Business Contracts Translation

XCLW37090  Business Contracts Translation  (字数：2654)

Abstract

Business Documents in English version, especially contract, agreement, memorandum, play an important role in international economic activities and trades. Since China's entrance into the WTO, there are more and more business activities and cooperation between China and overseas countries all over the world, and more and more business documents need to be translated into English. Today we will talk about the features of business contract and what we should pay more attention to when we are translating a Chinese business contract into an English one. A business contract is of legality. It states in a clear way rights and responsibilities of all parties to the contract. A business contract features professionalism. It is written down with lots of professional words, phrases and sentences. A business contract must be accurate. The rights and responsibilities shall be stated clearly and accurately.  

This paper makes an analysis of vocabulary features of business English contracts, archaic words and synonymous words frequently used in business English contracts, the function of modal verbs used in business English contracts, syntactical structure including long sentences and passive voice sentences. This paper also introduces in a brief way translation theory and translator requirements.

Keywords　Business Contract; Translation; Legality; Professionalism; Accuracy; 

Contents

Abstract I

Contents I

Introduction 1

1.The Vocabulary Features of Business Contracts 2

1.1Full of Formal Words 2

1.1.1 Formal Verbs 2

1.2 Formal Phrases 2

1.2.1.Accurate Use od Formal Phrases 2

2.Archaic Words 3

2.1Here + Preposition 3

2.1.1Here + Preposition Equals Preposition + This 3

2.2 There + Preposition 3

3.Synonymous Words 4

3.1Why to Use Synonymous Words 4

3.1.1Precise and Accurate Expression 4

3.2How to Translate Synonymous Words 4

3.2.1In Accordance with Chinese Conventions 4

4.Modal Verbs 5

4.1Business English Contracts Tend to Use the Modal Verb "May" 5

4.1.1Funciton of the Modal Verb "May" 5

4.2Business English Contracts Tend to Use the Modal Verb "Shall" 5

4.2.1Function of the Modal Verb "Shall" 5

5.Passive Voice 6

5.1Use Passive Voice Sentences to Show Politeness 6

5.1.1Politeness 6

5.2Use Passive Voice Sentences to Balance Sentence Structue 6

5.2.1Balance of Sentence Structure 6

6 Syntactical Features. 7

6.1The Use of Long Sentences 7

6.1.1 Long Sentences 7

6.2 The Use of Conventional Sentences 7

6.2.1Conventional Sentences 7

7.Translation Theory 8

7.1Translation Principles 8

7.2Requirements of Translators 8

8 .Conclusion 9

8.1.1 Stylistic Features of Business English Contracts and Translation Theory and Requirements 9

References 10