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Translating the Definite Article in Patents into Chinese

Walle, Spencer LU (2025) KINK11 20242
Chinese Studies
Division of Chinese Studies and Japanese Studies
Abstract (Chinese)
本论文分析中文专利语言规范的特点，尤其是如何将英文的定冠词翻译成简体中文。“所述”一词在中文专利要求中异常频繁使用，这是否反映了英文对中文的影响？通过语料库分析，本研究发现“所述”一词的广泛使用用不仅受英文的影响，而且反映了专利作者和翻译者对精确性和受控语言的强调，还有他们在长期实践中达成的共识。专利兼具技术文本和法律文本的双重属性，因此翻译策略必须平衡不同的目标。本论文在结论部分提供了对专利翻译理论与实践的原创见解。
Abstract
This paper analyzes the linguistic characteristics of Chinese patent language norms, particularly how the English definite article is translated into Simplified Chinese. The term “所述” is used with exceptional frequency in Chinese patent claims. Does this reflect the influence of English on Chinese? Through a corpus-based analysis, this study finds that the widespread use of “所述” is not only influenced by English but also reflects the emphasis of patent authors and translators on precision and controlled language, as well as the consensus they have reached through long-term practice. Patents have the dual nature of being both technical and legal texts, and translation strategies must balance these differing objectives. In its conclusion,... (More)
This paper analyzes the linguistic characteristics of Chinese patent language norms, particularly how the English definite article is translated into Simplified Chinese. The term “所述” is used with exceptional frequency in Chinese patent claims. Does this reflect the influence of English on Chinese? Through a corpus-based analysis, this study finds that the widespread use of “所述” is not only influenced by English but also reflects the emphasis of patent authors and translators on precision and controlled language, as well as the consensus they have reached through long-term practice. Patents have the dual nature of being both technical and legal texts, and translation strategies must balance these differing objectives. In its conclusion, this paper offers original insights into the theory and practice of patent translation. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Walle, Spencer LU
supervisor
organization
course
KINK11 20242
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Chinese, patent translation, definite article, corpus
language
English
id
9182153
date added to LUP
2025-03-18 13:20:04
date last changed
2025-03-18 13:20:04
@misc{9182153,
  abstract     = {{This paper analyzes the linguistic characteristics of Chinese patent language norms, particularly how the English definite article is translated into Simplified Chinese. The term “所述” is used with exceptional frequency in Chinese patent claims. Does this reflect the influence of English on Chinese? Through a corpus-based analysis, this study finds that the widespread use of “所述” is not only influenced by English but also reflects the emphasis of patent authors and translators on precision and controlled language, as well as the consensus they have reached through long-term practice. Patents have the dual nature of being both technical and legal texts, and translation strategies must balance these differing objectives. In its conclusion, this paper offers original insights into the theory and practice of patent translation.}},
  author       = {{Walle, Spencer}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Translating the Definite Article in Patents into Chinese}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}