Abstract：Since 1930s, western countries (the UK and the USA) have studied discourse analysis. As a matter of fact, it is a new subject which has progressed very quickly since it came into being in the fifties of last century. Cohesion and coherence are two basic concepts which play a very important role in the field of discourse analysis. Moreover, Cohesion is the key point in discourse analysis.

 Business English contract is a discourse with unique features. Chinese and English  scholars both have studied it. Some have concentrated on the study of the features of pitching upon words in business English contracts. Others have made efforts to study the ways of translation in business English contracts. However, little effort has been made to study the effects of nominal substitution in business English contracts. This thesis is based on the cohesion theory of Halliday & Ha san and also combines with the important views put forward by famous  scholar Hu zhuanglin. Through these concrete examples, from the perspective of definite substitution devices, this thesis is designed to study the application and effects of nominal substitution and promote the drafting, reading and translating of business English contracts.

The thesis draws the following conclusion after comparing various examples of business English contracts. Generally speaking, nominal substitution consists of five types: hyponymy, pronoun substitution,“one” or “that”, “the same”.

Keywords: business English contracts  cohesion  nominal substitution

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Background of the Subject-1

1.2 Business English Contracts-1

1.2.1 The Definition of Business Contracts-1

1.2.2 Features of Business English contracts-2

1.3 Definition of Nominal Substitution-3

1.4 The Structure of This Thesis-3

Chapter Two Literature Review-4

2.1 Previous Studies On Substitution Abroad-4

2.2 Previous Studies On Substitution At Home-4

2.3  Current Studies On Substitution At home-5

Chapter Three Theoretical Framework-6

3.1 Text and Discourse-6

3.2 Cohesion Theory-6

3.3 Cohesive Devices-7

Chapter Four Nominal Substitution In Business English Contracts-8

4.1 Pronoun-8

4.2 Hyponymy-10

4.3“One” or “That”-10

4.4 The Same-11

Chapter Five Conclusion-12

5.1 Major Findings-12

5.2 Limitations and suggestions for future study-12