商务合同翻译.docx

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1、商务英语翻译之合同翻译整理：福瑞传北京翻译第一节商务合同的根底知识第二节商务英语翻译的词汇特点及翻译要点第三节商务英语翻译的句法特点及翻译要点第四节 商务英语翻译第五节商务合同的翻译1第一节 商务英语翻译的根底知识一、概念与文体二、分类与构造三、商务合同的主要内容2第一节 商务合同的根底知识l 一、概念与文体(1)l 虽然国内外对合同的定义各不一样但都有一个共同点：A contract is an agreement, whi legally binds the parties concerned。比方99?合同法?规定Contacts referred to in this Law are

2、agreements establishing, modifying and terminating the civil rights and obligations between subjects of equal footing, that is, between natural persons, legal persons or other organizations。3l 在由Steven H. Gifts编著的“Law Dictionary中contract被定义为 “a promise, or a set of promises, for brea of whi the law

3、gives remedy, or the performance of the whi the law in some way recognize as a duty.l 根据这一定义合同是一种承诺违犯承诺可以得到法律救助在某种意义上法律将履行该承诺看作是一种补偿。综上可见合同是平等主体之间设立确实定民事权利和义务的法律协议。4第一节 商务合同的根底知识l 一、概念与文体(2)l 商务合同是依法成立的法律性自有其特殊的文体特征。通常所谓的“文体style是指人们运用语言时总是根据一定的交际内容、交际目的和交际场合来选取一定的表达形式即所谓的语言风格；这种风格既要适应交际对象又受到特定语言环境的

4、制约。根据语言学家Martin Joos1962年的分类合同英语属于庄重文体the frozen style是各种英语文体中正式程度的一种。总体来说这种正式性表达在内容的专业性、语言的严谨性和构造的完好性等方面。5第一节 商务合同的根底知识l 二、分类与构造(1)l 根据当事人之间的权利和义务关系主要可做如下分类：l Contracts for International Sale of Goodsl Contracts for International Tenology Transferl Contracts for Sino-foreign Joint Venturesl Contrac

5、ts for Sino-foreign Contractual Joint Venturesl Contracts for International Engineering Projectsl Contracts for pensation Tradel Contracts for Sino-foreign Cooperation Development of Natural Resourcesl Contracts for Foreign Labor Servicesl Contracts for International Leasing Affairsl Contracts for S

6、ino-foreign Credits and Loansl Contracts for International Build-Operate-Transfer等。6第一节 商务合同的根底知识l 二、分类与构造(2)l 按照格式的繁简程度的不同国际商务合同可以采取正式合同Contract、协议书Agreement、确认书Confirmation、备忘录Memorandum、定单Order等书面形式。在合同签订和履行过程中当事人之间往来的信、电子邮件、电报等也是合同的组成部同样具有一定的法律效力。但是为了顺利、准确无误地完成合同的履行保护当事人各方的合法权益所有商业往来应以合同、协议书和确认书

7、的订立为前提和根底。7片8第一节 商务合同的根底知识l 二、分类与构造(3)l 从构造上看国际商务合同一般包含如下四个部1详细说明如下：l 一合同名称Title：即合同标题说明合同的内容和性质。l 二2Preamble：A. 订约日和地点；B. 合同当事人及其国籍、主营业所或住所；C. 当事人合法根据；D. 订约缘由/说明条款l 三正文Main Body：A. 一般条款General Terms and Conditions；B. 特殊条款3Other Conditions。l 四结尾条款WITNESS Clause：A. 结尾语；B. 签名Signature；C. 盖印Seal。8片9l 1

8、 当然格式和内容并非一成不变当事人可以根据各自交易情况做出调整或增删。l 2 从构造上讲本条属于“部；但从内容上讲又属于合同的一般条款。l 3所谓“特殊条款是指只有在某些特定性质的合约中才会出现的条款例如合资契约中通常会约定当事人合资成立的由谁来理董事与人由谁来担任等等问题但是抵押契约就不会有这些约定。反过来说抵押契约中一定要记载的抵押品工程、抵押限等等在合资契约中就不会出现。再如由于当事人双方来自不同背景各自对某些关键词的解释和使用也不完全一样就有必要在合同中添加“定义条款Definition Clause把相关的重要词汇、专有名词和术语加以解释和说明以确定其含义。9片10第一节 商务合同的

9、根底知识l 三、商务合同的主要内容 l 合同的内容由当事人约定；结合1999?合同法?2条的规定合同的主要内容一般包含以下条款：l ATitles or names of the parties and the domiciles thereof；l BDate and place of signature of the contract；l CType of the contract and the kind, scope of the subject matter of the contract；l DTenical conditions, quality, standard, speci

10、fications and quantities of the subject matter of the contract；l ETime limit, place and method of performance；l FTerms of price, amount and way of payment and various additional arges；l GWhether the contract could be assigned or conditions for assignment；l Hpensation and other liabilities for brea o

11、f the contract；l IWays of settlement of disputes in case of disputes arising from the contract；l JLanguages to be used in the contract and their effectiveness。10片11第二节 合同英语的词汇特点及翻译要点l 商务合同属于庄重文体用词极其讲究具有特定性和严肃的风格。总体上看合同的词汇特点表达在以下两大方面：l 一、用词专业具有法律意味professional or legall 二、用词正式、准确formal and accurate11

12、片12第二节 合同英语的词汇特点及翻译要点l 一、用词专业具有法律意味professional or legall 一根据不同的专业来确定词义。比方：l 1The premium rates vary with differed interests insured.l 2If the buyer fails to pay any account when due, the buyer shall be liable to pay the seller overdue interest on su unpaid amount from the due date until the actual

13、date of payment at the rate of five percent per annum, su overdue interest shall be paid on demand of the seller. l 3The articles of our immediate interest are your “ON-HOI brand Agricultural Washing Maines.12片13l 1The premium rates vary with differed interests insured.l 2If the buyer fails to pay a

14、ny account when due, the buyer shall be liable to pay the seller overdue interest on su unpaid amount from the due date until the actual date of payment at the rate of five percent per annum, su overdue interest shall be paid on demand of the seller. l 3The articles of our immediate interest are you

15、r “ON-HOI brand Agricultural Washing Maines.l 以上三句均含有“interest一词但是由于行业背景的不同其意义也大相径庭。第一句出自业意思是“被的货物；第二句源于国际贸易意思是“一方由于未能支付到的应付款项而向另一方支付的利息；而第三句属于营销业此时的interest那么应译成“对、品牌感兴趣。由此可见在合同翻译过程中要特别注意专业性的问题。13片14第二节 合同英语的词汇特点及翻译要点l 一、用词专业具有法律意味professional or legall 二注意合同本身的术语l 合同自身也有大量具有法律特性的合同术语。比方“权利和义务right

16、s and obligations)、“仲裁( arbitration、“终止termination、“不可抗力force majeure、“辖jurisdiction等。这些专业或法律术语的语义相对固定单一通常无法用其他词语代替任何人在任何情况下都必须对它们作同一解释。所以在翻译的过程中译者要对这些词语在一般文体中和法律文体中的意义进展区分。例如：14片15二注意合同本身的术语l 请再看以下几例：l 4Contractor shall assure full responsibility for the entire project work until its acceptance. (初

17、始译文：在工程接收之前承包方应对工程承担全部责任。)l 5Full set clean on board marine Bill of Lading issued to the order of the shipper and blank endorsed. (初始译文：承运人签发的全套整洁、已装船的海运提单空白背书。)l 6The payment shall be made by confirmed. irrevocable and documentary LC. (初始译文：付款方式为经确认的、不可撤销的、书面信誉证。)l 在以上三句中acceptance、clean、to the ord

18、er of、confirmed和documentary的翻译均未能完全表示合同意思这些词的中文完好意思分别是“验收、“清洁、“以为抬头、“保兑的和“跟单。由以上各例可见由于对商务合同中专业词汇的错误理解和翻译从而传达了一种错误信息从而可能引发法律纠纷。15片16第二节 合同英语的词汇特点及翻译要点l 一、用词专业具有法律意味professional or legall 三注意一些以here、there或where等作前缀的副词。l 这些虚词的使用使得句子简练、严谨从而显示出该类语言正规、严肃、权威等文体特征。下表中的词语均是约定俗成的特殊用语。一个简单的理解是：here代表thisthere代

19、表thatwhere代表what/whi。比方：l 7) We hereby certify to the best of our knowledge that the foregoing statement is true and correct and all available information and data has been splies herein, and that we agree to show you documentary proof on your request.l 从语法的角度分析本句中hereby的语法功能为副词在这句中是强调所说明、证明的内容因此可译为

20、“特此。16片17一、用词专业具有法律意味professional or legal三注意一些以here、there或where等作前缀的副词。l 除了语法分析法之外还可以运用奈达的动态等值理将前后语篇综合起来考虑并寻求适宜的、最对等的词意用旧体词来保持商务合同的庄重、严肃的文体风格比方：l 8) The undersigned hereby certify that the goods to be splied are made in USA.以下签署人兹保证所供应之货物系在国内制造。l 9) The titles to the articles are for convenience of

21、 reference only, not part of this contract and shall not in any way effect the interpretation thereof. l 在前一句中“hereby一词翻译成了“兹这是一个经常在中文商务合同中使用的词符合法律文书的文体特征。另外两个旧体词“之和“系显示合同翻译风格正式而紧凑的典型特点；在后一个例子中根据上下文来看“thereof一词的意思是“of the said contract译为“本合同的。此句中的“thereof相当于“of that然而奈达的动态等值理的原那么是用最适宜的对等词来表达源出语的意义所以

22、“that可以用“the said contract来代替。如将“the said contract综合全句来看那么其最对等的译文为“上述内容。 17片18第二节 合同英语的词汇特点及翻译要点l 一、用词专业具有法律意味professional or legall 四注意may、shall、should、will、may not、shall not等词语的法律内涵l May、shall、should、will、may not、shall not等词确实很常见但是在合同中这些词具有特殊的意义所以翻译起来要极其慎重防止引起纠纷。l a.May：在表示合同上的权利Right、权限或特权Privile

23、ge的场合中使用。假设表示某种权利在法律上具有强迫性的时候更多的是“be entitled。l b.Shall：在合同中并不是单纯的将来时一般用它来表示法律上可以强迫执行的义务Obligation。如未履行即视为违约并构成某种赔偿责任。所以shall在译文里通常表示“应该或“必须当然也有不翻译的时候。例如： 18片19l 10) The parties hereto shall, first of all, settle any dispute arising from or in connection with the contract by friendly negotiations. S

24、hould su negotiations fail, su dispute may be referred to the Peoples Court having jurisdiction on su dispute for settlement in the absence of any arbitration clause in the disputed contract or in default of agreement reaed after su dispute occurs. l 双方首先应通过友好协商解决因合同而发生的或与合同有关的争议。假设协商未果合同中又无仲裁条款约定或争

25、议发生后未就仲裁达成协议的可将争议提交有辖权的人民解决。l 上句中的shall 和may表达准确。出现争议后应行协商所以采用了义务性“约定shall假设协商解决不了作为当事人的权利那么用选择性“约定may。 19片20l 11The quality and prices of the modities to be exanged between the ex-importers in the two countries shall be acceptable to both sides. 货物的质量和价格必须使进出口双方都能承受。l 12The formation of this contra

26、ct, its validity, interpretation, execution and settlement of the disputes shall be governed by related laws of the Peoples Republic of ina.本合同的订立、效力、解释、履行和争议的解决均受法律的辖。shall没有译出。20片21l c.Should：在合同中通常只用来表示语气较弱的假设多翻译成“万一或“假设极少译成“应该。l 13The board meeting shall be convened and presided over by the airm

27、an. Should the airman be absent, the vice-airman shall, in principle, convene and preside over the board meeting.会议应由董事长召集、主持；假设董事长缺席原那么上应由副董事长召集、主持。21片22l d.Will：一般使用在没有法律强迫的情况下也用做表示承担义务的声明但语气和强迫力比Shall弱。l e.May not或shall not：用于制止性义务即“不得做。 22片23第二节 合同英语的词汇特点及翻译要点l 二、用词正式、准确formal and accuratel 具有法律

28、效力的商务合同用词都很正式、防止口语化。如：l The Licensee will notify the Licensor and shall assist the Licensor in taking su action as the Licensor deems appropriate。l 显然, 该句中的notify、assist、deem比同义词inform、help、think更为正式。假设句中接连出现这类词语其风格自然显得郑重、严肃具有浓重的正式文体色彩。l 再比方：The term “Effective date means the date on whi this Agreem

29、ent is duly executed by the parties hereto。l 该句中的execute较sign正式。23片24第二节 合同英语的词汇特点及翻译要点l 二、用词正式、准确formal and accuratel 一注意介词或介词短语的翻译l 14The participants in the Joint Venture shall mence discussion with regard to the extension of the period of existence of the Venture and in the event of their agreei

30、ng on su extension, they shall record su agreement in a written document signed by all of them not later than three years prior to the expiry of the current period.l 就本合资企业的存续时限的延问题各方应进展讨；一旦各方就此达成一致应形成书面协议由各方在本合同限到之前的三年内签字生效。l 本句中用with regard toin the event of和prior to分别代替aboutin case of和before。当然商务

31、英语词语选择中的正式性与非正式性是相对而言的且无优劣之分一切需视详细的使用场合而定。24片25l 15These articles shall apply to documentary credits, including stand by letters of credit, to the extent to whi the credits in question shall be applicable, and shall be binding on the Parties to the Contract, unless otherwise expressly agreed by the

32、Parties thereto.l 本条文适用于一切跟单信誉证并包括在其适用范围内的备用信誉证对合同各有关方面均具有约束力除非另有约定。l 本句中的unless otherwise比if not和 otherwise表达正式。该词由两个同义词 unless和otherwise组成otherwise有代词作用后面一般跟动词的过去分词限定意为“除非另；再如“unless otherwise specified in the Contract / the Letter of Credit 即可译为“除非合同/信誉证另有规定。25片26l 16On the FOB basis, the Buyer s

33、hall book shipping space in accordance with the date of shipment specified in the contract.l 按照FOB条件由买方负责根据合同规定的装运日洽定舱位。l 同under、pursuant to一样上例中的in accordance with是法律中常用的词汇均作“根据、“按照解比according to正式。26片27第二节 合同英语的词汇特点及翻译要点l 二、用词正式、准确formal and accuratel 二注意词语并列的现象juxtapositionl 国际商务合同力求正式而准确防止可能出现的误

34、解或分歧所以同义词近义词并列的现象非常普遍。有时候是出于严谨和杜绝破绽的考虑有时候也属于合同用语的固定形式。比方terms在合同中一般指付款或费用手续费、佣金等有关金钱的条件而conditions那么指其它条件但是“terms and conditions常常作为固定形式在合同中出现就不宜分译成“条件和条款而直接合译成“条款。再如：27片28l 17This agreement is made and entered into by and between Party A and Party B。l 18The amendments to or alteration of this contr

35、act bee effect only after they are signed by parties hereto and approved by the original approving authorities.l 19If the contract shall duly perform and observe all terms, provisions, conditions and stipulations of the said contract, the otherwise shall be remain in full force and effect.28片29l 对于合

36、同中出现的同义词、近义词、相关词的并列现象翻译时应仔细考虑单词的内涵、合同文体以及句法要求等相关因素。这里可以利用尤金奈达的“动态对等理。所谓动态对等就是译文与原文在效果或功能上到达对等即译文读者的理解与感受与原文读者的理解与感受根本一致与动态对等相对的是形式对等即强调语言形式的对应。l 在以上三句中“made and entered into、“amendments to and alteration of 、“terms, provisions, conditions and stipulations、“force and effect是几组同义词。根据动态对等的译法它们的译文分别是“签订

37、、“修改、“各项规定和“生效 如不采用这种译法而是逐字翻译势必会使译文显得罗嗦而难以理解总之译者应时刻牢记中英文的各种表达法来确保原文和译文可能地对应起来真正做到准确严谨和通顺。29片30l 类似的表达还有：any and all全部、any duties, obligations or liabilities所有责任、applicable laws, regulations, decrees, directives, and rules适用法律法规、arges, fees, costs and expenses各种费用、covenants and agreements合同协议、customs

38、 and usages惯例、free and clear of无、import duty and tax进口税捐、keep secret and confidential、licenses and permits容许、null and void无效、packing and wrapping expenses包装费、rights and interests权益、settle claims and debts清理债务、ships and vessels船只、sign and issue签发、sport and maintenance维护、use and wont习惯惯例等等。 30片31第三节 合

39、同英语的句法特点及翻译要点l 假设说商务合同的用词具有专业、准确、正式的特点那么商务合同的句法那么有构造严谨、句式较长的特点。句子的状语从句和定语从句等附加成分很多且往往位置明显对主句意义进展解释、限制或补充一那么可以表达这种文体庄严的风格、严谨的构造和明晰的逻辑；二那么便于排除被曲解、误解而出现歧义引发争端的可能性维护双方的合法权益。虽然商务合同英文中的句法特点有很多比方多用陈述句、多用如今时、多用被动语态、多用名词性构造等等但本节结合翻译难点重点讨长句尤其是条件从句的特点和翻译。l 一、长句及其翻译l 二、条件句及其翻译31片32第三节 合同英语的句法特点及翻译要点l 一、长句及其翻译l

40、与普通英语相比较而言商务合同英语中的句子构造就其长度和使用从句的连续性要复杂得多。分析合同长句的根本是：首先要找出全句的主语、谓语和宾语,即句子的主干构造；其次要找出句子中所有的谓语构造、非谓语构造、介词短语和从句的引导词然后再分析从句和短句的功能即：是否是主语从句、宾语从句、表语从句或状语从句等以及词、短语和从句之间的关系。最后,分析句子中是否有固定搭配、插入语等其他成分。32片33l 20) The Buyer may, within 15 days after arrival of the goods at the destination, lodge a claim against t

41、he Seller for short-weight being sported by Inspection Certificate issued by a reputable public surveyor.l 这是一个简单长句其主干为The Buyer maylodge a claim。修饰谓语动词的状语有三个分示时间within 15 days after arrival of the goods at the destination、方式being sported by Inspection Certificate issued by a reputable public survey

42、or和原因for short-weight。诸多状语尽在原文中位置灵敏然而在译文里须按照汉语的行文适当进展调整：方式状语一般应置于动词之前；其他状语可以灵敏处理如本句中的时间状语可以提早至句首。l 货物抵达目的港15天内买方可以凭有信誉的公共检验员出示的检验证明向卖方提出短重索赔。33片34l 21If a Party breaes 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 av

43、ailable to the other Party under this contract or under Applicable Laws, it shall indemnify and keep indemnified the other Party and the pany against any losses, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities and claims that su Party or the pany may suffer as a result of su brea. l 本句的主干是it shall indemnify a

44、nd keep indemnified. against. the other Party and the pany。If引导的是条件从句条件句的宾语部跟随后置定语given by it in Articles 18.1 or repeated in 18.2。in addition to 引导的是增补成分其核心词remedies也跟了后置定语available to the other Party under this contract or under Applicable Laws。That引导的那么是后置定语修饰紧邻的五个名词。以上分析再结合汉语的行文习惯条件在前构造在后以及定语在所修

45、饰的核心词之前即可翻译成文。34片35l 21If a Party breaes 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 other Party under this contract or under Applicable Laws, it shall indemnify and keep indemnified the other Part

46、y and the pany against any losses, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities and claims that su Party or the pany may suffer as a result of su brea.l35片36l 22The Seller shall not be responsible for the delay of shipment or non delivery of the goods due to Force Majeure, whi might occur during the process of manufacturing or in the course of loading or transit.l 上句中信息的重心在句首先说明卖方的免责事项接着再规定由于原因引起的不能交货或延迟交货才会免责后对不可抗力又做了限定。按照汉语的思维习惯往往先谈原因再讲结因此采用颠倒顺序的译法更合理。l 凡在制造或装船运输过程中因不可抗力致使卖方不能或推延交货时卖方不负责任。36片37第三节 合同英语的句法特点及翻译要点l 二、条件句及其翻译l 商务合同主要约定合同各方应享有的权利和应履行的义务但由于这种权利的行使和义务的履行均赋有各种条件所以条件句的大量