Many people think that business English is more difficult than ordinary English, even more difficult than CET-4 or CET-6. Is this really the case? Business English is a branch of English for specific purposes and is used in English occasions. The difference from ordinary English is that because there are more professional terms in business English, it is aimed at adapting to the language requirements of workplace life and involves all aspects of business activities. Let’s see how it differs from ordinary English with Hujiang editor.
Business English is based on a deep English foundation
The differences between ordinary English and business English in communication, language form, vocabulary and content, sentence structure, and statements. Business English is based on a profound English, and then emphasizes business.
The English learning of most Chinese people is divided into the “recitation stage” and the “habitual stage”. At present, most learners are in the recitation stage and have not yet reached the habitual stage. They cannot achieve “habitual rather than recitational use of English to communicate “.
The “habit” mentioned here does not mean how much vocabulary you have, but whether you can blurt it out. After having such a “habit”, you can use professional business language for business work through the study of business English.
Differences in language, etc.
Differences in language form, vocabulary and content, sentence structure, statement
Business English is derived from ordinary English, and based on it, it has the linguistic characteristics of ordinary English, but at the same time it is a synthesis of business knowledge and ordinary English, so it has its inherent uniqueness, mainly focusing on the following aspects :
(1) The language form, vocabulary, and content of business English are closely related to professional knowledge, and it carries information on business theory and business practice. In fact, it is essentially different from the spoken and written English we understand. The main difference lies in some vocabulary, based on different vocabulary, mainly nouns.
(2) Business English is clear and easy to understand, formal and standard, short and expressive, and the language is plain. The wording is guaranteed to be understood by the general public, but not too colloquial, that is, the language used in business English cannot be too informal.
Some business documents (such as contracts) have a standard, binding and other official document nature, so some very formal words are used, such as using prior to or previous to instead of before; using supplement instead of add to, etc.
(3) Business English sentence structure is more complicated, the sentence structure is standardized, and the style is formal, especially in the bidding documents, investment documents and contracts.
(4) Politeness is a very important language feature in practical international business English, especially international business letters.
Different translation standards
The translation standards of general English and business English are also different
Business English translation is much more complicated than ordinary English translation, because in addition to being proficient in two languages, cultures and translation skills, translators must also be familiar with business knowledge and understand the characteristics and expressions of languages in various fields of business. Some translation standards and principles cannot be fully adapted to the translation of business English.
We can take the “faithfulness, expressiveness, and elegance” proposed by Yan Fu as the basis and follow the “faithful, accurate, and unified” business translation standards proposed by Mr. Liu Fagong as the practical business English translation standards. Authenticity and unity (faithfulness, idiomaticness, consistency)”.
difference in letters
There are also certain differences between ordinary English and business English letters: there are many conventions to follow in business English writing, and there are different processing methods according to various types of documents and letters. If you master the rules, it will be easier to deal with letters Up.
Use honorifics in English letters. The most common honorifics are mr, mrs and miss (for unmarried women). British people often use esq. (abbreviation of esquire) after a male name, but in business they are slowly switching to mr. mmes. (plural form of madam) for more than two ladies. messrs (plural form of mr) is used for more than two men, or for companies or groups composed of more than two men. In British English letters, mr, mrs, and messrs do not include abbreviations.
Commercial English letters are generally required to be printed neatly with a typewriter or computer. The lines on the left start vertical, called vertical or block style. This format is commonly used in the United States; the first word of each paragraph is indented, Called indented style or indented style, this format is commonly used in the UK. The vertical position and signature are on the left sidebar boundary. This format has been widely adopted in American companies that highly respect work efficiency.
There are still some differences between business English and ordinary English in many aspects. General English is extensive, business English is pertinent, and is widely used in the business field. Business English is derived from general English and based on it. It has the language characteristics of general English, but at the same time it is business knowledge and general knowledge Complex.
