The significance of the study lies in both the theory and practice. From the stylistic perspective, we can get a more systematic knowledge of the features of contracts English, make appropriate use of English in its communication, and deepen our understanding and appreciation of business. Stylistic features are reflected by style markers which only or frequently appear in one specific register, representing a particular variety of language. As an applied style, stylistic features of contract English are demonstrated on lexical level as well as syntactic level. So to research translation of English business contracts, this thesis attempts an analysis of stylistic features of business contracts by way of exploring better translating methods and criteria. Moreover, under the guidance of retrospective translation theory, such a connection might provide a new angle to search for the skill of translation of contract English and help to bring forward new principles and criteria of translation of applied English. In order to accomplished its task of analyzing and exploring translation of English business contracts, this thesis firstly offers a general survey of the contract. Following that there come the observations of the style, the stylistics, and the demonstration of the unique stylistic features by enough sample sentences from business contracts. In the end, it investigates and probes into the specific translation principles of English business contracts by reference to and in the perspective of the stylistic analysis.

2. Literature Review

The language of law includes various sub-varieties such as statutes, ordinances, verdicts, and treaties, each of which concerns one specific legal aspect in people's life (Mellinkoff, 11). Contracts are one of these sub-varieties, which are nearly elsewhere to be seen, since nowadays interpersonal or inter-entity relations have to be defined by such legal documents.

To be specific, a contract is basically a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties, and it is legally enforceable. (Li Huang 17) In practice, a contract without exception concerns the imposition of certain obligations and the conferring of certain rights. One party's rights are in effect the other party's obligations. As a result, a contract must state what the contracting parties want to say as exactly as possible, leaving no room for misinterpretation(Xu 177). Therefore, precision is of utmost importance in drafting contracts.

More and more translation theorists and translators consider style as an important factor in translation. According to Nida and Taber 1969, translating consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source language message, first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style (Nida and Taber 12). Snell Hornby put forward the factor of style in translating (Hornby and Mary 119). In addition, Newmark 1982, Mason 1990, Hatim 1997 and Nida 2001 also pay attention to the matter of style in translating in their works. In China, Wang Zuoliang 1987 and Qin Xiubai 1987 state that the study of stylistics has great significance to translating work in their works.