TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Statement of authorship i

Acknowledgement ii

Abstract iii

Table of contents iv

List of abbreviations vi

List of diagrams vii

INTRODUCTION 1

1. Rational for the study 1

2. Significance of the study 2

3. Scope and objectives of the study 2

3.1. Scope of the study 2

3.2. Research questions 2

4. Research methods 2

5. Overview of the study 3

CHAPTER 1. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 4

1.1.CHARACTERISTICS OF LEGAL LANGUAGE 4

1.1.1. An overview of legal traditions in the world 4

1.1.2. Vietnamese legal system 6

1.1.3. Vietnamese legal language 7

1.1.3.1. History of Vietnamese legal language 7

1.1.3.2. Linguistic features of Vietnamese legal language 7

1.1.4. English legal language 10

1.1.4.1. History of English legal language 10

1.1.4.2. Linguistic features of English legal language 11

1.2. TRANSLATION THEORY 16

1.2.1. Definition of translation 16

1.2.2. Translation methods and strategies 17

1.2.2.1. Translation methods 18

1.2.2.2. Translation strategies 20

1.2.3. Translation equivalence and assessment 21

1.2.4. Translation of legal documents 24

CHAPTER 2. APPLICATION OF HOUSE’S MODEL FOR TRANSLATION QUALITY ASSESSMENT 27

2.1. Presentation of the model 27

2.1.1. An overview of the model 27

2.1.2. Operation of the model 28

2.2. Application of the model 31

2.2.1. Analysis of Source Text 32

2.2.2. Statement of function 47

CHAPTER 3. DISCUSSION 49

3.1. Comparison of Target Text and Source Text 49

3.2. Quality of the translation 57

3.3. Implications for translating Vietnamese legal documents into English 59

CONCLUSION 62

REFERENCES 64

Appendix A. Vietnamese version of the selected text I

Appendix B. English version of the selected text V

ABSTRACT

In today’s world where no nation can ignore the economic integration trend, the demand for easy access to the body of legal documents of a country is greater than ever before. More and more legal documents are being translated into English, the international language of communication, for reference purposes. This calls for studies into the field of legal translation to come up with methods and strategies of translation, as well as assessment and evaluation of translations.

This study aims at revealing the most basic features of Vietnamese and English legal language, and basic concepts of translation theory in general, legal translation in particular. Then it will test the appropriateness of House’s model for translation quality assessment in assessing English translations of Vietnamese legal documents. This is done through the application of the model in assessing the English version of the Law on Investment 2005 of Vietnam and conclusions based on the findings. Finally, implications for translating Vietnamese legal documents into English will be proposed