a study on some difficulties of translating business corespondence

A study on some difficulties of translating business corespondence

Contents

Page

Acknowledgements

Abstract

Statement of Authorship

Abstract.........................................................................................................................4

Statement of Authorship..............................................................................................5

Chapter I Introduction.................................................................................................6

1.1. Background to the Study......................................................................................6

1.2. Organization of the study.....................................................................................7

Chapter II Literature Review......................................................................................8

2.1. Introduction..........................................................................................................8

2.2. Basic theory about business letters......................................................................8

2.2.1. The importance of business letters in doing business...................................9

2.2.2. Definition of a business letter.....................................................................10

2.2.3. Kinds of business letters.............................................................................10

2.2.3.1. Social business letters..........................................................................10

2.2.3.2. Inquiries...............................................................................................13

2.2.3.3. Quotations and offers...........................................................................13

2.2.3.4. Orders...................................................................................................13

2.2.3.5. Claims..................................................................................................13

2.2.3.6. Letters of Application...........................................................................14

2.3. Features of a good business letters.....................................................................14

2.3.1. Giving the letters a professional look..........................................................15

2.3.1.1. Paper....................................................................................................16

2.3.1.2. Envelope...............................................................................................16

2.3.1.3. Margins................................................................................................16

2.3.1.4. Spacing.................................................................................................16

2.3.2. Parts of a business letter..............................................................................16

2.3.2.1. Letterhead............................................................................................16

2.3.2.2. Dateline................................................................................................17

2.3.2.3. Inside address.......................................................................................17

2.3.2.4. Order of inside address........................................................................18

2.3.2.5. Punctuation of address.........................................................................18

2.3.2.6. Salutation.............................................................................................19

2.3.2.7. Content.................................................................................................19

2.3.2.8. Complimentary close...........................................................................20

2.3.2.9. Signature block....................................................................................20

2.3.3. Other parts...................................................................................................20

2.3.3.1. Attention line........................................................................................20

2.3.3.2. References............................................................................................20

2.3.3.3. P.p.........................................................................................................21

2.3.3.4. Enclosures............................................................................................21

2.3.4. Styles of business letter...............................................................................21

2.3.4.1. Indented style......................................................................................21

2.3.4.2. Common expression.............................................................................21

2.3.5. Useful hints for business letter writing.......................................................22

2.3.5.1. Outlining a business letter....................................................................22

2.3.5.2. Composing the content.........................................................................23

2.4. Summary............................................................................................................23

Chapter III Methods and Procedures.......................................................................24

3.1. Introduction........................................................................................................24

3.2. Subjects..............................................................................................................24

3.3. Instrumentation..................................................................................................24

3.4. Procedures..........................................................................................................25

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A study on some difficulties of translating business corespondence

3.4.1. Using correct grammar...............................................................................26

3.4.2. Power of Lexis............................................................................................26

3.4.3. Terminology in business correspondence....................................................27

3.4.4. Conveying the writing style........................................................................27

Chapter IV Results and Discussion...........................................................................28

4.1. Introduction........................................................................................................28

4.2. The Findings......................................................................................................28

4.3. Discussion..........................................................................................................29

4.3.1. Some difficulties and common mistakes in using correct grammar...........29

4.3.2. Power of lexis and Terminology, set expression and using words in

translating business correspondence.....................................................................33

4.3.2.1. Lexis and Terminology.........................................................................33

4.3.2.2. Mistakes and difficulties in set expression and using words...............39

4.3.2.3. Mistakes and difficulties in using words.............................................42

4.3.3. Difficulties in conveying the original writing styles...................................48

4.3.3.1. Problems in tone..................................................................................49

Dear Mr. Jutaporn,.....................................................................................................49

Dear Mrs. Jutaporn,...................................................................................................50

4.3.3.2. Using inflated language.......................................................................50

4.3.3.3. Using negative ideas............................................................................51

4.3.3.4. Using impersonal style.........................................................................52

4.4. Summary............................................................................................................53

Chapter V: Implications, Suggestions.......................................................................54

and Conclusion............................................................................................................54

5.1. Implications.......................................................................................................54

5.1.1. Using correct language..............................................................................54

5.1.2. Solution to conveying the original writing styles........................................56

5.2. Suggestions for future research..........................................................................60

5.3. Conclusion.........................................................................................................60

Appendices..................................................................................................................63

Letter 1.........................................................................................................................65

Letter 2......................................................................................................................65

Letter 3......................................................................................................................66

Letter 4..................................................................................................................66

Letter 5..................................................................................................................66

Letter 6..................................................................................................................67

Letter 7..................................................................................................................67

Letter 8..............................................................................................................68

Letter 9..................................................................................................................69

Letter 10................................................................................................................69

Letter 11................................................................................................................70

Letter 12................................................................................................................71

Letter 13................................................................................................................72

Letter 14................................................................................................................72

Letter 15............................................................................................................73

Letter 16................................................................................................................73

Sample Translation.....................................................................................................73

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A study on some difficulties of translating business corespondence

Acknowledgements

The graduation paper named ”A study on some difficulties in translating

business correspondence” is the biggest scientific research for me during the last

four years. In order to finish it, besides my own efforts, I have a lot of help,

guidance and encouragement from my teachers, my family and my friends.

First, I would like to express all of my in-depth gratitude to my supervisor,

Mr. Hoang Van Hoat, M.A, Lecturer at the English Department for his valuable

instructions and suggestions, careful corrections during the development of my

graduation paper.

Second, I also would like to thank all the teachers of the translation and

intepreting devision, who have taught me during the past time.

I would like to express my thanks to Mr. Nguyen Viet Thang, his

lectures have great impact on me and help me so much in finishing this

dissertation.

Last but not least, we would also like to give my thank to friends for their

constructive opinions so that I could finish this paper in time.

Nguyen Thuy Van - FA10_99 - HUFS

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A study on some difficulties of translating business corespondence

Abstract

This dissertation is divided into 5 chapters. The first part – Introduction refers

to the background to the study, organisation of the study. Chapter two –Literature

review refers to basic theory about business letters: The importance of business letters

in business communication, definition of a business letter; kinds of business letters

and some features of a good business letter and definition which some then be adapted

to translate Business correspondence mentioned in this dissertation. Also, this chapter

is hoped to bring about an overview of Business correspondence. What is a Business

correspondence and its characteristics are mentioned here so that you will have

concrete understanding about a business correspondence. This makes you to find

easier when reading the chapter three.

As the main purpose of this dissertation is to point out some difficulties in

translating Business correspondence, some regular concrete difficulties and their

samples are specially mentioned here. Moreover, popular expressions equivalent

translations, economic terms and international abbreviations are also referred to so

that it is hoped to find out the way to overcome such metioned difficulties.

Chapter Five – Implications, suggestions, and conclusion are some help for

anyone who are interested in this field. The Conclusion will summarize all the

dissertation and some of my personal experience drawn from this dissertation.

It is desired that further research is necessary to find out best methods of

translating of Business correspondence. Yet, it is hoped that this dissertation could

only provide basic ideas of a Business correspondence and difficulties to avoid.

During the dissertation, shortcomings and mistakes are unavoidable. Any correction

and suggestion for further understanding from my teachers, my friends and my

readers, therefore, will be highly appreciated.

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A study on some difficulties of translating business corespondence

Statement of Authorship

I hereby certify my authority of the thesis sunmitted today entitled:

A study on difficulties in translating of business correspondence

In terms of the statement of requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Signed…………………………..

Nguyen Thuy Van

June, 2003

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A study on some difficulties of translating business corespondence

Chapter I Introduction

1.1. Background to the Study

If you know English, you can travel everywhere in the world. In fact, that is

completely reasonable because there are over 300 million people speaking English as

their first language, and the same people speak it as a second language. However, no

one can know for sure how many people speak it as a foreign language. English is the

language taught at lots of universities all over the world, the language of international

communication, science, aviation. In particular, it is used as the language of

international business.

Nowadays, due to the internationalization trend of the world economy,

companies not only trade in their countries but also expand their commerce to other

countries. In order to keep in touch with their partners, the best way is to write

business letters. Actually, each country has its language, and English is the mother

tongue in many countries. Therefore, they usually use English in their letters.

During the previous four years, my friends and I have had chances to study

English thoroughly in terms of language practice (i.e. listening, speaking, etc.) as well

as language theory (i.e. grammar, lexicology, discourse analysis and so on). I would

say that English for Business is the subject we are interested in most since it teaches us

some essential jobs such as writing memos, lists, reports, especially letters that are

very helpful if we work for an import - export company in the future.

Nevertheless, writing a business letter in English well is not easy. Realizing

the importance of business letters and the difficulties writers usually meet, I have

decided to choose business letters for graduation paper whose title is some difficulties

in translating business correspondence. When doing my research, I would try my

best suggestions for the fourth-year students and younger students in order that they

would be able to write an effective business letter at work.

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A study on some difficulties of translating business corespondence

1.2. Organization of the study

The basic structural format of the research study is organized into five chapters,

a list of references, and appendices.

Chapter I includes the background to the study and the organization of the

study. Chapter II presents a review of the related literature. Chapter III details the

methods and procedures used to conduct the study and to collect the data. Results and

discussion appeared in chapter IV. Chapter V includes implications resulting from the

study, suggestion for further research, and conclusion.

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