摘 要

随着各国之间贸易活动的频繁，各国之间的贸易联系也越来越紧密。商务英语函电作为重要的贸易联系方式，在国际贸易中起着越来越重要的作用。在信息大爆炸的今天，人们相互交换的信息量有增无减，而用于交流的时间却不容拖延，这种情况下人们对于交流速度的追求只能转向语言的压缩，这就形成了大量的缩略语。

本文在保证缩略语的理论知识正确的情况下，对其构词进行探究。从汉英缩略语的构词方式和翻译技巧角度出发，对缩略语进行深入的了解。资料大多来源于包括被收录的缩略语，还有日常中比较常见的缩略语。

关键字：商务英语；缩略语；翻译技巧

Contents

1. Introduction...........................................................................................................1

2. The composing methods of abbreviation in business English ………………...2

2.1 acronym …………………………………………………………………………3

2.2 Clipped words ..…………………………………………………………………4

2.3 Blending ..……………………………………………………………………….5

2.4 Homo-phonic abbreviation ….………………………………………………….7

2.5 Symbolic abbreviation .…………………………………………………………7

2.6 Code abbreviation ..……………………………………………………………..7

2.7 Foreign abbreviation …..………………………………………………………..8

3. Translation skills of abbreviation in business English ..……………………….8

3.1 Free translation …………………..……………………………………………..8

3.2 Transliteration …………………………………………………………………..9

3.3 Liberal translation ……………………………………………………………....9

3.4 Transliteration and liberal translation …………………………………………..10

3.5 Direct reference ………………………………………………………………...10

4. Rules for using abbreviation …………………………………………………….11

4.1 Matters needing attention ………………………………………………………11

4.2 Notes in translation ……………………………………………………………..12

5. Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………..13

Reference ……………………………………………………………………………14

The composing methods and translation skills of abbreviation in business English

1. Introduction

With the development of economic globalization and the acceleration of the pace of international business activities, the breadth and depth of business activities, such as trade, finance, insurance, advertising and so on, are expanding day by day. The prevalence of abbreviations in Business English conforms to the principle of economy -- taking the utility of language words to achieve the best optimization configuration, but also reflects the tendency to use language sought to be economical and simple. The abbreviations in business communication bring convenience to people, but also potentially increasing the difficulty of reading,。

• Theoretical sources

The principle of saving effort proposed by Zipf, a famous linguist, is the theoretical source of abbreviation. In 1949, Zipf proposed a basic principle of human behavior - the principle of saving effort. This principle is put forward on the basis of the universal laws of human beings and even animal activities. The balance between the method of work and the effect of the word is used in the study of vocabulary: the speakers are always trying to save energy, hope to express the most significance with the least word.

In short, it means to express the definite meaning in the least language. The simple form of the original word but meaning unchanged is to generate abbreviations theory.

• Research objectives

In English, the abbreviation emphasizes the reduction of form, which is divided into two kinds. One is the form of new words which is condensed and intercepted by the original words, and the two is the abbreviation of the original word, and there is no difference of pronunciation.

Although abbreviations have been paid more attention, there are not many articles on the actual effectiveness of abbreviations, this is not consistent with the growing trend of the interplay and penetration of various languages in the world today. There are very few monographs on abbreviations. Predecessors studied from the aspects of word formation, rhetoric, grammar, translation and so on.

• Research purposes

This paper starts with composing methods and translation skills of abbreviations, and aims to make people understand abbreviation thoroughly. The first part is about the composing methods of abbreviation in business English. The second is about translation skills of abbreviation in business English. The third part refers to the rules of the use of abbreviations, and the last part is a summary. Most of the information in this article comes from the dictionary, as well as the more common abbreviations in daily life. This paper aims to help trade workers to improve the literacy and the ability to use abbreviations.

2. The composing methods of abbreviation in business English

The abbreviation in English refers to the words that don't change the meaning of the original words, but simplify the long, complex words (phrases) to make people understand easily. A word, part of a whole word or phrase, represents the meaning of word or phrase.