To receive business English training, we need to keep our eyes open and find the right direction. Business English is suitable for our international business activities. It involves a wide range of professional knowledge. Translation requires us to have a wealth of business theory and business practical knowledge. In order to improve the quality of translation, today we mainly learn business English translation skills. The main direction is the characteristics of style and style. Language Features.
Stylistic Features of Business English
1. The thinking is logical and unpretentious
Formal English has complex clauses, and the sentence length is usually longer than informal English.
The frequent use of long sentence participles and independent nominative structure are typical characteristics of written style. They are suitable for expressing multi-level and complex logical relationships, and can fully express interrelated meanings. This effect cannot be achieved by short sentences.
Because business correspondence often expresses that certain terms are mutually valid, mutually conditional, or describe a series of causal events, this style of language is very suitable for this requirement. E.g:
The work hereof shall be commenced in compliance with the construction work of Party A’s plant, and shall be completed within thirty days after the complete ion of Party A’s plant including the completion of inner part of the plant when the plant be in the condition that trial run for air conditioning mechanism is possible.
This is a sentence in the style of an English contract. This poem is a parallel sentence, in which the subject is work, and connects two predicates (shall be commenced and shall be completed)
2. The expression is simple and clear
Business English is a tool for business activities. Through reading the literature, you can find: Business English often uses concise, understandable, standardized, and formal words.
This feature is determined by the nature of international business communication, because international business communication is very effective and efficient, and the use of commonly used words is easy for both parties to understand and accept the transaction; there are few modifiers and the content is straightforward.
Unpopular vocabulary may increase communication barriers between the two parties and is therefore unpopular.
The choice of business English vocabulary is refined and rigorous, and seldom uses colloquial, informal, uncommon, irregular words or jargon.
Understanding the difference in style between spoken words and scroll words can help to achieve the appropriateness and appropriateness of language communication.
3. Vague syntax, good use of imperative sentences
Business English requires accuracy, completeness, clarity and conciseness, but proper use of vague language can have a positive effect.
The ambiguity of language is not only reflected in the meaning of words, but also the ambiguity of the meaning expressed in the syntax of specific business activities.
Using vague syntax does not mean lack of language ability. On the contrary, it is an essential part of language communication.
In order to improve the objective accuracy of business English, it is necessary to avoid expressing uncertain facts or data clearly and completely; similarly, due to the diplomatic strategy of business negotiations, certain views should not be too specific and clear.
Appropriate use of some vague expressions on certain occasions has a very positive significance for adjusting the tension between the trade parties, alleviating the embarrassing situation, and protecting themselves.
Since the two parties involved in the correspondence are trading partners, their status is equal.
Therefore, if one party wants the other party to take a certain action, he generally does not use imperative sentence patterns, but uses declarative sentences to express his wishes. Whether the other party takes such actions is left to the other party’s decision.
This kind of language is very extensive in business correspondence. The following example sentences all function as imperative sentences in ordinary styles, but their tone is very euphemistic and can achieve the effect of politeness. E.g:
It would be appreciated if you could send us your shipping instructions.
Your confirmation on this point would be appreciated.
In written communication, it is important to pay attention to politeness.
In order to embody the principle of politeness, communicators often adopt the position of the other party to show respect and understanding of the other party, so that the other party can easily accept their own opinions.
Therefore, the second-person (you) or second-person possessive pronouns (your+ n) are often used as the subject in foreign trade letters, and the first person (I, we) is used less as the subject, or the subject is often used, and the first person (I, we) act as the subject.
Language Features of Business English
1. Good at using professional terminology
This is mainly because Business English involves strong theories and objects in trade, business, marketing and finance, and the language professionalism presented is also strong.
For some familiar abbreviations of business English vocabulary that are frequently used, such as: bill of lading-B/L, the World Bank-WB, World Trade Organization-WTO, etc. Etc.; some are common terms such as economic policy, holding company holding company, devaluation (currency), etc.; some are terms that are constantly increasing in the development of business and trade, consolidated debt, TPL (third party Logistics), cyber-payment (electronic payment), these new words enrich the content of business English.
2. Rigorous content and complex structure
Use words accurately and rigorously. The meaning of words is closely related to the context in which they are used, and is closely related to the culture of existence.
Different contexts have different meanings of words. In the process of translation, the translator must choose words accurately, express the concept accurately, and the number and unit must be accurate’, faithfully and accurately express the information in the source language in the target language, so that the information obtained by the original reader and the target reader can be obtained The information connotation of is equal.
In order to achieve the effect of euphemistic expression in business English, “passive sentences are often used”, which is very different from Chinese expression. “Therefore, when English passive sentences are translated into Chinese, there is no ready-made corresponding expression method” and it needs to be based on Chinese idiomatic usage” Choose some appropriate means from the rich sentence patterns and auxiliary words to show the passive meaning of the original text.
3. Explore a wide range and be practical
The language form, vocabulary, and content of Business English are closely related to professional knowledge. It carries information on business theory and business practice. The precise use of professional vocabulary is the biggest feature of business language in the use of vocabulary. Business English translation Common Skills Common Skills in Business English Translation.
For example: sole license (exclusive license) and exclusive license (exclusive license), both have precise meanings and cannot be used interchangeably.
The former means that in the license transaction, the technology transferee has the exclusive right to the technology under the license in the area under the agreement during the validity period of the agreement, and is not allowed to grant third parties, and only allows the technology to be used and sold in the specified area. The license of the product; and the latter said that the licensor shall no longer subject the license agreement of the same content to any third party in the region, and even the licensor shall not use the technology in the region (Hu Gengshen, 2001: 154).
Another example: anti-dumping measures (anti-dumping measures), quota-free products (non-quota production) investment in non-productive projects (non-productive investment), clearance sale (clearance sale), closed cargo (listed in the list of fixed freight Goods) and so on.
Don’t think that you are far away from the financial and business industries. Our lives are full of challenges and fun. Who knows what will happen tomorrow or the next? Learning business English is not only a task for business students, but also not only The needs of foreign trade workers are also the direction for ordinary people to improve themselves. The editor of Hujiang suggests that everyone dabble in and expand the breadth of knowledge.
