商务合同的用词规范
具有法律效力的商务合同用词都很正式、规范,避免口语化。如:
The Licensee will notify the Licensor and shall assist the Licensor in taking such action as the Licensor deems appropriate.
显然,该句中的notify、assist、deem比同义词inform、help、think更为正式。如果句中接连出现这类词语,其风格自然显得郑重、严肃具有浓厚的正式文体色彩。
再比如:The term “Effective date” means the date on which this Agreement is duly executed by the parties hereto.
该句中的execute较sign正式。
(一)注意介词或介词短语的翻译
14)The participants in the Joint Venture shall commence discussion with regard to the extension of the period of existence of the Venture and in the event of their agreeing upon such extension, they shall record such agreement in a written document
signed by all of them not later than three years prior to the expiry of the current period.(就本合资企业的存续时限的延期问题,各方应进行讨论;一旦各方就此达成一致,应形成书面协议,由各方在本合同期限到期之前的三年内签字生效。)
本句中用with regard to,in the event of和prior
to分别代替about,in case of和before.当然,商务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,一切需视具体的使用场合而定。
15)These articles shall apply to documentary credits, including stand by letters of credit, to the extent to which the credits in question shall be applicable, and shall be binding on the Parties to the Contract, unless otherwise expressly agreed by the Parties thereto.(本条文适用于一切跟单信用证,并包括在其适用范围内的备用信用证,对合同各有关方面均具有约束力,除非另有约定。)
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/信用证另有规定”。
16)On the FOB basis, the Buyer shall book shipping space in accordance with the date of shipment specified in the contract.(按照FOB条件,由买方负责根据合同规定的装运日期洽定舱位。)
同under、pursuant to一样,上例中的in accordance with是法律文件中常用的词汇,均作“根据”、“按照”
解,比according to正式。
(二)注意词语并列的现象(juxtaposition)
国际商务合同力求正式而准确,避免可能出现的误解或分歧,所以同义词(近义词)并列的现象十分普遍。有时候是出于严谨和杜绝漏洞的考虑,有时候也属于合同用语的固定模式。比如,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则指其它条件,但是“terms and conditions”常常作为固定模式在合同中出现,就不宜分译成“条件和条款”,而直接合译成“条款”。再如:
17)This agreement is made and entered into by and between Party A and Party B.
18)The amendments to or alteration of this contract become effect only after they are signed by parties hereto and approved by the original approving authorities.
19)If 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.
对于合同中出现的同义词、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“动态对等理论”。所谓动态对等,就是译文与原文在效果(或功能)上达到对等,即译文读者的理解与感受与原文读者的理解与感受基本一致(与动态对等相对的是形式对等,即强调语言形式的对应)。
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”、“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