从功能对等理论看商务英语信函翻译_英语论文

The Translation of Business Correspondence from the Perspective of Functional Equivalence

摘要

随着经济全球化及商贸活动的日益频繁，商务英语的作用也越来越突出，所以商务英语信函也越来越重要因为其特殊的交流功能，从而对商务英语信函翻译的研究也越来越多。商务英语是一种特定的英语语言，商务英语信函更是具有实用性，因此用传统的理论指导其翻译存在一定的弊端，我们有必要对商务英语信函翻译进行更为深入和系统的研究。奈达的功能对等理论认为不同语言虽然表达习惯不同，但它们具有彼此相同或相似的功能。该理论强调在进行商务英语信函翻译时原语与译语的信息对等。功能对等理论对商务英语新翻译的实用性，复杂性和多向性的需求起到了基础性、决定性的作用。因此，了解功能对等理论对商务英语信函的运用及指导具有非常重要的意义。

关键词：商务英语信函，翻译，功能对等理论

Abstract

With the development of economic globalization and the increasing commercial activities, business English becomes more and more prominent. Business English correspondence is of great importance for its communicative function. So the study on the business English correspondence translation is also increasing. Business English is a special linguistic phenomenon in English. Business English is very practical. Therefore the translation with the guidance of traditional theories has some drawbacks. It is necessary for us to do more deep and systematic research on the business English correspondence translation. Nida’s functional equivalence says that different languages have different expression habits, but they have the same or similar functions. It emphasizes that the information between source language and target language should be equivalent. Functional equivalence theory plays a basic and decisive role in complex and multiple need of business English correspondence translation. Therefore, it’s important to learn the application and guidance of functional equivalence in business English translation.

Key words: Business correspondence, translation, functional equivalence 

Contents

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Background 1

1.2 Significance of the Study 1

1.3 Overall structure of the study 2

2 Literature review 2

2.1 Equivalence in Previous Translation Studies 2

2.1.1 Wilss’ Definition of Equivalence 2

2.1.2 Newmark’s Dichotomy 3

2.2 Nida’s Functional Equivalence 3

3 A Survey of Business English Correspondence 4

3.1Lexical Characteristics 4

3.1. 1 Word Accuracy 4

3.1.2 The Use of Business Terms 4

3.1.3 Extensive Use of Semi-professional Business English Vocabulary 5

3.1.4 The Use of Archaisms 5

3.2 Sentence Characteristic 5

3.3 Text Characteristic 6

4 A Brief Introduction to Functional Equivalence Theory 7

4. 1 Lexical Equivalence 7

4.2 Sentence Equivalence 8

4. 3 Passage Equivalence 8

4.4 Style Equivalence 9

5 The Application of Functional Equivalence Theory in Business Correspondence Translation 9

5.1 The Principles of Business Correspondence Translation Guided by Functional Equivalence Theory 9

5.1.1Fidelity 9

5.1.2 Smoothness 11

5.1.3 Politeness 11

5.2 Common Methods of Translation 12

5.2.1 Foreignizing Translation 12

5.2.2 Domesticating Translation 13

5.2.3 Structure-borrowing Translation 13

6 Conclusion 14