★以下是⽆忧考英⽂写作翻译频道为⼤家整理的《商务英语学习-国际商务合同中的⽤词》,供⼤家参考。更多内容请看本站频道。present的同义词
国际商务合同中的词语是构成合同⽂本最基本的单位。对合同⽂本中的⼀些单词词义的正确选择,是翻译合同⽂书的前提和基础。如果选择的词义不确切,整篇译⽂就难以理解。在翻译合同⽂件时,会涉及到经济、法律、贸易、⾦融、技术等领域的专业词汇,这些词汇在不同的合同条款和上下⽂中的表达和词义有很⼤区别。即使在同⼀专业中的词义都有很⼤区别,因此我们必须仔细推敲,选择最确切的词义。例如:cover⼀词,作为动词讲⼀般都理解为“包括”,例如:The prices quoted in the brochure cover packing and are subject to 35%trade discount,可译为:“⼩册⼦所报的价格包括包装费在内,可有35%的商业折扣。”但以下的含有cover的句⼦,就不能将cover译成“包括”:
(1) No doubt there must have been some reason for the delay in shipment. To cover this contingency we cabled you On Mar.29 that we were extending the letter of credit for two weeks.
句中的cover应理解为“应付”,全句可译成:
⽆疑,⼀定有某种致使装船延误的原因。为应付这⼀意外事件,我⽅已于3⽉29⽇电告你⽅,将信⽤证延期两周。
(2)If Party A insists on ifs original quotation. Party B will have to cover its requirements elsewhere
句中的cover指“购进货物”,全句可译成:
如果甲⽅坚持原报价,则⼄⽅只能从其他⽅⾯购进其需要的货物。
(3)In order to cover our order, we have arranged with the Bank of China, Dalian Branch, a credit for USD
55,000.
句中的cover在这⾥表⽰“偿付”,全句可译成:
为⽀付我⽅订货,我⽅已联系中国银⾏⼤连分⾏开⽴55,000美元的信⽤证。
(4)Party B shall cover the goods with particular average.
句中的cover在这⾥的含义为:to insure sth against loss,全句可译成:
⼄⽅将对该货物投保⽔渍险。
英译汉是如此,汉译英时也应该注意同类的问题。请看下⾯的句⼦:
如在解释上有分歧,应以英⽂本为准。
该句中的“解释”在汉英词典上可以有多种选择,如:explanation,construe,exposition,interpretation,但该句中的“解释”是对依法成⽴的合同条款的正式性解释,应选择interpretation,全句可译成:
In case Of any divergence Of interpretations, the English text shall prevail.
以上例⼦仅是选择词义的⼀个⽅⾯。本单元就合同翻译时经常碰到的词义处理问题,归纳为三个⽅⾯:同义词的选择,⼀词多义的问题,容易混淆的词的处理。现分述如下:
1. Choice of Synonyms同义词的选择
同义词在英语中为数不少,在合同英语中也时常出现,翻译时必须作出正确选择。否则,如果同义词选⽤不当,轻者会影响双⽅的权利义务;重者可能造成履约争议。同义词的选择,通常从以下⼏⽅⾯着⼿:
1) Considering the Connotation根据单词的内进⾏选择
合同中出现的同义词,从字⾯理解仿佛没有很⼤区别,但仔细研究其内涵就会发现,它们在表现出共性的同时,也体现着它们的个性。这就要求译者必须深⼈细致地精研其本质的区别,选出最恰当的单词。
例如,合同中经常出现的to perform a contract, to fulfill a contract, to execute a contract, to implement a contract,这些短语都可以表⽰“履⾏合同”,从字⾯上看都对。然⽽在具体的合同条款中,表⽰履⾏不同的合同义务时,其⽤法是有区别的。
「例1」
关于79HP⼀106号合同项下尚未执⾏的180公吨NY2⼀11低密度聚⼄烯,我们仍然认为贵⽅应尽快开证以保证履⾏合同。我们提请贵⽅注意,the Adviser Inc.和贵⽅同时向我⽅购买NY2—11低密度聚⼄烯,他们已经在我⽅主动调价后不久履⾏了原合同,⽽且⼜和我们签订了较⼤数量的新合同。
With respect to the outstanding 180 M/r of low-density polyethylene NY2—11 under Contract No.79HP⼀106,we insist that you must open the covering letter of credit the soonest possible to secure the performance of the contract. We hereby would like to call your attention to the fact that the Adviser Inc. , Who purchased LDPE NY2—11 from us at the same time as you did have fulfilled their commitment under the previous Contract not long after we offered our regulated price and signed a new contract covering substantial quantity.
该句⼦出现的“履⾏”分别使⽤了perform和fulfill.我们⾸先研究⼀下这对同义词的内涵:perform的法律含义是:to do what one party is obliged to do by a contract; fulfill的法律含义是:t0 do everything w
hich is promised in a contract.其次,再研究⼀下合同各⽅应履⾏的合同义务:涉外合同⼀经⽣效,双⽅当事⼈必须全⾯地、适当地履⾏合同中的义务,但是具体对某⼀⽅合同当事⼈来讲,就是履⾏合同中最属于他应该履⾏的那部分责任和义务。⽐如,在国际货物销售合同中,对买⽅来说,“履⾏合同”的概念就是payment,当然与payment有关的义务还有采⽤何种⽅式和⽀付⼯具付款等。如果该合同的价格条件是FOB 的话,买⽅还要负责租船订舱,⽀付运费,并将船期、船号及时通知卖⽅等。因此,如果强调合同的⼀⽅履⾏合同与所规定的该⽅的那部分具体义务相同,应该是fulfill a contract.如果是泛指双⽅在合同中的各项责任和义务都应得到履⾏,则选⽤perform a contract较合适。⼜如:The Contractor shall fulfill all of its duties and obligations in carrying out its work and services hereunder(承租⼈必须忠实信守和履⾏下列各项规则)。
「例2」合同在有效期内,双⽅对合同产品涉及的技术如有改进和发展,应相互免费将改进和发展的技术资料提供给对⽅使⽤。
Within the validity term of the Contract, both parties shall supply each other with the improvement and development of the technology related to the Contract Products free of charge.
该句的谓语动词“提供”⼀词⽤了supply,就不如provide确切。尽管这两个词都表⽰“供给”,但在牵涉到⾦钱时,provide则表⽰to give sb sth free of charge, supply则不太明确,⼀般来说需要给钱。因此,该条款虽然明确了free of charge,但⽤provide更恰当。
「例3」改进和开发的技术,其所有权属于改进和开发⼀⽅。
这⼀条的重点主要规定改进后的技术专有权归属问题,所以该句中正确地选择“属于”⼀词是很关键的。有⼈选择belong to,也有⼈选择possess,还有⼈⽤own,这三个词均可以表⽰“属于”。我们分析⼀下这三个词的内涵,belong t0的含义是
指“属于……财产”;possess和own虽然都着重于“所属关系”,但possess只指⽬前属于某⼈,并没有讲是如何得到的;⽽own 含有“对……合法占有”,与原⽂意思⼀致,故把这⼀条款译成:
The improved and developed technology shall be owned by the party who has improved and developed the technology.
如果将“属于”改⽤belong to,其主语就应该是ownership,表⽰“所有权属于……”,因为the improved and developed technology属于“知识产权”,⽽这种权利与物质财产有直接联系。这样,该句还可以调整如下:
The ownership of any improved and developed technology shall belong to the party who has improved and developed the technology.
「例4」本细则的解释权,属于中华⼈民共和国财政部。
句中的“属于”是指power 0r right will be present or vested in sb or a body,故应选⽤reside in.全句译成:
The right of interpreting the detailed Rules and Regulations resides in the Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China.
2) Considering the Grammar根据句法要进⾏选择
有些英语同义词的选择,是由句⼦的结构和搭配所要求的,这时译者应认真研究这些同义词的搭配关系,避免出现句法搭配上的错误。
「例5」合资经营企业的⼀切活动应遵守中华⼈民共和国法律。
这⼀条款中“遵守”⼀词,英语中有observe, obey, abide by, comply with等,在选择表⽰“遵守”的词汇时,应根据句⼦搭配关系进⾏选择。本句⼦中的主语是activity,汉语翻译时应选择comply with,表⽰to act in accordance with a provision,rule, demand,故全句译成:
All the activities of a joint venture shall comply with the provision of laws, decrees and pertinent regulations of the People's Republic of China.
在使⽤observe和abide by时,其主语应该是合同的当事⼈,例如:The Contractor shall observe and abide by all applicable laws, rules and regulations in connection with the Work(承包⽅必须遵守和服从与该项⼯程有关的⼀切适⽤的法律、规章和条例)。
再如,合同经常出现的“由于”,在英语中,常⽤以下⼀组短语来表达:due to, owing to, in view of, because of. considering, in consideration.请⽐较下列句⼦:
(3)Sources suggested that this decline in exports is largely due to a sharp cutback in the credit offered by the Thai government to these countries.
有消息说,这种出⼝下降主要是由于泰国政府向这些国家提供的信贷⼤幅度削减所造成的。
(4) Because of the exceptional demand for electric blankets due to the prolonged cold weather. we are at present out of stock of the make you wish to order.
由于天⽓持续寒冷,电热毯需求量特⼤,你⽅欲订购的制品⽬前正缺货。
以上两句中,由due to引出的短语均属形容词性质的短词,分别在句中作表语和定语,⼀般不引出状语。引出状语,表
⽰“由于”的短语往往选⽤because of和owing to.例如:
(5) Owing to the increasing demand for this type of our products, our stocks have run very low.
由于对此种产品的需求⽇益增长,我⽅的存货已不多了。
(6)In consideration of your consistently good credibility, we can accept payment by D/P.
由于贵公司信誉⼀直很好,我们可以同意以付款单的⽅式接受付款。
句⼦中的in consideration of引出的短语也可以表⽰“由于”,⼀般作状语,⽽后⾯的介词宾语必须是褒义词,⼀般不⽤贬义词。
3) Considering the Style根据合同的⽂体进⾏选择
合同英语属条法英语,其⽂件的基本要求是⽤词规范、正式、符合约定俗成的含义。
在选择同义词时,译者应充分考虑合同⽂本的特点,选择符合合同⽂体的正式的规范的词汇,不能容许在⽂字选择上存在随意性。
「例6」
买⽅须于销售确认书第三条所规定⽇期之前开出本批交易的信⽤证。否则,售⽅有权不经通知取消本
确认书,或接受买⽅对本售货确认书未履⾏的全部或⼀部分,或对因此遭受的损失提出索赔。
原译⽂:
The Buyer shall establish the covering letter of credit before the date specified in Clause Three of this Sales Confirmation, failing which the Seller reserves the right lo rescind without further notice, or to accept whole or any part of this Sales Confirmation not fulfilled by the Buyer, or to lodge a claim for losses sustained. if any.
该句条款中的“有权”,英⽂合同中⼤多选择:to have the right或keep the right,但该句选⽤reserve the right to do sth. ⽐前两种表达更正式,因为reserve本⾝就属条法英语中的专⽤词汇,表⽰to have a specified power of right in law.⽐如,我们经常看到的“版权所有”,⽤英语表达就是All rights reserved.句中的“取消”,英⽂中有cancel, abolish, call off等表达⽅式,⽽本句选⽤rescind专门指cancel a contract or an agreement;句中“提出赔偿”中的“提出”,选⽤了lodge,在合同英语中其宾语只能是a claim或claims,合在⼀起to lodge a claim就是“提出索赔”。如果⽤raise ,put forward ,advance,尽管都可译为“提出”,但都不能准确地表述“提出赔偿”的含义。例如,⽤a claim作raise的宾语,写成raise a claim,意思便成了“提出某项要求”。
「例7」
如⼄⽅在技术资料的交付⽅⾯违约,不应要求甲⽅⽴即⽀付任何专利权使⽤费。
原译⽂:
Party A shall not be asked to pay at once any royalties in default on the part of Party B to the Delivery of Technical Documentation.
该译⽂中的ask应更换为require ,ask和require的意思虽然都是“要求”,但后者更正式;句中的at once应更换为forthwith,因为forthwith是公⽂体,较at once或immediately正式、严谨。例如:The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Joint Venture Company shall be formed forthwith upon satisfaction of the conditions(缔约各⽅确认并同意,⼀旦条件符合,合资经营公司便⽴即组成)。
「例8」
公司的任何⼀⽅未经董事会⼀致通过及中国主管审批部门的批准,不得向第三⽅转让、抵押、出售或以其他⽅式处理其全部或部分投资。若⼀⽅要转让股份,必须遵守以下规定……
句中的“转让”⼀词多数译者选⽤transfer.但我们认为⽤assign更正式,assign/assignment是法律英语,表⽰to transfer property .rights to sb in accordance with laws;⽽transfer/transference仅表⽰to hand over the possession of property
,etc.,因此,本段可译为:
Neither party of the Joint Venture may assign ,pledge ,sell or otherwise dispose of all or part of its investment subscribed to a third party without the unanimous approval of the Board of Directors and consent by the appropriate Cinese Government Approving Departments. In case that assignment is effected by one party ,the following stipulations must be observed.。。
「例9」
如果许可⽅允许任何第三⽅在任何地⽅使⽤本专利或相应的专利,及有关特许产品的⽣产、使⽤和销售的许可证,⽽且其条件⽐本协议规定的条件更优惠,许可⽅应⽴即以书⾯形式将这些优惠许可的细节通知被许可⽅,被许可⽅有接受相同优惠条件的选择权。
原译⽂:
If the Licensor allows any other license under the Patent or their other responding patents to any third party in connection with the manufacture ,Use and sale Of the Licensed Products in any place under such conditions as are more favorable to a licensee than those provided herein, the licensor shall promptly inform the Licensee in written form of the details 0f such other license and the licensee has the choice to adopt equally favorable conditions.
译⽂中的allow(允许,许可)不如⽤grant正式。grant在国际商务合同,尤其在许可证合同中表⽰许可⽅to allow the licensee to…,⽽allow仅表⽰to say that someone can do sth .inform⼀般指传达某种信息和资料,如:He informed his staff that he was going to Spain on business(他告诉⾃⼰的职员,他要去西班⽛出差);notify⽤在合同⽂体中,表⽰正式书⾯通知对⽅与其有关的利益,因此,句中的“通知”应选择notify.前⾯的promptly也应更换为forthwith.句中最后的“选择”应选⽤option,专门⽤于表⽰当事⼈的⼀种“选择权”,尤其指offer to sb of the right to enter into a contract at a later date.例如:The Sellers have the option to deliver 5%more or less of the quantity contracted(卖⽅有按合同规定的数量多交或短交5%的选择权)。
2. Words with Multi-interpretation⼀词多义的处理
在合同英语中,⼀词多义或⼀义多词的现象较为普遍。要透彻理解这些词义,必须结合上下⽂,仔细推敲。合同⽂体具有很强的逻辑性,词与词之间,段与段之间,款与款之间总是相互依存、相互制约的。在翻译时,绝对不能孤⽴地、⽚⾯地和静⽌地去理解条款中的词义,应全⾯地、客观地去理解和选择词义。以reference⼀词为例,它的⼀般词义是“参考”,但它在不同的上下⽂中就有不同的含义。因此,不能仅⽤“参考”⼆字“对号⼊座”。请看下例各句:
(1)Thank you for you r letter reference DT/Zi No.102.of 29th,March.
感谢你⽅3⽉29⽇编号为DT/Zi,No.102的来信。
reference在此例中指“编号” (number which makes it possible to find a document which has been filed)。
(2)We have had only one order from ABC Co. , Ltd. , so we regret we cannot give you a reference from long experience.
我们仅接受ABC有限公司的⼀笔定货,很遗憾我们不能提供具有长期交往经历的资信情况。
reference在此例中指“资信情况” (statement about a company's abilities)。
(3)Reference is made to your Sales Confirmation No.1529.
现谈到你⽅的第1529号销售确认书。
reference在此例中指“谈到” (mentioning or dealing with)。
(4)The Buyers ask for credit and have given the Bank of China ,Beijing as a reference.
买⽅要求记账交易,并提出中国银⾏北京分⾏作为资信备询⼈。
reference在此例中指“咨信备询⼈”(person who reports on someone's character or abilities)。
(5)The Sales Company is given the same power with reference to apportioning the commission.
关于佣⾦的分配问题,应授予销售公司同样的权利。
with reference to在此例中意思为“关于”(about or concerning sb or sth)。
(6) A reference to your records will show that we have more than once asked you to establish L/C against S/C No.2523.
阅你⽅记录可以看出,我⽅已多次催促,要求你⽅对第2523号销售确认书开⽴信⽤证。
reference在此例中指“查阅”。
以上只是含有reference⼀词的部分词义。可见,如果把reference⼀概译为“参考”不仅词不达义,⽽且还会影响条款的效⼒。⼀词多义的选择和确定通常从以下⼏⽅⾯着⼿:
1) Considering the Part of Speech根据词性确定词义
英语中有许多书写形式相同的词,却有着不同的词性,⽽词性不同,意义也有所差异。因此,在翻译
时⾸先要断定这个词在原⽂中的词性,根据词性再进⼀步确定其词义。
「例10」
(1) Arbitration of all questions in dispute under this contract shall be al the choice Of either party and shall be in accordance with the International Arbitration Rules Of American Arbitration Association.
对在合同中⼀切有争议的问题是否付诸仲裁将由任何⼀⽅作出选择,并须按照美国仲裁协会的国际仲裁规则进⾏仲裁。
(2) Our products are manufactured from the choice grades of material and will satisfy you in every respect.
我⽅的产品均⽤上等的原料制成,因此,在各⽅⾯都会使贵⽅满意。
由于以上两句中的choice的词性不同,在词义的确定上也有所不同。第⼀句中的choice是名词,意思为“选择”(act of choosing between two or more possibilities);第⼆句中的choice是形容词,意思为“优质的”(of very good quality)。
「例11」
(1) The prices quoted include a progressive commission ,to be calculated on FOB basis ,o f 2%for a single order for 10 dozen or up 3%for 30 dozen or up.
所报价格包括累进佣⾦,按FOB价为基础计算,每定单在10打及以上时佣⾦为2%,30打及以上时为3%。
(2) Party B is commissioned by the manufacturers to buy steel plates and this contract shall supersede all previous commitments.
⼄⽅受制造⼚家的委托购买钢板,因此本合同将取代以前的⼀切。
以上两句中的commission,由于词性不同,词义具有很⼤的区别。前⼀句中的commission在合同中经常以名词形式出现,意思为“佣⾦”;后⼀句中的commission是动词,其意思为“委托”或“代理”。再如:The Contractor shall be responsible for and shall carry out all maintenance work during commissioning period (在试运⾏期问,承包⽅应负责进⾏⼀切维修⼯作)。
「例12」
(1) The time limit for inspection and claim is 60 days after discharge Of the cargo at the port Of destination.
检验与索赔的期限为货物卸⾄⽬的港后60天。
(2) Party B agrees that the expiration of this license shall not discharge party B from its obligation.
⼄⽅同意在许可证到期时并不免除⼄⽅应尽的义务。
(3) Routine duties of the Joint Venture Company are lo be discharged by the general manager appointed by the Board of Directors.
董事会任命的总经理,负责履⾏合营公司的⽇常职权。
以上三句中都含有discharge,在不同的合同条款中,其词义也有很⼤不同。第⼀句中的discharge是名词(也可作动词)。词义为:“卸货”(unloading cargo from a ship),经常出现在国际货物买卖合同中;第⼆句中的discharge是动词,意思为“免除”(releasing one party from the terms of a contract);第三句中的discharge也是动词,意思为“履⾏”(carrying out
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