论商务法律英语之学科独立性

Disciplinary Independence of Business Legal English——An Exploration of the Chinese Perspective

本文在分析法律英语和商务英语已有的研究趋势及各英语母语国家所开展的'简化语言运动'的基础上提出,传统法律英语和商务英语不能满足商务实践的迫切需求,因为传统法律英语有别于商务环境中使用的法律英语(商务法律英语)。作为非英语母语国家,为确保我国国际商务实践活动的有效开展,保持经济的稳定增长,中国非常有必要确立及加强商务法律英语的学科建设及理论梳理。以实践为导向开设的商务英语学科建设也为商务法律英语学科的可行性建构提供了良好的示范。商务法律英语学科因其特殊性可以从语言知识、法律知识以及实践知识三方面开展框架建构及梳理。

Legal English and business English have been extensively studied at an interdisciplinary level,yet legal English applied in business context(namely business legal English)has received little specific attention.Based upon the findings and conclusions of the research into legal English and business English,as well as the'Plain Language Movement'launched by governments in native English-speaking countries,this paper proposes that the existing research into the above-mentioned domains can not fully satisfy the urgent need for business legal English,due to the clear differences between traditional legal English,business legal English and business English.In a non-native English speaking country like China,it is necessary to establish the disciplinary construction of business legal English and to advance its theoretical framework to increase efficiency in international business transactions and ensure the sustainability of economic growth.Meanwhile,the practice-oriented discipline of business English presents a good example of the feasibility of business legal English.The theoretical base of business legal English may encompass linguistic knowledge(forensic linguistics),legal knowledge(statutory updates and precedent reforms),and practical knowledge(legal negotiation and legal drafting)because of its interdisciplinary characteristics.