Abstract：After china’s reform and opening up especially after china’s entry into WTO, China has a closer connection in economy with the world. The translation of contract plays a dramatic role in business connection. So the quality of translation is important to the success of cooperation.

This paper starts with Eugene A. Nida’s functional equivalence on the basis of the reader’s response. Afterwards, it also analyses many details of the theory. In order to deepen the research of long sentence translation in business contract, the language features are presented in the thesis from two perspectives. The first is words, and the other is syntax. The words and sentences used in business contracts are quite different from daily English. And these unusual features have their own functions. Nida’s functional equivalence is necessary in the long sentence translation for it not only makes the translation easy for reader’s understanding but also states clearly the rights and obligations of both parties, which makes business cooperation successful. Based on the functional equivalence and language features, the translation principles and techniques are given at last. 

Keywords: Eugene A. Nida; Functional Equivalence; business contract; translation; long sentence

Contents

摘要

Abstract

Chapter 1 Introduction-1

Chapter 2 Eugene A. Nida’s Functional Equivalence-3

2.1 Overall View-3

2.1.1 Translation is Reproducing the Message.-4

2.1.2 Translation Seeks Equivalence Rather than Identity-4

2.1.3 Translation is in Want of a Natural Equivalence-4

2.1.4 Translation Highlights the Significance of Style.-5

2.1.5 Translation Gives Priority to Meaning.-5

Chapter 3 English Use in Business Contract-7

3.1 The Definition of Contract-7

3.2 The Functions of Business Contracts-7

3.3 The Language Features of Business Contract-7

3.3.1 Lexicon in Business Contracts-8

3.3.2 Syntax-9

Chapter 4 Translation Principles and Specific Techniques in Translating Long Sentences in Business Contracts-11

4.1 Principles for Long Sentences Translation-11

4.1.1 Meaning has Priority over Form-11

4.1.2 Create a Similar Reader’s Effect as the Original Message.-11

4.2 Specific Techniques for Long Sentence Translation-11

4.2.1 Functional Equivalence on Lexical Level-11

4.2.2 Functional Equivalence on Syntax Level-13

Chapter 5 Conclusion-17

References-18

Acknowledgements-19