs focus and some coherence.
Business English correspondence is an important communication tool in international trade. Writing advanced business English letters usually follows seven principles, among which the principle of clarity is one of the most basic principles. Among the existing research results of business English correspondence, the applied research based on the principle of clarity is rare. Therefore, the author intends to explore the application of clarity principle in business English correspondence, so as to help international business people improve their business English correspondence writing level.
First, clear the principles of business English correspondence
The principle of clarity includes three aspects: (1) A sentence contains a meaning; (2) There should be a logical relationship between sentences; (3) Expressed in a simple and direct way. Clear expression can avoid misunderstanding and even trade disputes. For example,? The fluctuation of exchange rate will be borne by the buyer after the contract is signed? Count. ? [ 1] ? Exchange rate fluctuations? Including the rise and fall of exchange rate. If it is not clearly expressed, buyers and sellers will have disputes over exchange rate fluctuations. Www. 1 1665。 In order to avoid unnecessary economic disputes, clear principles are always implemented in the process of writing business English correspondence. If you want to express the above example? Exchange rate fluctuations after the contract comes into effect shall be borne by the buyer? The original sentence can be changed to? Any fluctuation of the exchange rate after the signing of the contract will be borne by the buyer? The account. ?
Second, the application of the principle of clarity.
The use of the word (1)
1) is accurate.
When you know what you think, you should pay attention to choosing clear and simple words to accurately express the information you want to convey. Avoid using some complicated and abstruse words. Some authors think that complicated and abstruse words will make letters look more hierarchical and important. However, complex vocabulary will make it more difficult for the other party to read the letter, and even cause misunderstanding in understanding. Generally speaking, the writing of business English correspondence is suitable for using simple and easy-to-understand vocabulary.
2) pronoun reference
Pay attention to the logical relationship between the object referred to by pronouns and relative pronouns. Generally speaking, pronouns and relative pronouns are used to modify the nearest nouns, and they are consistent with the nouns they refer to in person and quantity. However, improper use of pronouns will cause ambiguity in expression. They informed Mr. Smith and Mr. Richardson that they would receive a reply in a few days. [1] In this sentence, the second one? They? Who are you referring to? Is the subject of the whole sentence. They? Or? Mr Smith and Mr Richardson? And then what? There is ambiguity here. How to express it clearly? Like the original expression? Mr Smith and Mr Richardson will get an answer in the near future? The original sentence can be changed to:? They informed Mr Smith and Mr Richardson that the latter would receive an answer in a few days. ? In that case,? The latter? Reference? Mr Smith and Mr Richardson? The reference is clear and the meaning of the sentence is clear.
3) the position of the modifier
The meaning and emphasis of the same modifier will be completely different in different positions in the sentence. Compare the following two sentences: ① We can provide100t of this project; ② We can only supply100t of this product. The first sentence? Only? Decoration? Articles? It means that only this kind of project is provided, and there are no other projects. What about the second sentence? Only? Is it embellishment? 100 ton? Only100t, that's all. Therefore, the position of modifiers in sentences is different, so the modified words will be different and have different meanings. We must pay attention to this when writing business English letters.
In addition, the position of the modifier should be immediately after or near the word it modifies. Compare the following two sentences: ① They bought a bicycle in a small shop in Beijing, which was worth 25 dollars; They bought a bicycle for 25 dollars in a small shop in Beijing. $25.00? Is it embellishment? Bicycle? The price of this bicycle should be close to its modifier? Bicycle? . The first sentence? The price is 25 dollars. Should move to. Bicycle? In the back. In the second sentence, instead of attributive clauses, use prepositions directly? For what? How much does it cost to take the bike out? $25.00? The modifier is properly placed and the whole sentence is concise and clear.
(2) the logical structure of the sentence
The logical subject of the participle should be consistent with the subject of the sentence. [4] Try to analyze the following sentences: As an expert in international trade, I? I believe you have experience in solving this kind of problem. ? What is the subject of this sentence? Me? What is the logical subject of participle? What about you? . In order to make the logical subject of the participle consistent with the subject of the sentence, the original sentence can be changed to:? As an expert in international trade, you must have experience in solving such problems. ? Or? Because you are an expert in international trade, I don't know what to do. I believe you have experience in solving this kind of problem. ? .
Secondly, pay attention to the coherence of meaning between sentences. They wrote a letter. It's addressed to Mr. Woods. He is the sales manager. These three short sentences lack coherence in meaning, and each sentence has its own independent meaning. It is difficult for readers to distinguish which sentence is the most important information. The above sentence can be changed to:? They wrote a letter to Mr. Woods, the sales manager. ? The meaning of the rewritten sentence is clear:? They wrote a letter to Mr. Woods, the sales manager. ?
In addition, clear expression needs to be focused, and readers will not miss important information. When we write business English letters, we can adjust the sentence structure and highlight the parts to be emphasized. For example:? We airmailed you five samples of the goods requested in your letter of May 25th yesterday. ? This sentence contains a lot of information, including ① what we sent you, ② five samples, ③ yesterday, ④ the goods you requested in your letter of May 25th, and ⑤ air transportation. A sentence contains many kinds of information, and it is easy for readers to ignore some of them. In this regard, important information should be placed in front of sentences and emphasized through sentence structure. The important information of the above sentence is ① we sent it to you, ② 5 samples, ③ air freight. The original sentence can be rewritten as:? We have airmailed samples of the five commodities requested in your letter of May 25th yesterday. ? After rewriting, the key points of the sentence are prominent, and the meaning of the sentence is becoming clearer and clearer.
Finally, the concise plot in the sentence is conducive to clear expression. Like what? We have received your cheque for $500 on October 7, 2007/KLOC-0, and thank you. ? Is the original sentence an expression? Thank you for your cheque for $500 on June 65438, 2007. Thank you? Used in the original sentence? I hope to thank you at this time? Long words obscure the meaning of the whole sentence. If this plot is reduced to? Thank you? Change the original sentence to? Thank you for your cheque for $500 dated 10/7, 2007. ? The meaning of the revised sentence is clearer and easier to understand.
Three. Concluding remarks
This paper discusses the application of clarity principle in business English correspondence writing from two aspects: words and sentences, and draws the following main conclusions: (1) Try to use simple words and pay attention to pronoun reference; (2) Sentence expression should be focused and coherent.
References:
Hu Jianming. Business English writing [m]. Guangzhou: South China University of Technology Press, 200 1.4.
[2] Su Kai. Practical business English writing [m]. Beijing beijing University of Technology Press 2003: 63.
[3] Wang Xiaoying. Business English Writing Course [m]. Nanjing: Southeast University Press, 200 1.4.
[4] Liao Ying. Practical Foreign Trade English Correspondence (Second Edition) [m]. Wuhan: Huazhong University of Science and Technology Press, 2003: 8.
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