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

Abstract

摘要

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