近来商务英语中翻译的合同居多而且是一个难点,下面是小编搜集整理的合同英语翻译的用词特点,欢迎阅读,供大家参考和借鉴!
近来翻译的合同居多,用词特点(formal term)合同英语的用词极其考究,具有特定性。要求选词专业化(professional)、正式(formal)、准确(accurate).
1. May, shall, must, may not (或shall not)的使用:
May, shall, must, may not (或shall not)对学过英语的人再熟悉不过,但合同中用这些时要极其谨慎。权利义务的约见定部分构成了合同的主体。这几个词如选用不当,可能会引起纠纷。
May旨在约定当事人的权利(可以做什么);
Shall 约定当事人的义务(应当做什么时候);
Must 用于强制性义务(必须做什么);
May not(或 shall not)用于禁止性义务(不得做什么)。
May do 不能说成 can do;
Shall do, 不能说成 should do 或 ought to do;
May not do 在美国一些法律文件可以用 shall not, 但绝不能用can not
do 或 must not
例如:在约定解决争议的途径时的,可以说 The parties hereto (=to this contract) shall, first of all, settle any dispute arising from or in connection with the contract by friendly negotiation. Should such negotiations fail, such dispute may be referred to the People's Court having jurisdiction on such dispute for settlement in the absence of any arbitration clause in the disputed contract or in default of agreement reached after such dispute occurs. 本句中的shall和may表达准确。出现争议后应当先行协商,所以采用了义务性“约定”,如果协商解决不了,作为当事人的权利,用选择性约定may 也很妥当。如果may 和shall调换位置会怎么样?前半句的shall换用may后,意思变成当事人可以通过协商解决,意思上说得过去,但后半句的may换用shall后,变成了应当诉讼解决,好像一出事,就要先见官,这就有些不友好了。
本句可译: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。如果协商未果,合同中又无仲裁条款约定或争议发生后未就仲裁达成协方的,可将争议提交有管辖权的人民法院解决
2.正式用语(formal term)合同英语有着严肃的风格,与其它英语作品有很大不同。
例如:
"因为"的短语多用"by virtue of",远远多于"due to"一般不用"because of";
"财务年度末"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";
“关于”常用"as regards","concerning"或"relating to",而不会用"
“事实上”用"in effect",而不用"in fact";
“开始”用"commencement",而不用"start "或"begin";
“停止做”用"cease to do",而不用"stop to do";
“何时开会并由某某主持”的表逑为:The meeting shall be convened and presided by sb.
其中“召开”不用"hold 或 call",而用"convene";
“主持”不用"chair"或"be in charge of",而用"preside";
“其他事项”用"miscellaneous",而不用"other matters/events";
“理解合同”用"construe a contract"或"comprehend a contract",而不用"understand a contract";
“认为”用"deem",用"consider"少,不用"think"或"believe";
“愿意做”用"intend to do"或"desire to do",而不用"want to do","wish to do".
3、用词专业(technical terms)合同用词不以大众是否是否理解和接受为转移,它是合同语言准确表达的保障。如合同出现的“瑕疵”、“救济”、“不可抗力”、“管辖”、“损毁”、“灭失”等就可能让百行业人士费解,在英语以上表达分别为 defect, remedy, force majuere/act of God, jurisdiction, damage and/or loss.
另外几乎每个合同都少不了hereinafter referred to as (下文称为),whereas(鉴于),in witness whereof (以资证明), for and on behalf of(为了并代表),hereby(特此),thereof (其=from it, of it)等虚词。
这也是合同英语的一大特色。其它例子还有:“赔偿”用"indemnities",而不用"compensation";
“不动产转让”用"conveyance",而不用"transfer of real estate";
“房屋出租”用"tenancy";
而“财产出租”用"lease of property";
“停业”用"wind up a business"或"cease"(名词是cessation) a business, 而不用"end/stop a business";
专利许可中的“特许权使用费”只用"royalities";
还款或专利申请的“宽限期”英文"grace";
“当事人在破产中的和解”用"composition";
以实物出资为"investment in kind";
“依照合同相关规定”一般说"pursuant to provisions contained herein"或"as provided herein"等,不说"according to relevant terms and conditions in the contract";
“合同任何一方当事人不得转让本合同”英文表述为"Neither party hereto may assign this contract";
其中"hereto"表示"to the contract",选用"Neither party to the contract"较少。
3.同义词、近议词、相关词的序列 FOR value received (上开价金已收到),
the undersigned(下述签名者) does hereby sell, transfer, assign and set over to all 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.
在这里的同义词和近义词并列(如sell, transfer, assign and set over, right 和 tile and interest),在英文合同里十分普遍。这是出于严谨和杜绝漏洞的考虑,有的也属于合同用语的固定模式。
如:This agreement is made and entered into by and between Party A and Party B.句中 “made and entered into”和"by and between"两组分别属于同义词和相关词并列。
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"三组同义司和近义词并列。
The parties have agreed to vary the Management on the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein. 这里的"on the terms"和"subject to the conditions"是一个意思都表示“依照本协议的条款规定”。合同条款的固定模式是"terms and conditions"
再例如:"Party A wishes to be released and discharged from agreement as from(从...时起) the effective date",一句中的"release"和"discharge"意思几乎相同。
并列的词还有:ships and vessels;support and maintenance ;licenses and permits; charges, fees, costs and expenses; andy and all; any duties, obligations or liabilitities; the partners,their heir, successors and assigns(受让人);control and mangement of the partnership; applicable laws, regulations, decrees, directives, and rule.
4、理解法律文件中的专门用语,英语中某些副词如"here"及"where"在法律文件中往往当作前缀,与另一个词构成法律词汇中的专门用语。在法律文件中用这些词,可以避免重复,避免误解,避免歧义,使行文准确、简洁。以这种方法构成的词主要有:hereafter, hereby, herein, hereof, hereto hereunder, hereupon, herewith, hereinbefore, hereinafter, thereafter, thereby, therein, thereinafter, thereinbefore, thereon, thereof, thereunder, thereupo, therewith, whereas, whereby, wherein, whereof, whereon, etc.
这些词各有各的含义,笔者只能捡其中几个细说:
比如:
1.Hereby:by means of;by reason of this 之意,即特此,因此兹等意。
常用于法律文件、合同协议的正式文件的开头语,在条款中需要强调时也可用。举原文说明,如:
The Employer hereby vovenants to pay the Contractor in consideration of the execution and completion of the Works and the remedying of defects herein the Contract Price or such other sum as may become payable under the provisions of the Contract at the the time and in the manner prescribed by the Contract.文中:
hereby 意为by reason of this,特此的意思;
convenants 是动词,意为make a formal agreement 立约,签订合同;
completion of the Works 是工程的竣工,Works 与 Work 在工程承包合同文件中常指工程而不是工作之意;
therein 意为 in the Works在本工程中;
the Contract Price 指合同总价,指工程的总造价;
such...as 是关系代词,相当于that, which,把要限定的词置于such与as 之间使要限定的名词十分明确,避免合同双方在理解上发生争议。
under意为 in accordance with根据,按照之意,决不能译成“在...之下”;
the provisions of the Contract: terms ad conditons of the contract 合同条件、条款之意。在对文中专业性词汇作了解释之后,就不难理解这一段的含义了,也就是读懂了。
于是可以把原文译为:业主特此立约保证在合同规定的期限内,按合同规定的方式向承包人支付合同总价,或合同规定的其它应支付的款项,作为本工程施工、竣工及修补工程中缺陷的报酬。
2.Hereto: to this,上文已提及的,比如表示“本合同双方”可以说"the Parties hereto",这里的hereto表示"to this Contract""本协议附件4",可以译为"Appendix 4 hereto",这里的hereto表示"to this Agreement".读下面的原文,可以进一步理解hereto 在文中的作用。All disputes arising from the performance of this Contract shall, through amicable negotiaitons, be seetled by the Parties hereto.Should, through negotiation, no settlement be reached, the case in question shall then be submitted for arbitration to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, Beijing and the arbitration rules of this commission shall be applied. The award(裁决) of the arbitration shall be final and binding upon the Parties hereto. The Arbitration fee shall be borne(bear 分词)by the losing party unless otherwise awarded by the Arbitration Commission.文中:
两次出现的hereto,都是限定Parties, 表示the Parties to this Contract 本合同的双方。
the performance of this Contract 履行本合同
through amicable negotiations 通过友好协商
should表示如果发生什么情况,代替省掉的if
shall then be submitted for arbitration 应提交进行仲裁
the Chinese International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission Beijing 中国国际经济贸易仲裁委员会(北京)
the arbitration rules of this Commission仲裁规则
the award of the arbitration 仲裁裁决
unless otherwise awarded by the Arbitration Commission仲裁委员会另有裁定的除外。这样,扫除了上述专业词汇的障碍,可把原文译为:对于因履行本合同所发生的一切争议,本合同双方应友好协商解决,如协商无法解决争议,则应将争议提交中国国际经济贸易仲裁委员会(北京),依据仲裁规则仲裁。仲裁裁决是终局性的,对双方都有约束力。仲裁费用应由败诉方承担,但仲裁委员会另有裁定的除外。
3.Herein:in this此中,于此。表示上文已提及的...如遇到“本合同(中)的...”,“本法(中)的...”等行文时,用该词。比如,“本法(中)所称的不正当竞争...”,可以译为"unfair competition mentioned herein...".此中的herein 意为in this law又如“本协议(中)的内容”,可译为"the contents herein",此中的herein 意为in this Agreement.
看下面两段文字,可以加深领会herein及其它几个专门用语。Unfair competition mentioned in this law refers to such acts of business operations as contravene the provisions hereof, with a result of damaging the lawful rights and interests of other business operators, and disturbing the socio-economic order.Business operators mentioned herein refer to such legal persons, other economic organizations and individuals as engage in the trading of goods or profit-making services(hereinafter called Goods including services).
注:上文中出现了3个法律文件中的专门用语:hereof: of this 关于此点。在本中之意,表示在上文已提及的。出现本合同的...,“本文件的...”时,使用该词。
如“本合同条件,条款......”可译为"the terms,conditions and provisions hereof...",此中的"hereof"表示"of this Contract";又如“本工程的任何部分”可译为 "any parts hereof",此中的hereof意为"of this Works".
文中:
hereof 意为 the provisions of this law;
herein,在文中的意思是(Business operators mentioned) in this law;
hereinafter: later in the same Contract以下:在下文,一般与to be referred toas, referred to as called等词或词组连用,以避免重复;
unfair competition 不正当竞争
mentioned in this law 本法所称;
contravene the provisions hereof 违反本法规定;
damage the lawful rights and interests of other business operators 损害其它经营者的合法权益;
disturb the socio-economic order扰乱社会经济秩序。原文可译为:本法所称的不正当竞争,是指经营者违反本法规定,损害其了经营者的合法权益,扰乱社会经济秩序的行为。本法所称的经营或营利性服务(以下所称商品包括服务)的法人、其他经济组织和个人。
4.Therein:in that, in that partcular context, in that respect.在那里;在那点上,在那方面等之意,表示上文已提及的,“合同中的...”“工程中...”等可用此词。如“修补工程中的缺陷”,可以译为“the remedying of any defects therein”此中的therein 表示"in the Works"; 又如“用于工程中的材料或机械设备”可译为"material or plant for incorporation therein",此中的therein 也表示in the Works.现用一小段原文来加强 therein 这个字的印象:"Temporary Works" means all temporary works of every kind (other than the Contractor's Equipment) required in or
文中:
therein 是指in the Works 工程中的
temporary works:临时性工程,是指为永久性工程服务的工程,永久性工程建成后应予以拆除。建造临时工程的费用,按国际FIDIC合同条件规定,应由承包人负责。
defects:缺陷,指工程施工出现的问题,即工程本身存在问题,而不是因业主使用不当造成的。
The execution and completion of the Works and the remedying of any defects therein. 工程施工、竣工和修补工程任何缺陷。请注意原文中的两个and 的译法。一般一项工程分为两个阶段:第一阶段包括工程设计、施工、竣工;第二阶段是修补工程缺陷。由此可见,第一个and是指第一阶段的两个工程程序,第二and 是为了区分工程的两个阶段,用词、结构无误,表达意思明确。
这段原文可译为:临时工程是指在工程施工、竣工和修补工程中任何缺陷时需要或有关的所有各种临时工程(但承包人的设备除外)。
4.Whereas:considering that,鉴于,就......而论(法律用语)。此词常用于合同,协议书的开头段落,引出合同双方要订立合同的理由或依据。请持下面三小段:
Whereas Party B has the right and agrees to grant Party A the right to use, manufacture and sell the Contract Products of Patented Technology; Whereas Party A desires to use the Patented Technology of Party B to manufacture and sell the Contact Products; The Representatives authorized by the Parties to this Contract have, through friendly negotiation, agreed to enter into this Contract under the terms, conditions and provisions specified as follows:
文中:
两个whereas都作“鉴于”解。
to grant Party A the rights to use, manufacture and sell the Contract Products of patented Technology:将专利技术的合同产品的使用权、制造权和销售权授予甲方。
the Representatives authorized by the Parties to this Contract:
双方授权代表
under the terms, conditions and provisions sepcified as follows:
就以下条款。消除了这些专门词汇的拦路虎之后,原文即可译成:鉴于乙方有权并同意将【纵览全球英语资讯、洞察全球英文信息,尽在英语翻译学习网(www.enfanyi.com)你的全球英语指南】专利技术的合同产吕的使用权、制造权和销售权授予甲方;鉴于甲方希望利用乙方的专利技术制造并销售合同的产品;双方授权代表经友好协商,同意就以下条款签订本合同;为了维护法很的权威性,在拟订合同法时常、法律文件中常常使用这些平时罕见的,法律文件专用的正式词汇,因此在阅读或翻译或拟订合同时,必须学会运用、处理这些词汇。