Abstract

English has recently become the most popular language used among all kinds of peoples as a global symbol, and also become a status of a whole country’s taste to a certain extent. Moreover, the development level of a country has even been simply estimated by its English popularity. Nowadays, the business trade among countries has got evidently increased day by day, so it is of critical importance to get proficient at business English translation in order to build up a tremendously convenient relationship among trade partners from different countries. However, It is inevitable that mistranslations occur during the translation of Business English for the sake of limited knowledge and cultural backgrounds of different countries.      

Combining the linguistic features of Business English, this thesis will give an in-depth analysis based on a great many cases of mistranslation, by which I think is worth improving the quality of business English translation. Considering the reasons of mistranslation, we need increase our business English knowledge. Finally, I think we can avoid some mistakes in an appropriate way.

Key words: business English; mistranslation; accuracy; trade

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Linguistic Features of Business English-1

2.1 Definition-2

2.2 Linguistic Features-2

2.2.1 Professional Terms-2

2.2.2 Repeating Words-2

2.2.3 Semi-Professional Words and Borrowed Words-3

2.3 Syntactic Features-4

2.3.1 Short Sentences-4

2.3.2 Long Sentences-5

2.3.3 Passive Voice-5

3. General Review of Mistranslation Phenomenon-6

3.1 Poly-Semantic words-6

3.2 Changeable Words-7

3.3 Multiple Meanings-8

3.4 Appropriate Understanding Of Sentences-9

4. The Reasons for Mistranslation Phenomenon-10

4.1 Differences on the Beliefs of Animals-11

4.2 Differences on the Multiple Geographic Environment-11

4.3 Differences on the Distinctive Colors-12

4.4 Differences on the Psychological Characteristics-12

5. Measures-13

5.1 The Way to Solve Problems on Poly-Semantic Words-13

5.2 The Way to Solve Problems on Changeable Words-13

5.3 The Way to Solve Problems on Multiple Meanings-14

5.4 The Way to Solve Problems on Understanding of Sentences-14

6. Conclusion-15

References-16