C-E Translation of the Chinese Civil Code and Intellectual Property Law: A Systematic Functional Linguistic Approach

Abstract

This thesis is based on the diverse C-E translation versions of the Chinese civil code and intellectual property law. Under the guidance of systematic functional linguistics, this thesis uses metafuction theory as the main perspective and takes the field, tenor and mode characteristics of intellectual property law into consideration to analyze the translation versions so as to find the most aptly worded translation version which reveals the legislation intention and original context. Also, efforts are made to seek the equivalence between the source language and the target language in terms of ideational metafunction, interpersonal metafunction and textual metafuncion, thereby ensuring the accuracy of declaration of will and avoiding gross misunderstanding. Based on the comparative study of different translated versions, the thesis concludes that the translation of intellectual property legal articles should pay attention to the usage of legal professional words and model verbs and ensure the formalness, conciseness and readability.