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論商務合同的英漢翻譯技巧(一)
摘 要 隨著中國成功的加入世界貿(mào)易組織，許多成年人都開始意識到學習商務英語合同的重要性。此篇論文主要是尋求貿(mào)易合同中的中英翻譯技巧。
商務英語是一種世界公認的正式的寫作形式，用來闡述有關各方面的權(quán)利和義務。一些相關人士也開始重視與研究商務英語合約。一份合約一旦簽定，它在法律上是具有約束力和實施性的。如果有不能履行合約義務的任何單位必須對造成其他單位的損失作出賠償。一份商務合約是人們進行國際商務活動必不可少的部份。
把商務英語合約中的句子翻譯成可行的漢語也不總是很容易，它們包含廣泛，或者錯綜復雜。因為漢語和英語隸屬于兩個不同的語言體系并且在他們之間存在很多不同的語法、詞匯和語句結(jié)構(gòu)。當你翻譯時，要考慮到包含的文法與詞藻的修辭等等。
這篇文章的目的就是尋找商業(yè)合約的一些英漢翻譯技巧，例如被動語態(tài)的翻譯技巧、子句中副詞的翻譯技巧等，翻譯技巧的最終目的是要怎樣使譯文聽起來盡可能的流暢，自然。
關 鍵 詞
English-Chinese Translation Techniques; 中英翻譯技巧
Business Contracts; 貿(mào)易合同
Passive Voice; 被動態(tài)
Adverbial Clauses 副詞子句
論商務合同的英漢翻譯技巧
隨著中國成功的加入世界貿(mào)易組織，商務英語便得到了更廣泛的使用。一份商務英文合同是一種正式的書面同意書，從中設定行使條款及相關合作團體的義務職責。合同一旦簽定，便具備法律上的約束力及實施性。若任一方違背其應履行的職責將需對另一方進行相應的賠償。一份貿(mào)易合同是對于人們執(zhí)行國際貿(mào)易活動中不可缺少的部分。在此提及一些貿(mào)易合中的中英翻譯技巧是很有必要的。
當你翻譯時，語法結(jié)構(gòu)及文學修辭都是要考慮到的。因漢語和英語屬于兩種完全不同體系的語言，其語法，詞匯，語句結(jié)構(gòu)等等都有很大的差異。我們在翻譯時其中一個不可避免的問題就是如何把其中的語句翻譯聽起來盡可能的流暢，自然。
把商務英語合約中的句子翻譯成漢語是可行的但也不總是很容易，它們包含廣泛，有時錯綜復雜。下列的翻譯技巧將集中展示被動詞態(tài)和副詞子句。
被動語態(tài)的翻譯技巧
語態(tài)也屬于語法范疇，它是動詞的一種形式，它展現(xiàn)的是一個句子的主語的主動與被動。當主語是一次行為的代理人或行為者時，動詞采取主動語態(tài)的形式，在另一方面，如果主語是行為的接受者，動詞采取被動語態(tài)的形式。
被動語態(tài)在英語中被廣泛的使用，尤其是在正式的寫作方面以及科學作品及新聞報導方面。在商務英語合約中，被動式更是被頻繁的使用。大多數(shù)的及物動詞以他們的被動形式出現(xiàn)。在英語中及物動詞的被動語態(tài)是be+ed的形式。一個句子或子句中的述語動詞是被動的稱作被動句。相反，主動語態(tài)經(jīng)常在漢語版本中使用。
1.1 被動語態(tài)變成主動語態(tài)
與在英語中的應用比較，被動語態(tài)在漢語中使用的較少，在漢語中主動的結(jié)構(gòu)形式通常表示被動的意思，我們可以將英語中的被動形式轉(zhuǎn)化為漢語中的主動語態(tài)。
A）當你翻譯的時候，一般來說，在子句或句子中被動語態(tài)的詞序通常是不做改變的或稍微改變一點，原句主語的位置在表達上未做改變。這種翻譯技巧常被用于商務英語合約的翻譯。下面舉例說明：
a) All the activities shall be governed by the laws of the countries concerned.
一切活動均應遵守有關國家的法律。
b) All disputes arising out of the performance of, or relating to this Contract, shall be settled amicably through negotiation.
凡因執(zhí)行本合同所發(fā)生的或與本合同有關的一切爭議，雙方應通過友好協(xié)商解決。
B) 無論詞組是否用于被動句式中都是決定數(shù)量的因素。一般而言，當立案者想強調(diào)代理人 或行為當事人時詞組是必不可少的。這樣的話，我們可以將詞組轉(zhuǎn)變?yōu)樽泳浠蚓渥拥闹髡Z。例如：
All the payments shall be made in the U.S. Currency by the Buyer to the Seller by telegraphic transfer to the Seller＇s designated account with the Bank of China, Beijing, China.
買方應以美元支付賣方貨款，并以電匯的方式匯至賣方指定的中國銀行北京分行的帳戶。
C) 在翻譯被動語態(tài)或句子時，有時候需要重新調(diào)整句子元素。
如果子句中的狀態(tài)副詞不能表明該活動的行為者，我們可以將在被動結(jié)構(gòu)中的子句轉(zhuǎn)換為主句。原
始子句中的主語轉(zhuǎn)換為指定主句中的受詞。例如�。�
If a foreign auditor registered in other country is necessary to be employed to undertake annual financial checking and examination, Party A shall give its consent. All the expenses thereof shall be borne by Party B.
如果需要聘請其他國家的審計師對年度的財務進行審查，甲方應予以同意。其所需費用乙方負擔。
如果副詞和句子中的主語在被動語態(tài)中有關聯(lián)，我們可以將原句中的副詞轉(zhuǎn)化為指定句式的主語以便翻譯的更清楚與協(xié)調(diào)。例如：
a) The establishment, remuneration and the expenses of the staff of the preparation and construction office, when agreed by both parties, shall be covered in the project budget.
經(jīng)甲乙雙方同意后，工程預算應包括籌建工廠人員的編制、報酬及費用。
b) The conditions for establishment of the Joint Venture Company and the total amount of investment and registered capital are stipulated in this Contract.
本合同規(guī)定了設立合資公司的條件以及投資總額與注冊資本。
D) 在商務英語合約中，有一種特別的被動句式類型，即為，It is+過去分詞+that 受詞＂ ,它基本上已經(jīng)形成了一個比較固定的翻譯模式.
a) It is agreed that Party A shall have no obligation to pay for the insurance premium.
雙方同意，甲方不負擔保險費
b) It is essentially stressed that the Buyers are requested to sign and return the duplicate of this Contract within 3 days from the date of receipt. In the event of failure to do this, the Sellers reserve the right to cancel the Contract.
必須強調(diào)：買方應于收到本合同之日起3天內(nèi)簽字并退還合同的副本，如買方不這樣做，賣方保留取消合同的權(quán)利。
1.2 被動結(jié)構(gòu)保持不變
并非所有的英語中的被動語態(tài)在漢語中都是轉(zhuǎn)換為主動語態(tài)，某些時候，英文中的被動語態(tài)也會在漢語的譯本中保持它原有的被動結(jié)構(gòu)不變。在漢語中，被動語態(tài)是通過使用以下字眼來表示，如“由、被、把、給、將＂。使用此種方法翻譯舉例如下：
a) The term for the technology transfer agreement is signed by Party A and the Solely Foreign-owned Enterprise, and it shall be approved by the approval authority.
技術轉(zhuǎn)讓協(xié)議的期限由甲方與獨資企業(yè)簽訂并經(jīng)審批機關批準。
b)If other coverage or an additional amount is required, the Buyers must have the consent of the Sellers before shipment, and the additional premium is to be borne by the Buyers.
如買方欲增加其他險別或超過上述保額時須于裝船前征得賣方同意，所增加的保險費由買方負擔。
2. 子句中副詞的翻譯技巧
在商務英語合約中，副詞的子句被屢次使用。副詞的子句習慣于用來談論時間、原因、狀態(tài)、行為和目的。這取決于在上下文中的位置，它們在句子中的位置可以十分靈活：它們可以出現(xiàn)在句子的開頭或句子的結(jié)尾，或者在句子的中間。它們的位置在中文句子中的位置取決于上下文而變化。
以下有兩種類型的副詞子句，經(jīng)常出現(xiàn)在商務英語條約中，即時間副詞引導的子句和狀態(tài)副詞引導的子句。
2.1 時間副詞引導的子句
時間副詞引導的子句一般由“when, while , as , before , after , until , etc , can “ 等
詞展現(xiàn)，用來描述當下，過去及未來的時間。
時間副詞引導的子句一般由“when, before 和 after “引導并廣泛的應用于商務英語合約中。如下將舉例說明怎樣將商務英語合約中時間副詞引導的子句翻譯成中文。
A)在漢語中, “when＂ 通常是指 “當…時候＂, 等等。有某些情況下，用副詞“when＂引導的子句視為條件從句，這可以翻譯面漢語的條件副詞子句。例如：
a)When one party to the Joint Venture Company assigns all or part of his investment,
the other party has preemptive right.
如果合資公司一方擬轉(zhuǎn)讓其全部或部分出資額，另一方有優(yōu)先購買權(quán)。
B)連接詞“before＂在漢語中通常被翻譯成“在……之前＂，在商務英語合約中，有時為了著重強調(diào)需履行的義務，“before＂ 在翻譯成漢語時被翻譯成當“….后, 才能…..＂。例如：
a)The manufacturers shall, before the goods is delivered over, make a precise and comprehensive inspection of the goods with regard to its quality, specifications, performance and quantity, weight, and issue inspection certificates certifying the technical data and conclusion of the inspection.
制造商應對貨物的質(zhì)量、規(guī)格、性能和數(shù)量、重量進行一絲不茍和全面的檢驗，出具檢驗證明書，證實檢驗的技術數(shù)據(jù)和結(jié)論后，才能發(fā)貨。
C)連接詞“after ＂在漢語中通常表示“在……后＂，在商務英語合約中， “after＂有時在漢語中表示“……之日起＂之意嚴謹之意。例如：
a)In case the Buyer finds any document incorrect, the Buyer is obliged to cable the Seller indicating the incorrect items. The cable shall be sent within twenty days after the Bank of China, Beijing Branch has received the Seller＇s documents.
買方如發(fā)現(xiàn)文件有錯誤時，應在中國銀行北京市分行收到賣方文件之日起20天內(nèi)電告賣方，并指出錯誤項目。
2.2 副詞引導的狀語從句
在英語中以副詞引導的狀語從句通常與例如“as if、in case、unless、once和so long as 等詞連用，在漢語中也有類似的連接詞例如“如果、萬一、除非、一旦、只要＂等等。此外，在英語中并不是所有的副詞引導的狀語從句在翻譯成漢語時都作副詞。如下例：
A) 一個除非語句即可表示真實狀況也可表示非真實情況，在一個真實語句里面除非有時可以用如果不來代替。在商務合同中“除非“經(jīng)常用＂除……另有……者外，“ 譯成漢文。并且＂除非“經(jīng)常與＂否則“一起用。
a)Unless the Contract provides otherwise, it is the Buyer＇s legal duty to collect and transport the goods from the Seller＇s premises.
b)除合同另有規(guī)定者外，買方應在賣方的處所提貨運輸。
Unless otherwise arranged, neither party shall have the right to represent the other party.
除另有安排者外，任何一方無權(quán)代表另一方。
B) 連接詞“whereas＂有時連接兩個獨立的子句將其變?yōu)橐粋�復合句，在漢語中也有類似的連接詞如“而＂。有時候“whereas＂ 在商務英語合約中通常被用于介紹背景與用途的序文中，代表已考慮到實際情況，因此在翻譯成漢語時由副詞引導的狀語從句通常被翻譯為“鑒于＂。
a)Whereas Party B has the right and desires to transfer the aforesaid know-how to Party A, this Contract shall come into force from the date of execution hereof by Party A and Party
鑒于乙方有權(quán)并愿意向甲方轉(zhuǎn)讓上述專有技術，本合同自甲方和乙方簽署之日生效。
C) 在商務英語合約中我們應該特別注意特別連接詞如“where＂的用法，“where＂作為以副詞引導的條件從句在漢語中表示“如果、若＂的意思。這種類型通常會在法律條文中見到，不過很少在其它的領域中見到。
a)Where there exists a relationship of administrative subordination between the debtor and the third party, as to the creditor, the interests of the debtor and of the third party shall be consistent.
如果債務人與第三者存在隸屬關系，相對債權(quán)人而言，債務人與第三者的利益應該是
A Brief Introduction to English-Chinese Translation
Techniques of Business Contracts
With China＇s successful entry into WTO (the World Trade Organization), business English is more widely used. A business English contract is a formal written agreement, which sets forth rights and obligations of the parties concerned. Once entered into, a contract is binding and enforceable by law. Any party who fails to fulfill his obligations must make compensation for the other party＇s losses. A business contract is an indispensable part for people to carry out international business activities. It is necessary to mention a few English-Chinese translation techniques of business contracts.
When translating, both grammatical and rhetorical considerations are involved. Since Chinese and English belong to two different language families and present a lot of differences in their grammar, lexicon, discourse structure, etc., one of the problems we cannot avoid while translating is how to make the version sound as smooth and natural as possible.
Translating sentences of business English Contracts into Chinese is feasible but not always easy. They are comprehensive, and occasionally complex. The following translation techniques will focus on the passive voice and the adverbial clauses.
Translation Techniques of Passive Voice
Voice is a grammatical category. It is a form of the verb, which shows whether the subject of a sentence acts or is acted on. When the subject is the agent or doer of an action, the verb takes the form of active voice; if, on the other hand, the subject is the recipient of the action, the verb takes the form of passive voice.
Passive voice is widely used in English, especially in formal informative writing, and scientific writing and news reporting. In business English contracts, passive voice is frequently used, too. Most transitive verbs can appear in their passive forms. The passive voice of English transitive verbs is formed by the auxiliary be + -ed participle. A sentence / clause whose predicator (predicate verb) is passive is called a passive sentence / clause. On the contrary, active voice is often used in the Chinese version.
1.1 The Passive Voice Converted into the Active Voice
Since passive voice is used much less frequently in Chinese than in English, and passive meanings are usually expressed by active constructions in Chinese, we can convert the passive voice in English into the active voice in Chinese.
A) When being translated, on the whole, the word order of a passive clause or a sentence is not altered or is changed a little, and the position of the subject of the original sentence is not changed in the target language. This kind of translation technique is often employed in the translation of business English contracts. A few examples are listed below:
a) All the activities shall be governed by the laws of the countries concerned.
一切活動均應遵守有關國家的法律。
b) All disputes arising out of the performance of, or relating to this Contract, shall be settled amicably through negotiation.
凡因執(zhí)行本合同所發(fā)生的或與本合同有關的一切爭議，雙方應通過友好協(xié)商解決。
B) Whether or not a by-phrase is used in a passive sentence is determined by a number of factors. Generally speaking, a by-phrase is indispensable when a draftsman wants to stress the agent or the doer of the action. In this case, we may convert the doer of the action of a by-phrase into the subject of a clause or sentence in the target language.For instance:
All the payments shall be made in the U.S. Currency by the Buyer to the Seller by telegraphic transfer to the Seller＇s designated account with the Bank of China, Beijing, China.
買方應以美元支付賣方貨款，并以電匯的方式匯至賣方指定的中國銀行北京分行的帳戶。
C) When translating a passive clause or sentence, at whiles one need readjust the sentence elements.
If an adverbial clause of condition does not indicate the doer of the action, we may convert this clause in the passive structure into a subjectless clause. The subject of the original clause is converted into the object of the target sentence. For instance:
If a foreign auditor registered in other country is necessary to be employed to undertake annual financial checking and examination, Party A shall give its consent. All the expenses thereof shall be borne by Party B.
如果需要聘請其他國家的審計師對年度的財務進行審查，甲方應予以同意。其所需費用乙方負擔。
If the adverbial and the subject of a sentence in the passive voice have inclusive relationship, we may convert the adverbial of the original sentence into the subject of the target sentence so as to make the translation clear and coherent. For example:
a)The establishment, remuneration and the expenses of the staff of the preparation and construction office, when agreed by both parties, shall be covered in the project budget.
經(jīng)甲乙雙方同意后，工程預算應包括籌建工廠人員的編制、報酬及費用。
b)The conditions for establishment of the Joint Venture Company and the total amount of investment and registered capital are stipulated in this Contract.
本合同規(guī)定了設立合資公司的條件以及投資總額與注冊資本。
D) In business English Contracts, there is a special passive pattern, that is, “It is + past participle + that clause＂ which has basically formed a comparatively fixed translation version.
a)It is agreed that Party A shall have no obligation to pay for the insurance premium.
雙方同意，甲方不負擔保險費。
b)It is essentially stressed that the Buyers are requested to sign and return the duplicate of this Contract within 3 days from the date of receipt. In the event of failure to do this, the Sellers reserve the right to cancel the Contract.
必須強調(diào)：買方應于收到本合同之日起3天內(nèi)簽字并退還合同的副本，如買方不這樣做，賣方保留取消合同的權(quán)利。
1.2 The Passive Structure Remaining Unchanged
Not all passive voice in English is converted into active voice in Chinese. Sometimes, an English passive voice may keep its passive structure in the Chinese version. In Chinese, passive voice is mainly conveyed through the use of words like 由, 被, 把, 給, 將. The following examples are translated in this way.
a)The term for the technology transfer agreement is signed by Party A and the Solely
Foreign-owned Enterprise, and it shall be approved by the approval authority.
技術轉(zhuǎn)讓協(xié)議的期限由甲方與獨資企業(yè)簽訂并經(jīng)審批機關批準。
b)If other coverage or an additional amount is required, the Buyers must have the consent of the Sellers before shipment, and the additional premium is to be borne by the Buyers.
如買方欲增加其他險別或超過上述保額時須于裝船前征得賣方同意，所增加的保險費由買方負擔。
Translation Techniques of Adverbial Clauses
In business English contracts, adverbial clauses are frequently applied. Adverbial clauses can be used to talk about time, cause, condition, concession and purpose. Depending on the context, their positions in a sentence can be quite flexible: they can appear either at the beginning of a sentence, or at the end of a sentence, or even in the middle of a sentence. Their positions in a Chinese sentence also vary according to the contexts. The point for attention is how to make the translation conform to Chinese usage when English adverbial clauses are translated into
There are two kinds of adverbial clauses, which often appear in business English contracts, i.e. adverbial clauses of time and adverbial clauses of condition.
2.1 Adverbial clauses of time
Adverbial clauses of time are introduced by when, while, as, before, after, until, etc can be described in terms of “same time＂, “earlier time＂, and “l(fā)ater time.＂
The adverbial clauses of time introduced by when, before and after are widely used in business English contracts. The following will concentrate on how to translate them into Chinese.
A)In Chinese, “ when＂ is usually introduced by 當……時候, etc. Sometimes, an adverbial clause introduced by “when＂ can be regarded as the clause of conditional meaning, which can be translated into Chinese adverbial clauses of condition. In Chinese, we have similar conjunctions like如果, 倘若, etc.For example:
a)When one party to the Joint Venture Company assigns all or part of his investment, the
other party has preemptive right.
如果合資公司一方擬轉(zhuǎn)讓其全部或部分出資額，另一方有優(yōu)先購買權(quán)。
B)The conjunction “before＂ is usually translated into “在……之前＂ in Chinese. In business English contracts, sometimes, in order to emphasize the obligation to be fulfilled,
“before＂ may be rendered into Chinese by using “……后, 才能…….＂ For example:
a)The manufacturers shall, before the goods is delivered over, make a precise and comprehensive inspection of the goods with regard to its quality, specifications, performance and quantity, weight, and issue inspection certificates certifying the technical data and conclusion of the inspection.
制造商應對貨物的質(zhì)量、規(guī)格、性能和數(shù)量、重量進行一絲不茍和全面的檢驗，出具檢驗證明書，證實檢驗的技術數(shù)據(jù)和結(jié)論后，才能發(fā)貨。
C)The conjunction, “after＂ is often expressed by “在……后＂ in Chinese. In business English contracts, “after＂ is sometimes converted into “……之日起＂ in Chinese for the purpose of preciseness.For exampl：
a)In case the Buyer finds any document incorrect, the Buyer is obliged to cable the Seller indicating the incorrect items. The cable shall be sent within twenty days after the Bank of China, Beijing Branch has received the Seller＇s documents.
買方如發(fā)現(xiàn)文件有錯誤時，應在中國銀行北京市分行收到賣方文件之日起20天內(nèi)電告賣方，并指出錯誤項目。
2.2 adverbial clauses of condition
In English adverbial clauses of condition are generally introduced by conjunctions such as if, in case, unless, once, and so long as. In Chinese we have similar conjunctions like 如果, 萬一, 除非, 一旦, 只要, etc. Moreover, not all adverbial clauses of condition in English need to be presented as adverbial clauses in Chinese. See the following examples:
An unless-clause can denote a real condition as well as an unreal condition. In a clause of real condition, unless can sometimes be replaced by if¼not. In business English contracts, “unless＂ is usually rendered into Chinese by using “除……另有……者外,＂ and “unless＂is often used together with “otherwise.＂
a)Unless the Contract provides otherwise, it is the Buyer＇s legal duty to collect and transport the goods from the Seller＇s premises.
除合同另有規(guī)定者外，買方應在賣方的處所提貨運輸。
b)Unless otherwise arranged, neither party shall have the right to represent the other party.
除另有安排者外，任何一方無權(quán)代表另一方。
B)The conjunction, “whereas＂ at whiles connects two independent clauses to form a compound sentence, and we have similar conjunctions like “而＂ in Chinese. In business English contracts, sometimes “whereas＂ is used at the preamble to introduce the background and purpose, denotes taking into consideration the fact, introduces adverbial clauses of condition, and consequently is translated into Chinese by using “鑒于.＂
a)Whereas Party B has the right and desires to transfer the aforesaid know-how to Party A, this Contract shall come into force from the date of execution hereof by Party A and Party
鑒于乙方有權(quán)并愿意向甲方轉(zhuǎn)讓上述專有技術，本合同自甲方和乙方簽署之日生效。
C)We should pay special attention to the particular usage of the conjunction “where＂ in business English contracts; “where＂ introduces the adverbial clauses of condition and means “如果＂, “若＂ in Chinese. This kind of usage is usually found in the legal style, but is seldom adopted in other styles.
a)Where there exists a relationship of administrative subordination between the debtor and the third party, as to the creditor, the interests of the debtor and of the third party shall be consistent.
如果債務人與第三者存在隸屬關系，相對債權(quán)人而言，債務人與第三者的利益應該是一致的。
參考文獻
[1] August, Ray International Business Law: Text, Cases and Readings (third
edition) Beijing: Higher Education Press, 2002.
[2] Barnes, A. James Law for Business Boston: Irwin/McGraw-Hill, 2000.
［4］胡庚申,王春暉,申云楨.《國際商務合同起草與翻譯》.北京：外文出版社，2001.
[5] 譯典通
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