1、 Contents摘要1Abstract.11. Introduction.22. Characteristics of Long Sentences in English Business Contract 32.1 Definition and Classification of Long Sentence.42.2 Characteristics of Simple Long Sentence in Business Contract53.3 Characteristics of Compound Long Sentence in Business Contract.63.4 Chara

2、cteristics of Coordinate Long Sentences in Business Contract.73. The Translation Strategies of Long Sentences in Business contract.83.1 Translation Theories.93.2 Business English Translation Principles103.3 Strategies of Translating Long Sentence.114. Conclusion.11i摘要隨著全球經濟一體化的不斷推進，尤其是在我國正式加入WTO 之后，

3、我國對外經濟貿易日益頻繁，取得了快速發展。大量涉與法律方面的外文合同、文書日益增多，需要這方面相應的翻譯人才。英語商務合同依法訂立，就成為一種法律文件對締約雙方具有法律約束力，它是國際商務活動中解決爭議的法律依據。英語商務合同的特點為周密嚴謹、句式較長，因此英語商務合同的翻譯對譯者提出較高的要求。本文通過例句說明、分析商務合同長句特點提出相應的翻譯策略。關鍵詞：商務合同；翻譯策略；長句特點AbstractWith the advancement of global economic integration, especially after Chinas accession to the WT

4、O, foreign economic relations and trade have been increasing rapidly. Due to a lot of foreign contracts relating to law and legal instrument spring up between our country and foreigners, international business translation has certainly become a significant task for translation researchers. Since bus

5、iness contract has been legally formatted, it will be regarded as a kind of legal documents which have binding force for contract parties and also be regarded as legal basis to settle disputes in the international business activities. The characteristics of English business contract are so precise a

6、nd complex that translation of English business contract proposes higher demand for translators. This article aims at analyzing and explaining the characteristics of long sentences by example to find various translation strategies.Key Words：business contract; translation strategies; characteristics

7、of long sentences OnTranslation StrategiesOf Long Sentences English Business ContractsLi qinyiSchool of Foreign Languages 4011201. Introduction Along with the high speed of the Reform and Opening-up, China has been deeply joining in the club of the world, that is to say, full-scale communications ar

8、e arising with the outside world, in Chinas every field such as education, economy, trade and science. At the same time, more and more Chinese tend to sign contracts with foreigners. High quality contracts are of vital importance to the success of business. However, due to the differences in languag

9、e, culture and legal system, many people, especially the businessmen are frustrated by various unavoidable legal disputes. To avoid these disputes, contracts applied in international business affairs shall be interpreted and defined without any ambiguity. Therefore, people who are good at dealing wi

10、th both domestic and foreign cases flexibly are in an urgent need under the current economy situation. Based on what has talked about above, the translation of English business contract and other legal document has become an important task recently. As we all know, it is not difficult to find long s

11、entences in English business contract. This thesis puts its aim at alleviating these disputes by analyzing the characteristics and translation strategies of long sentences in English business contract. It is necessary to acquaint oneself with the definition of contract before getting down to English

12、 business contract. The origin of the term “contract” comes from the Latin word “contractus”, meaning “to draw together”. Nowadays, this term, in a broad sense, is an agreement between two or more persons, concerning something to be done, whereby both parties are bound to each other, or one is bound

13、 to the other.Under Chinas Laws, contract is defined to focus on its functions, meaning that “A contract refers to an agreement establishing, modifying and terminating the civil rights and obligations between subjects of equal footing, that is, between natural persons, legal persons or other organiz

14、ations.”(2nd Article, Chinas Contract Law, 1999).Only if there is a foreign element, business contract can be called a foreign contract. It is a written agreement signed in accordance with relevant laws to specify the respective rights and obligations of the parties. 3. Characteristic of Long Senten

15、ces in English Business Contract 3.1 Definition and Classification of Long SentenceLong sentences are often complicated in grammar, excessive in modifier and intricate in content. Lots of long sentences are used in the English business contract which can be divided into three parts, such as simple l

16、ong sentence, compound long sentence and coordinate long sentence.3.2 Characteristics of Simple Long Sentence in Business ContractThe characteristics of English and Chinese are different in word, place order, grammar and structure. As a general rule, simple long sentences are often long in words, fe

17、w in verbs, flexible in place orders, and balanced in structures. When translating the simple long sentence, we should firstly make a clear understanding of related logic relationship between every component. Then cut them into small pieces, find out the Kernel words, change the place of the sentenc

18、e and finally translate them into Chinese. (1) The buyers may, within 15 days after arrival of the goods at the destination, lodge a claim against the seller for short weight being supported by Inspection Certificate issued by a reputable public survey.貨物抵達目的港15天，買方可以憑有信譽的公共檢驗員出示的檢驗證明向賣方提出短重索賠。(2) W

19、ithin 30 days after the signing and coming into effect of this contract, the Buyer shall proceed to pay the price for the goods to the Seller by opening an irrevocable L/C for the full amount of USD 30,000 in favor of the Seller through a bank at export.買房須于本合同簽字并生效30天通過出口地銀行開立以賣方為收益人的不可撤銷信用證支付全部貨款計

20、30000美元。3.3 Characteristics of Compound Long Sentence in English Business ContractEnglish business contract usually uses compound long sentences which contain several subordinate clauses aim at keeping the contract rigorous. The sentences are complicated in grammar, long in structure, but clear in c

21、ontent. When translating this type of long sentence, we must seek out the relationship of each subordinate clause, bear in mind the important and unimportant clause, grasp the kernel sentence, explain the subordinate clause and transmit the original meanings.(3)This Agreement made this twentieth day

22、 of December 2000 between The International Transportation Co. Ltd. of 98 Wuyi Road, the City of Changsha, Party A, and The Far East Trading Co. Ltd. of 29 Piccadilly, the City of London, UK Party B.Witnesses:That party A, in consideration of the agreement hereinafter contained of Party B, that he w

23、ill deliver, in good and marketable condition, to Party B, during the month of March of next year, five thousand cases of sea, in the following lots, and on the following specified terms: one thousand cases by the eighth of March, one thousand cases additional by the fifteenth of the month , one tho

24、usand cases more by the twenty-second, and the entire five thousand cases to be all delivered by the thirtieth of March. 合同簽訂于2000年12月20日，市五一路98號的國際運輸為甲方，英國倫敦皮卡迪利大街29號的遠東貿易為乙方。茲約定，考慮到乙方的許諾，甲方與乙方訂立協議并同意：由甲方負責，于訂約之翌年3月份一月向乙方運送質地優良、符合行銷標準的5000箱茶葉，并按下列期限分批交貨。即：到3月8日止,交貨1000箱，至3月30日全部5000箱茶葉如數交迄。(4) The

25、Buyer shall pay the Seller US $350,000 within 20 days after the Bank of China has received the following documents from the Seller and found them in order, but not earlier than 12 months after the date the Contract Plant for the first time reached 95% of guaranteed capacity of the whole Contract Pla

26、nt according to the guaranteed quality indices as per Annex to the Contract or 65 months after the date of signing the contract, whichever is earlier.買方須于中國銀行收到賣方下列單據，并經審核證實無誤后的20天向賣方支付350，000美元，但此款項的支付不得早于合同工廠第一次達到附件所規定之質量保證指標的95%以后的12個月，或本合同簽字后的65個月，以早到的日期為準。3.4 Characteristics of Coordinate Long

27、Sentences in Business ContractWhen drafting a contract, we should never forget any possibilities. So English Business contract usually contains several juxtaposition clauses which include a few words, phrases, and subordinate clauses. When translating the juxtaposition sentence which formed by two o

28、r more juxtaposition simple clauses, we often cut the long sentence into several simple clauses and translate into Chinese according to the customs. (5) The buyer shall have the right to claim against the Seller for compensation of losses within 60 days after arrival of the goods at the port of dest

29、ination, should the quality of the goods be found not in conformity with the specifications stipulated in the Contract after reinsertion by the China Commodity Inspection Bureau and the Buyer shall have the right to claim against the Sellers for compensation of short weight within 60 days after arri

30、val of the goods at the port of destination, should the weight be found not in conformity with that stipulated in the Bill of Lading after re-inspection by the CCIB.若貨物經中國商品檢驗局復檢后發現質量與本合同規定不符，買方有權于貨物抵達日的港后的60天向賣方提出索賠。若經中國商品檢驗局復檢發現貨物質量與提所示重量不符，買方有權于貨物抵達日的港后的60天向賣方提出短重索賠。4. The Translation Strategies

31、of Long Sentences in Business Contract4.1 Translation Theories4.1.1 Nidas Theory of Functional EquivalenceWhen talking about language theories, Eugene A. Nida, a well-known American translation theorist can not be ignored, whose works make him respected all around the world.He is the first one who h

32、as found the term “dynamic equivalence”, meaning the equivalence in terms of extra-linguistic communication effect as well as the “closest natural equivalent”. In the process of business contract translation, it is of significance to realize the objective that parties concern in the translated versi

33、on. The parties should understand and appreciate the stipulations made in the contract concerning the rights and liabilities of each party. To realize this, we may as well adopt Eugene A. Nidas theory functional equivalence as the principle of business contracts translation. Functional equivalence m

34、eans that translation not only shall be in conformity with the message of the original text, but also shall reflect the form as much as possible.4.1.2 Tytlers Three Principles of TranslationAlexander Fraser Tytler, a famous English translator proposes three principles of translation which include a)

35、 The translation script should have a complete and exact transfer of the ideas of the original one; b) The writing styles and manners should be of the same characteristics as those of the original; and c) The translation works should be understood easily like the original one.4.1.3 Yan Fus Triple Pr

36、inciple It is widely accepted that Yan Fus three principles are one of the most important theory for hundreds of years in Chinas Translation theory history. In the preface of his book Ethics and Evolution, Yan Fu puts forward his translation proposition, namely Xin, Da and Ya,(信、達、雅) or Faithfulness

37、, Expressiveness, and Elegance, which formulate his classic tripartite criteria for excellent translation tasks.4.1.4 Qian Zhongshus Theory of TranslationQian Zhongshu proposes a specific translation theory “ Perfection Model(化境)”, which implies that translation should contain the same idea between

38、the source language and the target language when foreigners read. So the translator should reproduce the target version in a most appropriate way. 4.1.5 Fu Leis Theory of Translation Fu Lei, one of the distinguished Chinese translators, has proposed that practitioners spare no efforts for “similarit

39、ies in spirit rather than being similar in the shape, namely Similarity of Spirit Model (重神似不重形似)”. This theory has some practical functions in the professional field of business contract translation where long and complicated sentences are frequently used. So translators usually break long sentence

40、s into short ones but they can also express the same connotations in essence. 4.2 Business English Translation PrincipleDue to the translation of English Business contract is different from ordinary English translation and literary translation, the translator should not only have solid bilingual bas

41、ic skill, but also have a good knowledge of every aspect of business contract such as the characteristics of terms and methods usually used in business.4.3 Strategies of Translating Long Sentence4.3.1 Ordering Some long sentences in English business contract are constructed by the order of primary,

42、time, logic, and secondary. We can translate them into Chinese according to the original structure order.(6)The world is undergoing profound changes: the integration of economy with science and technology is increasing, the restructuring of the world economy is speeding up, and economic prosperity d

43、epends not only on the total volume of resources and capital, but also directly on the accumulation and application of technological knowledge and information. 世界正在發生深刻的變化：經濟與科學技術的結合與日俱增；世界經濟的重組加快步伐；經濟繁榮不僅僅取決于資源和資本的總量，而且直接有賴于技術知識和信息的積累與其應用。(7)And, only by maintaining rapid economic growth on the bas

44、is of better performance, can we mitigate the operating problems plaguing our enterprises, lighten unemployment pressure, promote strategic restructuring of the economy, increase state revenue, prevent financial risks and maintain social stability. 只有在提高效益的前提下保持快速的經濟增長，我們才能緩解企業生產經營困難，減輕就業壓力，促進經濟結構調整

45、，增加財政收入，防金融風險，保持社會穩定4.3.2 Reversing of OrderAs we all know, the formation of English and Chinese are based on different backgrounds, so the order of some sentences in English are opposite to the Chinese expression customs. The reversing method means we can translate this type of sentence from the ba

46、ck. (8) It should be the pressing task in international postal cooperation to actively help developing countries overcome difficulties in their development of postal services and to energetically narrow the gap between the developing and the developed countries in this field. 積極幫助發展中國家克服郵政建設中面臨的困難，努

47、力縮小發展中國家與發達國家在郵政領域的差距，應成為國際郵政合作的當務之急。(9) Fourth, severe punishment shall be imposed on those who make use of or instigate minors to smuggle, traffic, transport or manufacture drugs, sell drugs to minors , or lure, instigate, deceive or force them into taking or injecting drugs, and on those who have

48、 again committed drug-related crimes after having been convicted of the crime of smuggling, trafficking, transporting, manufacturing or illegally holding drugs. 其四，對利用、未成年人走私、販賣、運輸、制造毒品，或者向未成年人出售毒品的，引誘、欺騙或者強迫未成年人吸食、注射毒品的，因走私、販賣、運輸、制造、非法持有毒品罪被判過刑又有毒品罪行為的，從重處罰。4.3.3AdjustingSometimes, we should adjust

49、 the order of original clause due to the differences between Chinese and English.(10)The documentary credit offers a unique and universally used method of achieving a commerciallyacceptable compromise by providing for payment to be made against documents that represent the goods and make possible th

50、e transfer ofrights to those goods.跟單信用證提供了一種獨特的，全世界都采用的方法，即憑代表貨物的單據付款，從而使貨權的轉移成為可能。這是一種商業上可以接受的這種方式。4.3.4 SeparatingSeparating method refers to the strategy that we can pick out and translate the modifier of the original sentence when main sentence and subordinate clauses are not bound tightly. (11

51、)And confidence is growing in the debt-restructuring progress, the infuriatingly slow and untidy effort that puts debtor nations on the International Monetary Funds stringent diet of hardnosed monetary policy, curtailed government spending, and fewer imports. 人們對以下諸方面的信心正在增強：在重新確定債務過程中的信心正在增強；在改變讓債務

52、國在執行國際貨幣基金組織的嚴厲貨幣緊縮政策時所持的令人氣憤而拖拉疲沓的作風方面的信心正在增強；在政府削減開支方面的信心正在增強，在少量進口外國產品方面的信心正在增強。4.3.5 SynthesizingSynthesizing refers to the strategy that when you have trouble in the process of translating, you can choose one or all of the strategies the author has talked about above. (12)International counter trade is a practice whereby a supplier commits contrac