Abstract:Since America’s independence, China and America whose relation generally tends toward amity and reciprocity have had both conflicts and cooperation. All the diplomatic documents they signed have witnessed the process of their contacting. Studying diplomatic documents including treaty, agreement, contract, statement and bulletin, not only helps explore the two nations’ history and diplomacy but contributes to the meaningful study of diplomatic translation.

The thesis is intended to discuss the features of translated diplomatic texts and their diachronic variation by analyzing, from perspectives of lexicon, grammar and discourse, three typical diplomatic documents signed respectively during the Qing Dynasty, Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China- Treaty of Wang-hea, Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the United States and the Republic of China, and Agreement on Trade Relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China.

Key Words: Sino-US Diplomatic Documents; Diachrony; Translation Features and Comparison

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1.Introduction. 1

2.Translated Text Analysis: Features and Comparison. 2

2.1Lexicon 2

2.1.1Archaism. 2

2.1.2Modal Verb 6

2.1.3Proper Noun 7

2.1.4Foreign Word: Latin & French 7

2.2Grammar. 9

2.2.1Uncommon Phrase 9

2.2.2Uncommon Conditional Sentence 10

2.3Discourse. 12

2.3.1Reiteration: Repetition. 13

2.3.2Euphemistic Expression. 13

3.Conclusion. 14

Bibliography 16

Acknowledgements 18

致谢. 18