1、商務(wù)合同翻譯案例一、理論、方法與技巧翻譯方法的學(xué)習(xí), 英漢語言特點(diǎn)的對(duì)比, 商務(wù)術(shù)語的理解等等。英語合同的特點(diǎn)與翻譯在英語中，合同一般稱為Contract。何謂“Contract”?1999年中國合同法第二條對(duì)Contract定義為：A contract in this Law refers to an agreement establishing，modifying and terminating the civil rights and obligations between subject of equal footing，that is，between natural persons

2、legal persons or other organizations.根據(jù)這一定義，合同平等主體之間設(shè)立的確定民事權(quán)利和義務(wù)的協(xié)議。Steven H.Gifts編著的“Law Dictionary”中將contract定義為“contract is a promise or a set of promises，for breach of which the law gives remedy，or the performance of the which the law in some way recognize as a duty.”根據(jù)這一定義，合同是一種承諾，違反承諾可以得到法律救濟(jì)，

3、某種意義上法律將履行該承諾看成是一種救濟(jì)。L.L.B Curzon在其編纂的字典“A Dictionary of Law”給contract的定義：“Contract is a legally binding agreement.”根據(jù)這一定義，合同就是有法律約束力的協(xié)議?？偠灾贤惙晌募靡砸?guī)定當(dāng)事人的權(quán)利與義務(wù)，是預(yù)防與解決爭(zhēng)議的依據(jù)。一、用詞特點(diǎn)與翻譯要點(diǎn)合同英語的用詞極其考究，具有特定性。要求選詞專業(yè)化（professional）、正式（formal）、準(zhǔn)確（accurate）。具體體現(xiàn)在下列方面：1、 May, shall, must ,may not (或shall not

4、) 的使用 May, shall , must ,may not (或shall not)對(duì)學(xué)過英語的人再熟悉不過，但在合同中用這些詞時(shí)要極其謹(jǐn)慎。權(quán)利義務(wù)的約見定部分構(gòu)成了合同的主體。這幾個(gè)詞如選用不當(dāng)，可能會(huì)引起糾紛。may旨在約定當(dāng)事人的權(quán)利（可以做什么），Shall約定當(dāng)事人的義務(wù)（應(yīng)當(dāng)做什么時(shí)候），must 用于強(qiáng)制性義務(wù)（必須做什么），may not (或shall not)用于禁止性義務(wù)（不得做什么）。May do 不能說成can do，shall do, 不能說成should do 或ought to do， may not do 在美國一些法律文件可以用shall not，但

5、絕不能用can not do或must not。2、 用語正式（formal） 合同英語有著嚴(yán)肅的風(fēng)格，與其它英語作品有很大不同。 例如： “因?yàn)椤钡亩陶Z多用“by virtue of”，遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)多于“due to”一般不用“because of”；“財(cái)務(wù)年度末”一般用“at the close of the fiscal year”，而不用“in the end of the fiscal year”； “在之前”一般用“prior to”，而不用“before”；“關(guān)于”常用“as regards”， “concerning”或“relating to”，而不會(huì)用“about”；“事實(shí)上”用“

6、in effect”，而不用“in fact”； “開始”用“commencement”,而不用“start”或“begin”； “停止做”用“cease to do”，而不用“stop to do”；何時(shí)開會(huì)并由某某主持”的表述為：The meeting shall be convened and presided by sb. 其中“召開”不用“hold 或call”，而用“convene”； “主持”不用“chair”或“be in charge of ”，而用“preside”；“其他事項(xiàng)”用“miscellaneous”, 而不用“other matters/events”；“理解合

7、同”用“construe a contract” 或“comprehend a contract”，而不用“understand a contract”；“認(rèn)為”用“deem”，用“consider”少，不用“think”或“believe”。3、 用詞專業(yè)（technical） 合同用詞不以大眾是否理解和接受為轉(zhuǎn)移，它是合同語言準(zhǔn)確表達(dá)的保障。如合同出現(xiàn)的“瑕疵”、 “救濟(jì)”、 “不可抗力”、 “管轄”、“損毀”、 “滅失”等就可能讓非行業(yè)人士費(fèi)解，在英語以上表達(dá)分別為defect、remedy、force majuere、jurisdiction、damage and/or loss。另外

8、幾乎每個(gè)合同都少不了hereinafter referred to as , whereas, in witness whereof, for and on behalf of , hereby, thereof 等虛詞。這也是合同英語的一大特色。 其它例子還有： “賠償”用“indemnities”，而不用“compensation”；“不動(dòng)產(chǎn)轉(zhuǎn)讓”用“conveyance”，而不用“transfer of real estate”；“房屋出租”用“tenancy”，而“財(cái)產(chǎn)出租”用“l(fā)ease of property” “停業(yè)”用“wind up a business”或“cease (名

9、詞是cessation) a business”,而不用“end/stop a business”)；“依照合同相關(guān)規(guī)定”一般說“pursuant to provisions contained herein”或“as provided herein”等，不說“according to relevant terms and conditions in the contract”。 4、同義詞、近義詞、相關(guān)詞的并列使用FOR value RECEIVED，the undersigned does hereby sell, transfer, assign and set over to _ al

10、l his right, tile and interest in and to a certain contract dated _, 19_ by and between the undersigned and _，a copy of which is annexed hereto. 在這里的同義詞和近義詞并列（ 如sell, transfer, assign and set over，right和 tile and interest），在英文合同里十分普遍。這是出于嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)和杜絕漏洞的考慮，有的也屬于合同用語的固定模式。如： This agreement is made and entere

11、d into by and between Party A and Party B.句中“made and entered into”和“by and between”兩組分別屬于同義詞和相關(guān)詞并列。 For and in consideration of mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows: 句中“for and in consideration of ”， “covenants and agreements”三組同義司和近義詞并列

12、。 The parties have agreed to vary the Management on the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein. 這里的“on the terms”和“subject to the conditions”是一個(gè)意思，都表示“依照本協(xié)議的條款規(guī)定”。合同條款的固定模式是“terms and conditions” 。再例如： “Party A wishes to be released and discharged from agreement as from the effective d

13、ate”，一句中的“release”和“discharge”意思幾乎相同。 5、 古英語與外來詞的應(yīng)用（borrowing words） 使用古英語最為突出的是較多使用here、there、where加后綴in、by、after、from等介詞構(gòu)成的詞。在法律文件中用這些詞，可以避免重復(fù)，避免歧義，使行文準(zhǔn)確、簡潔。常用例詞如下： hereafter, hereby, herein, hereof, hereto hereunder, hereupon, herewith, hereinbefore, hereinafter; thereafter, thereby, therein, the

14、reinafter, thereinbefore, thereon, thereof, thereunder, thereupon, therewith; whereas, whereby, wherein, whereof, whereon, etc。 合同中也會(huì)使用一些外來詞匯，常見的有拉丁語和法語詞匯。 如比例稅率：用pro rate tax rate要比proportional tax rate多；從事慈善性服務(wù)的律師：pro bono lawyer，不怎么用lawyer engaged in charitable legal assistance；委托代理人：多用agent ad l

15、item。2、 句法特點(diǎn)與翻譯要點(diǎn)如果說商務(wù)合同的用詞具有專業(yè)、準(zhǔn)確、正式的特點(diǎn)，那么商務(wù)合同的句法則有結(jié)構(gòu)嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)、句式較長的特點(diǎn)。句子的狀語（從句）和定語（從句）等附加成分很多，且往往位置明顯，對(duì)主句意義進(jìn)行解釋、限制或補(bǔ)充，一則可以體現(xiàn)這種文體莊嚴(yán)的風(fēng)格、嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)?shù)慕Y(jié)構(gòu)和清晰的邏輯；二則便于排除被曲解、誤解而出現(xiàn)歧義引發(fā)爭(zhēng)端的可能性，維護(hù)雙方的合法權(quán)益。雖然商務(wù)合同英文中的句法特點(diǎn)有很多，比如多用陳述句、多用現(xiàn)在時(shí)、多用被動(dòng)語態(tài)、多用名詞性結(jié)構(gòu)等等，但本節(jié)結(jié)合翻譯難點(diǎn)，重點(diǎn)探討長句，尤其是條件從句的特點(diǎn)和翻譯方法。1. 長句及其翻譯與普通英語相比較而言，商務(wù)合同英語中的句子結(jié)構(gòu)就其長度和使用從句

16、的連續(xù)性要復(fù)雜得多。分析合同長句的基本方法是：首先，要找出全句的主語、謂語和賓語,即句子的主干結(jié)構(gòu)；其次，要找出句子中所有的謂語結(jié)構(gòu)、非謂語結(jié)構(gòu)、介詞短語和從句的引導(dǎo)詞，然后再分析從句和短句的功能，即：是否是主語從句、賓語從句、表語從句或狀語從句等，以及詞、短語和從句之間的關(guān)系。最后,分析句子中是否有固定搭配、插入語等其他成分。1) The Buyer may, within 15 days after arrival of the goods at the destination, lodge a claim against the Seller for short-weight being

17、 supported by Inspection Certificate issued by a reputable public surveyor.這是一個(gè)簡單長句，其主干為The Buyer maylodge a claim。修飾謂語動(dòng)詞的狀語有三個(gè)，分別表示時(shí)間（within 15 days after arrival of the goods at the destination）、方式（being supported by Inspection Certificate issued by a reputable public surveyor）和原因（for short-weight

18、）。諸多狀語盡管在原文中位置靈活，然而在譯文里，須按照漢語的行文規(guī)范適當(dāng)進(jìn)行調(diào)整：方式狀語一般應(yīng)置于動(dòng)詞之前；其他狀語可以靈活處理，如本句中的時(shí)間狀語可以提前至句首。(貨物抵達(dá)目的港15天內(nèi)，買方可以憑有信譽(yù)的公共檢驗(yàn)員出示的檢驗(yàn)證明向賣方提出短重索賠。)2）If a Party breaches any of the representations or warranties given by it in Articles 18.1 or repeated in 18.2, then in addition to any other remedies available to the oth

19、er Party under this contract or under Applicable Laws, it shall indemnify and keep indemnified the other Party and the company against any losses, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities and claims that such Party or the Company may suffer as a result of such breach. 本句的主干是it shall indemnify and keep

20、indemnified. against. the other Party and the company。If引導(dǎo)的是條件從句，條件句的賓語部分跟隨后置定語（given by it in Articles 18.1 or repeated in 18.2）。in addition to 引導(dǎo)的是增補(bǔ)成分，其核心詞remedies也跟了后置定語（available to the other Party under this contract or under Applicable Laws）。That引導(dǎo)的則是后置定語修飾緊鄰的五個(gè)名詞?；谝陨戏治?，再結(jié)合漢語的行文習(xí)慣（條件在前，結(jié)構(gòu)在后以

21、及定語在所修飾的核心詞之前），即可翻譯成：如果一方違反任何其根據(jù)第18.1條或18.2條所作的陳述及擔(dān)保或重述,則另一方除根據(jù)本合同或相關(guān)法律尋求任何可能的救濟(jì)之外,違約方應(yīng)當(dāng)賠償另一方或合營公司因此種違反而招致的任何損失、損害、費(fèi)用、開支、責(zé)任或索賠。3）The Seller shall not be responsible for the delay of shipment or non delivery of the goods due to Force Majeure, which might occur during the process of manufacturing or i

22、n the course of loading or transit.上句中信息的重心在句首，先表明賣方的免責(zé)事項(xiàng)，接著再規(guī)定由于什么原因引起的不能交貨或延遲交貨才會(huì)免責(zé)，后對(duì)不可抗力又做了限定。按照漢語的思維習(xí)慣，往往先談原因，再講結(jié)論，因此采用顛倒順序的譯法更合理。（凡在制造或裝船運(yùn)輸過程中，因不可抗力致使賣方不能或推遲交貨時(shí)，賣方不負(fù)責(zé)任。）2、 條件句及其翻譯商務(wù)合同主要約定合同各方應(yīng)享有的權(quán)利和應(yīng)履行的義務(wù)，但由于這種權(quán)利的行使和義務(wù)的履行均賦有各種條件，所以條件句的大量使用成為商務(wù)合同的一個(gè)特點(diǎn)。條件句多由下列連接詞引導(dǎo)：if, in the event of, in case (

23、of), should, provided (that), subject to, unless otherwise等。比如：If the third party accuses the Party B of infringement, Party B shall take up the matter（如果第三方指控乙方侵權(quán)，乙方應(yīng)負(fù)責(zé)）1）In the event of any loss caused by the delay in the delivery, the Representative can claim a compensation from the Manufacturer

24、with a certificate and detailed list registered by the administration authorities of the Representatives site.（若因任何交貨延誤導(dǎo)致的代理方損失，代理方可憑代理方所在地行政當(dāng)局登記的損失清單向制造方索賠，但須出具證明。）2）Should all or part of the contract be unable to be fulfilled owing to the fault of one party, the breaching party shall bear the resp

25、onsibilities thus caused. Should it be the fault of both parties, they shall bear their respective responsibilities according to actual situations.（由于一方的過失，造成本合同不能履行或不能完全履行時(shí)，由過失一方承擔(dān)違約責(zé)任。若屬雙方過失，則根據(jù)實(shí)際情況，由雙方分別承擔(dān)各自應(yīng)負(fù)的違約責(zé)任。）1） Either Side can replace the representatives it has appointed provided that it

26、submits a written notice to the other Side.（任何一方都可更換自己指派的代表，但須書面通知對(duì)方。）歸納上述各例，除了句（Either Side can replace the representatives it has appointed provided that it submits a written notice to the other Side ）以外，條件句均置于主句之前，英譯漢時(shí)譯成“如果”或“若”即可。而當(dāng)條件句置于主句之后時(shí)，在翻譯這些引導(dǎo)條件句的連詞或短語時(shí)，可按動(dòng)態(tài)等值理論視具體情況而定，切勿生搬硬套。該句中的provided

27、 that表示合同該條款需作進(jìn)一步規(guī)定或在作規(guī)定時(shí)語氣上的轉(zhuǎn)折，因而應(yīng)譯為“但是”才使譯文過渡自然，符合漢語的表達(dá)規(guī)范，達(dá)到功能對(duì)等的效果。二、 譯例文本Purchase ContractThis contract is made on the _ day of _ 20 _ _ , by and between¹ _ Ltd (hereinafter² referred to as the Seller) and_ Company (hereinafter referred to as the Buyer). Through friendly negotiation, b

28、oth Parties have hereby agreed on the terms and conditions stipulated hereunder:1. Contract Products: _2. Specification: _3. Quantity: _4. Unit Price: _5. Total Value:_ F.O.B³6. Country of Origin: _7. Shipping Marks: _8. Shipment: _ To be shipped on or before _subject to acceptable Letter of Cr

29、edit (L/C) reaches Sellers before the end of _, and partial shipments allowed, transshipment allowed.9. Grace Period: Should4 last shipment have to be extended for fulfilment of this contract, the Buyer shall give the Seller a grace period of 30 days upon submitting evidence by the Seller.10. Insura

30、nce: To be effected by the Buyer.11. Packing: In new Kraft paper bags of _kg/bag or in wooden cases of _kg/case, free of charge.12. Payment: The Buyer shall open a 100% confirmed, irrevocable, divisible and negotiable and partial shipment permitted Letter of Credit5 in favor of the Seller within 5 c

31、alendar days from the date of the agreement through the Issuing Bank. The L/C shah be drawn against draft at sight upon first presentation of the following documents: (1) Full set of Seller's Commercial Invoices; (2) Full set of clean, blank, endorsed Bill of Lading6; (3) Inspection Certificates

32、 of quality and weight.13. Notice of Readiness: The Buyer shall advise the Seller by telex the scheduled time of arrival of cargo vessel at least seven days prior to the arrival of the vessel at the loading port.14. Performance Guarantee: (1) Upon receipt of Buyer' s Irrevocable L/C by the Advis

33、ing Bank, the Seller shall perform a Performance Guarantee representing _ % of the L/C value. (2) The Performance Guarantee shall be returned in full to the Seller after completion of shipment and delivery of the contracted goods. In case of non-delivery of ( all or part) of the goods for reasons ot

34、her than those specified in clause 12, the Performance Guarantee shall be forfeited in favor of the Buyer in proportion to the quantity in default. (3) Should the Buyer breach the contract or fail to open the L/C in favor of the Seller within the period specified in clause 9 (except for clause 12),

35、the Buyer has to pay the Seller the same value as the Performance Guarantee. (4) The Letter of Credit must fulfill all the terms and conditions of this contract. The terms of the L/C should be clear, fair and made payable to the Seller. Upon acceptance of L/C by the Advising Bank, the Advising Bank

36、shah send the Performance Guarantee to the Issuing Bank.15. Force Majeure7: The Seller or the Buyer shall not be responsible for non-delivery or breach of contract for any reason due to Force Majeure incidents. In case the time of delivery or shipment has to be extended, the Buyer or the Seller shal

37、l have to provide evidence for such event.16. Arbitration: All disputes or divergences arising from the execution of the contract shah be settled through friendly discussion between both Parties. In case no settlement can be reached, the case at issue shall then be submitted for arbitration to the C

38、hina International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission8 in accordance with the provisions of the said Commission. The award by the said Commission shall be deemed as final and binding upon both Parties. The Arbitration fee shah be borne by the losing Party. In course of Arbitration, the contra

39、ct shah continuously be executed by both Parties except for the part under Arbitration.17. Currency Devaluation: In the event of any official devaluation of U. S. Currency, the Seller reserves the right to readjust the contract price in proportion to the devaluation ratio.18. Valid Period: This cont

40、ract will automatically become null and void should the Buyer fail to open a L/C in favor of the Seller within seven days after signing this contract. 4 However, the Buyer shall still be responsible for the payment of compensation in accordance with the terms in clause 11, items 2 and 3.This contrac

41、t is made in duplicate, both Parties have read carefully and agreed to abide by all the terms and conditions stipulated. The contract is signed by both Parties in the presence of witnesses.Seller: Buyer: Witnesses:（一）譯前準(zhǔn)備² 詞匯提示10 / 10hereinafter adv. 在下文stipulate v. 規(guī)定specification n. 規(guī)格confirm

42、 vt. 確認(rèn)；保兌kraft n. 牛皮紙irrevocable adj. 不可撤銷的divisible adj. 可分割的negotiable adj. 可轉(zhuǎn)讓的in favor of somebody 以.為受益人endorse v. 背書；為.代言guarantee n. 保證金non-delivery n. 無法交貨forfeit vt. 沒收in proportion to 按.比例default n. 不履行、違約breach vt./n 違反、不履行arbitration n. 仲裁dispute n. 糾紛、爭(zhēng)端divergence n. 分歧、歧異in accordance

43、 with 依據(jù)、按照provision n. 規(guī)定award n./vt. 裁決；授予、判給arbitral award 仲裁裁決statute n. 法令、法規(guī)ratio n. 利率valid adj. 有效的null adj. 無效的void adj. 無效的compensation n. 補(bǔ)償術(shù)語unit price 單價(jià)shipping mark 嘜頭letter of credit (L/C) 信用證 grace period 優(yōu)惠期限issuing bank 開證行advising bank 通知（銀）行bill of lading (B/L) 貨運(yùn)提單to be drawn a

44、gainst draft at sight 見票即付commercial invoice 商業(yè)發(fā)票inspection certificate 檢驗(yàn)證明performance guarantee 履約保證金force majeure 不可抗力losing party 敗訴方（二）翻譯討論1. By and between，“由.和.間”。英文中常用并列短語來使意思的表達(dá)更為正式嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)，在平時(shí)應(yīng)留心這種英文表達(dá)。再如14.（4）中的“terms and conditions”表示“合同條款”，18中的null and void表示“無效”。2. 合同常常采用部分古詞來增強(qiáng)其文體的正式程度，這樣不僅

45、能使句子結(jié)構(gòu)緊湊，而且增強(qiáng)了雨衣的邏輯銜接和連貫。該句使用的hereinafter、hereby、hereunder在法律文本中經(jīng)常出現(xiàn)，可分別譯為：“在下文中”、“特此”和“如下的”。3. F. O. B為Free On Board的縮寫?，F(xiàn)代國際貿(mào)易中最常用的三種價(jià)格術(shù)語除F. O. B（裝運(yùn)港船上交貨價(jià)）外，還有C. F. R（目的港成本加運(yùn)費(fèi)價(jià)Cost and Freight）和C. I. F（目的港成本加保險(xiǎn)費(fèi)運(yùn)費(fèi)價(jià)Cost, Insurance and Freight）。這三種術(shù)語規(guī)定賣方交貨地點(diǎn)為裝運(yùn)港，以越過船舷為劃分雙方風(fēng)險(xiǎn)的界限。4. Should引起的假設(shè)狀語從句，相當(dāng)于in case從句，漢譯時(shí)一般翻譯成“若.（發(fā)生）”。5. L/C為當(dāng)今國際貿(mào)易中的主要貨款支付方式，即信用證結(jié)算。6. Clean Bill of Lading：清潔提單。指貨物在裝船后承運(yùn)人