The characteristics of business English and translation skillsWord格式.docx

1、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 sa

2、ve 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

3、 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）Abbrevi

4、ations 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. U

5、se 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

6、 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

7、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

8、 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 loo

9、k at a dialogue first:A: I have been reviewing the budget and a few things worry me.B: What are they? I think we need to reduce some of our debt. How do you think we should do that? We should liquidate some of our investments. B: Which ones? A: Well, I dont really understand why we own part of XYZ I

10、 have never really understand that either. We lose money each year. Then thats a potential place. I dont want to touch staff. I agree. We are under-staffed if anything. I want you to prepare a cash flow projection if we divest. Ill prepare something for you ASAP. In such a short dialogue, we can see

11、 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 Shoo

12、t 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 impr

13、ove 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 difficul

14、t 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% dis

15、count 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

16、 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 t

17、ime 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 express

18、ion.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 co

19、operation, 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 Chin

20、ese 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, goi

21、ng 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 vari

22、ous 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 straightf

23、orward 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 en

24、ables 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