•第四章第四章 •商务英语的句式特征商务英语的句式特征与翻译与翻译 第一节 商务英语的句式特征一、句式结构复杂,长句多一、句式结构复杂,长句多作为企业间商务交流的媒介,商务英语具有句式讲究、条理清晰、结构严谨的特点如: If a Party breaches 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 Party and the company against any losses, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities and claims that such Party or the Company may suffer as a result of such breach. (如果一方违反任何根据第18.1 条或18.2 条所作的陈述及担保或重述,则另一方除根据本合同或相关法律寻求任何可能的救济之外,违约方应当赔偿另一方或合营公司由此造成的任何损失、损害、费用、开支、责任或索赔。
此句的主干为 it shall indemnify and keep indemnified… against …the other Party and the company,前面是一个由if 引导的条件状语从句(If a Party breaches any of the representations or warranties given by it in Articles 18.1 or repeated in 18.2)在这个条件状语从句中,其宾语部分(any of the representations or warranties)又跟随着后置定语(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 之后也跟了后置定语(available to the other Party under this contract or under Applicable Laws)这一部分对句子的主要成分进行了补充说明,从而使句意更加严谨最后,that 后面的成分是作为后置定语修饰其前面的五个并列名词。
二、复杂句子的使用二、复杂句子的使用 商务英语句式复杂、长难句多的特点在外贸函电、金融英语以及企业管理英语中也都有很好的体现外贸函电是国际商务中传递信息、协商交易条件的主要途径,严谨、规范的复杂句能够准确、完整地传达信息金融英语和企业管理英语等也属于专业文体英语,表达时需要内容严谨、格式规范,因而复杂句的应用也极为突出例如: In order to facilitate business in consideration of the present monetary stringency, the corporation, on behalf of which I am studying this proposition, is willing to base transaction on trade by barter and would import any articles, which you would ship to the United States.(最近银根很紧,为谋求达成交易,本人代表公司正在研究如何做成这笔交易我们希望以易货贸易为基础,进口你方能运到美国的任何商品。
这句话的主语是由两个并列结构构成(the corporation is willing to…and would…),前面有一个较长的不定式短语(In order to facilitate business in consideration of the present monetary stringency)作状语另外,句子中还有两个定语从句(on behalf of which I am studying this proposition 和which you would ship to the United States)译者在译这个复杂句时采用了拆译法,把原文拆开译成了两个汉语句子,从而使译文更为准确流畅三、被动语态频繁使用三、被动语态频繁使用 商务英语追求内容的客观公正以及准确无误,而被动语态的最大特点之一就是不带个人主观性,强调客观性和事实,重在表达动作本身而不在动作执不带个人主观性,强调客观性和事实,重在表达动作本身而不在动作执行者行者,恰恰符合商务英语客观、庄重的文体特点,因此在商务文本中大量出现如: Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Contract shall be settled through friendly consultation.(双方应通过友好协商解决因本合同产生的或与本合同有关的任何争议。
It is mutually agreed that the certificates of quality and quantity or weight issued by the Manufacturer shall be part of the document to be presented to the paying bank for negotiation of payments.(双方同意以制造厂出具之品质及数量或重量检验证明书作为卖方向付款银行议付货款单据之一这两个例句摘自商务合同文本,其目的是要对人们的行为做出规定,规范各方的权利和义务,因此文字叙述客观公正、措辞严谨,译文也应注意保留这些文体特征 被动语态在金融英语中也比较常用,以体现金融语体的客观性和正式性凡是不必、不愿或无从说出动作发出者的时候,往往都使用被动语态译者在翻译这些被动句时要灵活处理,或译成主动句,或借助汉语中的“被”、“为”等词,保留原文的被动形式如:It is said that our bilateral deficit with Japan stubbornly refuses to shrink because their market are closed.(据说,我们和日本的双边贸易逆差很难缩小是因为日本关闭其国内市场。
Deposits at banks and other financial institutions are also money because they can be converted into currency and because they are used to settle debts.(在银行和其他金融机构的存款也是货币,因为它们可以变为现金和用于结清债务Though commissions in the over-the-counter securities market are unfettered by legal restraints, brokerages have agreed to charge the same fees in order to keep profit margins up.(场外证券交易市场上的回扣不受法律限制的约束,尽管如此,为了提高利润率,各经纪公司仍然决定收取同样数额的费用 被动语态除了不带个人主观性,强调客观事实之外,还具有较高的礼貌性,使语气更加委婉Ashley 指出,在商务信函中,为了使得请求听起来比较温和,从而更加礼貌得体,可以选择被动语态作为适当的语言形式。
因此,被动语态在外贸函电、合同中也有较高的使用频率如:Full information as to prices, quality, quantity available and other relative particulars would be appreciated.(请详告价格、质量、可供数量和其他有关情况So far, all our purchases from you have been paid by confirmed, irrevocable letter of credit.(迄今为止,我方向贵方订购的全部货物都是采用保兑的、不可撤销信用证付款After a check-up by our staff, it was found that the packing bags of some 30 bags were not strong enough, thus resulting in the breakage during the transit, for which we render our apologies.(经我方人员检查,大约30 袋化肥的包装不够牢固,结果导致运输途中发生破损,对此我方深表歉意。
四、使用固定句型结构四、使用固定句型结构 商务英语中有不少套语或惯用的句型结构,这些用法是在长期的商务活动中逐渐形成的,已为人们所接受使用例如:在外贸函电中,表示已收到对方来函时可用:We’re in receipt of your letter. / We acknowledge receipt of your letter. / We admit receipt of your letter.(贵公司来函已收悉在回复对方函电时可使用:Regarding your letter of/ in reply to your letter of/ referring to your letter of(鉴于贵公司……来函);表示希望得到对方回函时可用:We are looking forward to receiving your positive/ favourable repay; we are looking forward to hearing from you in the affirmative.(盼收到贵方肯定的答复随函附上某物时可用:Enclosed please find… / We are enclosing…(随函附上……) 除此之外,表示委婉礼貌的邀请时可用“May I have the pleasure of inviting you to…”、“Will you please honour me by coming…”;告知对方不利消息时可用句型“I’m sorry to tell you…”,“I regret to say…”,等等。
这些表示感情的词可以委婉、礼貌地引进话题:We regret being unable to accept your claim because the cases were in perfect condition when the goods were loaded on board the ship.(因货物装船时箱子是完整无损的,请恕我方难以接受贵方的索赔在商务合同前言中常见的句型有:(1)The contract is made by and between the seller and the buyer…, whereby…(2)The undersigned buyer and seller have confirmed…in accordance with the following termsand conditions:(3)Party A and Party B hereby agree to conclude the contract in accordance with the followingterms and conditions 等以上几句都可以套译为:“买卖(甲乙)双方依据……特立约如下”。
除此之外,商务合同中还有很多固定条款,其句法结构和表达方式也在商务实践中逐渐固定了下来这些固定句型在表达意思时更为准确,在合同中经常会用到,如:subject to, without prejudice to, for the purpose of, by and between, on and after, or other similar or dissimilar causes 等Subject to the conditions hereafter set forth, Party B will protect…(在下列情况下,乙方将保证……)在这里,“subject”并不是普通英语中“主题”或“使服从”的意思,而是表示“在……情况下,根据……规定”的意思Without prejudice to any rights which exist under the applicable laws or under theSubcontract, the Contractor shall be entitled to withhold or defer payment of all part of any sum otherwise due by the Contractor to the Subcontractor.(在不影响按适用法律或分包合同享有任何权利的情况下,承包商有权扣留或暂缓支付承包商应付给分包商的全部或部分到期金额。
这里,without prejudice to 表示“在不影响……的条件下;在不损害……的原则下”的意思,在商务合同中经常出现,如:Without prejudice to your powers and discretions…(不使贵行权利和任意决定受到损害),Without prejudice to the contractor’s rights to…(在不影响承包商权利的情况下)等For the purpose of this Agreement, each of the following terms shall have the Following meaning respectively:(就本协议而言,下列各用语分别具有下述意义:)在这个句子中,for the purpose of 就不是日常英语中“为了”的意识,而是表示“就……而言”五、条件句式的应用五、条件句式的应用 英语中的条件句主要表示一种未来可能发生的事情商务英语中,国际商务合同是用来约定合同各方应享有的权利和应履行的义务的书面文件,由于这种权利的行使和义务的履行均需要有各种条件,所以商务合同中存在大量的条件句式。
这些条件句多采用现在时态,体现了合同文体的严肃性商务合同中的条件句多由下列连接词引导:if,in case (of),in the event of/that, provided (that),should 等If there is any delay, the seller will immediately notify the buyer of the delay and the reason for the delay.(如果推迟交货,卖方应通知买方推迟交货以及延误的原因In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.(若对解释产生异议,以中文文本为准Should no settlement be reached through negotiation, the case shall then be submitted for arbitration to the China International Economic and Trade Commission (Beijing) and the rules of this Commission shall be applied.(如协商不能解决争议,则应将争议提交中国国际经济贸易仲裁委员会(北京),依据其仲裁规则进行仲裁。
Either side can replace the representatives it has appointed provided that it submits a written notice to the other side.(任何一方都可以更换自己指派的代表,但须书面通知对方六、状语从句的使用六、状语从句的使用 在国际商务英语文献中,常常使用状语从句,精确地指出在何种情况下在何时何地接受和完成商务业务例如:I am sure you will think it fair on our part when we suggest that the total value of the Parcel should be reduced by 50%.(我方建议这批货从总价中消减50%,相信你方会认为这样对我方是公平的When a party assigns, wholly or in part, its contractual rights and obligations to a third party, it must obtain the consent of the other party.(当事人一方将合同权利和义务的全部或者部分转让给第三人的,应当取得另一方的同意。
If two or more applicants apply for registration of identical or similar trademarks for the same kind of goods or similar goods, the trademark whose registration was first applied for shall be given preliminary examination and approval and shall be publicly announced; if the applicants are filed on the same day, the trademark which was first used shall be given preliminary examination and approval and shall be publicly announced, and the applications of the others shall be rejected and shall not be publicly announced.(两个或者两个以上的申请人,在同一种商品或者类似商品上,以相同或者近似的商标申请注册的,初步审定并公告申请在先的商标;同一天申请的,初步审定并公告使用在先的商标,驳回其他人的申请,不予公告。
七、七、shall 的使用的使用 国际商务英语中常用带 shall 的句子来增强语气特别是在合同类的材料中,单词shall 不仅表示将来时,而且表达了每一方的职责与义务,常具有“必须”、“应当”等强制意味例如:The liquidation of the joint ventures shall be handled in accordance with related states laws and administrative regulations and rules as well as the venture’s contract and the articles of the association.(合作企业的清算事宜,依照国家有关法律、行政法规及合作企业合同、章程的规定办理If the Buyers fail to provide such letter of credit in the Seller’s favour as prescribed above, the seller shall have the option of reselling the contracted goods for the account of the Buyers or delaying any shipment and/or cancelling any others at any time on the Buyer’s account and risk.( 如果买方未能向卖方提供上规定的这种信用证,卖方有权选择把合同规定的买方账上的货物转售或随时推迟付运和(或)撤销任何订单,损失和风险由买方承担。
The board meeting shall be called and presided over by the Chairman .Should the Chairman Be absent, the vice-Chairman shall, in principle, call and preside over the board meeting .(董事会会议应由董事长召集、主持;如董事长缺席,原则上应由副董事长召集、主持第二节 商务文本翻译的要求、方法和技巧一、商务文本的翻译要求一、商务文本的翻译要求1. 术语精确术语精确 商务材料涉及到经济、贸易、法律等很多方面,因此不可避免地要牵涉很多术语要精确地传达原文的信息,使译文读者能够正确地理解原文,译者必须使用标准的、对等的术语譬如说,译者不能把“不可抗力”译为“force that can not be resisted”,在商务活动中它的对应译文应是“force majeure”;“信用证”的对等译文应该是“letter of credit”,而不是“credit card”有些常见词在商务文本中的含义与在我们日常生活中的含义有很大的区别,譬如,在商务活动中“make an offer”并不是指“提出帮助”,而是“发盘”。
例如:We enclose our invoice and shall draw on` you at sight against this shipment through the local bank, as agreed, we ask you to protect upon presentation.(票随函寄上我们将按约定通过本地银行向你开出这批船货的即期汇票请见票付款原文可能会给不懂商务术语的人造成不解在商务英语中,“sight draft”意思是“即期汇票”,“protect on presentation”意思是“见票即付”因此术语的精确运用在商务英语翻译中是至关重要的2. 语气恰当语气恰当 在商务活动中,礼貌原则是非常重要的在商务交往及商务文本中,双方都尽量措辞严谨、语气温和在商务活动中,中西方都有一些固定的表达方式可以使商务文本严肃可信这种情况下,译者可以在准确传达原意的基础上,采取归化翻译手段使译文更易于被接受3. 用词准确用词准确 做商务文本翻译时,在理解原文、选准句型后,我们所面临的问题就是选择恰当的词汇在微观层面上,译文中最常见、最严重、数量最大的问题就在词汇的选择上,包括选择词汇时必须考虑到对应词的广狭、褒贬、修辞、具体与抽象等方面。
用词问题并不一定是指难词,例如,我们常见的“公司简介”、“公司结构”、“公司范围”、“公司历程”几个小标题不算疑难词,但是由于译者可能只注重表面的形式对等,将其分别译为“introduction”,“structure”,“range”,“career”这些貌合神离的翻译从功能上说无一达到了同等的交际功能,比较好的译文分别是“Corporate Profile”或“About Us”,“Organization Chart”,“Business Line”,“History”等下面用两个例子说明商务文本汉英翻译中恰当选词的技巧例 1:港台等地中小资本利用华人之间的关系,通过民间的渠道设法将资金、设备和技术引入内地译文:Business men of mid- and small-size corporation in Hong Kong, Taiwan and other regions introduced capital, equipment and technology to mainland China through non-governmental channel, namely by using personal contacts among their compatriots on the mainland.分析:汉语原文中有“民间渠道”这个词,我们不能按其字面对等译为“civil channel”,它实际上是指两方的非官方接触,所以应译为“non-governmental channel”.例2:我们采取了有效措施,狠抓了贷款的收回工作。
译文:Effective measures on credit extension enabled the Bank to have successfully recouped the overdue loans.分析:“收回”在这里的意思是指原来决定要放贷,但现在又决定不放贷了所以,不能译为“to withdraw”或“to recall”,因为“recall”一般指制造商把有严重质量问题的产品召回,而本文中的收回是指在贷款到期时或到期之后连本带息一并收回因此,准确用词应该是“to recoup”从上面的分析我们可以看出,准确的用词既需要我们具备对商务背景知识的了解,也要求我们进行语境分析,选择特定语境中最恰当的词2)名词和形容词或副词转换(1)The fair price connected with the superiority of varieties of our products will be able to guarantee our competitive edge in the international market.(我方各种各样的产品价格公平,品质优良,能够确保在国际市场的竞争优势。
2)We find difficulty in raising a great number of funds when the government executes the tight money policy.(当政府实行紧缩银根政策时,我们觉得难以筹集大量资金3)副词和形容词转换(1)如合同一方实质性违反本合同或其项下的陈述与保证,另一方可终止合同,并向违约方提出索赔If either party commits any material breach of this Contract or its representations and warranties, the other party may terminate this contract and file a claim against the breaching party.)(2)甲方必须真实、完整地向律师叙述案情、提供证据在接受委托后,如发现甲方捏造事实、弄虚作假,乙方有权终止代理,依本合同所收费用不予退还The statement made and proofs provided by Party A shall be true and complete. Where Party A is founded fabricating fact, Party B is free to terminate this Agreement and retain payment already collected from Party A according to this Agreement.)4)介词转化为动词 Preference shareholders are entitled to a priority in the assets if the company is wound up.(如果公司被解散,优先股东有优先分得公司资产的权利。
二、商务文本翻译的方法和技巧二、商务文本翻译的方法和技巧 在实践中,商务文本的翻译有一定的处理方法和技巧,分别可以概括为转换、颠倒、增补和省略等一)转换(一)转换 根据语言类型学,汉语属分析型语言,英语属分析综合参半型语言在语序上汉语和英语均属“主谓宾”语言,但也存在殊异性转换是指在商务文本的翻译中对语言的词性和表现方法做出改变由于英语和汉语的表达习惯、句子结构和词汇的搭配关系均有差异,在翻译中往往难以做到词性和表现方法的一致为了适应译文语言的表达习惯和语法规则,在商务文本翻译中必须运用词类和表现方法的转换技巧1. 词性的转换词性的转换1)动词和名词转换(1)We regret to inform you that the result of examination was the emergence of disagreement between the shipment and the bill of lading.(遗憾地通知你方,检查的结果是出现了装运的货物与提单不一致的情况2)美国与德国汽车制造商在欧洲市场竞争得异常激烈,迫使我们不得不改变投资计划。
Extremely keen competition between American and German vehicle manufacturers in the European market has compelled us to change our investment plan.)2. 词义的转换词义的转换 在一般的情况下做翻译,译者只需按照原文中各个词的词典含义就能准确而地道地把原文翻译成译文然而,在一些特殊情况下,尽管按照词典含义对等地翻译,但译文还是让人觉得别扭此时译者就必须按照译文的表达习惯改变词典含义,用地道的译文用词来表达原文作者的真正含义,这就是词义转换例如:(1)Each Party shall have the right to change its legal or authorized representative and shall promptly notify the other Party of such change and the name, position and nationality of its new legal or authorized representative.(双方有权撤换其各自的法定代表人或授权代表,并应将新法定代表人或授权代表的姓名、职位和国籍及时通知另一方。
分析:原文中的“change”的原意为“变化”,但为了符合中文的表达习惯,将它翻 译成“撤换”2)The Company may establish branch offices inside China and overseas with the consent of the Board and approval from the relevant governmental authorities.(合营公司经董事会决议并经有关政府机关批准可在国内外成立分支机构 分析:原文中“consent”原意为“同意”,但为了中文商务语言的表达习惯,在译文 中将其翻译为“决议”3. 句型的转换句型的转换肯定句和否定句的转换由于英语和汉语表达思想、遣词造句的方式不同,我们在翻译时应按照中文的习惯用法决定是否改变表现方法最为常用的方式是将英语中某些肯定和否定形式的句子在汉译时作句式转换处理例如:1)They were very few, fewer than at the last meeting of the board of directors. The chairman didn’t say much at the meeting, but every word was to the point.(他们没有几个人到会,比董事会上次到会的人还要少。
董事长在会上说话不多,但每句话都很中肯2)It is not rarely that they collect the feedback information of their products directly from the market from all angles.(他们常常从各种角度收集市场直接反馈的产品信息4. 语态的转换语态的转换英语惯用被动语态,而汉语则多用主动语态因此,英译汉时宜按照汉语的表达习惯作改变,这样的改变常见于那些以人的动作和活动为主语、而动作的执行者已被表明或暗示的句子里例如:(1)Everything possible has been done to save their enterprise and to carry on the entire reform of their management and control.(他们已采取了一切可能的措施,以便挽救他们的企业,并对他们的经营管理进行彻底的改革2)Confidential Information must be kept by the receiving Party in a secure place with access only to both Parties employees or agents.(机密信息的接受方必须将其存放在安全地方,仅限合同双方雇员、代理人知晓。
(二)增补(二)增补 增补也是商务文本翻译中不可忽视的重要技巧之一所谓增补,“就是要根据上下文的意思、逻辑关系以及目的语的表达习惯,增加词量,以表达原文字面没有出现但已经包含的意思”这种翻译方法主要是为了应对英汉两种语言在遣词造句以及思维方法上的不同特点而采用的法律语言的表述常常是“失之毫厘,谬以千里”某些商务英语的表述虽然简单,但丝毫不会影响其内容的准确性因此,在翻译成汉语时,为避免引起误解,就需要根据汉语的习惯和语法规则对这些词或句子予以重述增补的方法主要有以下几种1.增加实义词汇增加实义词汇 鉴于商务语言的严谨性和规范性特点,在商务英语汉译过程中需要适当添加一定的词汇,以限定范围,提高表述的准确性例如:(1)This Agreement is made by and between _______ Company having its registered office in______ (place) and ______ Company, address of which is ______ (house number, street, city).译文:本协议由______公司(注册营业地)和______公司(法定地址是______市 ______街______号)之间达成。
分析:一般公司的办公地址有多处,在通常的法律语言环境下,“address”即表示“法 定地址”,因此翻译成汉语时,需在“地址”前增加“法定”一词(2)The proposal indicates the offer or to be bound by the proposal thereof in case of acceptance.译文:该意思表示表明经受盘人承诺,发盘人即受该意思表示的约束分析:增加“受盘人”,表示不能是任何第三人的承诺,这是由合同的权利和义 务的相对性决定的3)The contract looks upon party A as having rights and duties thereof.译文:该合同视甲方为享有合同权利和承(负)担合同义务的主体分析:“享有”和“承(负)担”虽然意思相反,但在商务英语中都可用“have”一 词表达,而汉语找不到一个能够准确表达双重含义的对等词,所以应 当用两个汉语动词分别表达商务英语使用被动结构的语序,而中国人惯用主动句,下面是因语序变化而需要加词的情况:(4)IN WITNESS whereof the Carrier or his Agents has signed the above stated number of Bills of Lading, all of this tenor and date, one of which being accomplished the others to stand void.译文:证明以上各项,承运人或其代理人已签署各份内容和日期一样的上述 正本提单,其中一份如已完成提货手续,则其余各份均告失效。
2. 增补连词增补连词 在汉语偏正复句中,很多时候不出现连词,如果原文中有表示“时间”、“假设”、“条件”、“让步”、“目的”、“原因”等关系的“偏句”,可以用相应的英语连词连接表示上述各种关系的从句立法语言中最为典型的是以“的”结构的假设句,英译时必须添加显示主句和从句逻辑关系的连接词例如:(1)合同对科技成果的使用权没有约定的,当事人都有使用的权利民法第88 条)译文:If the contract does not contain an agreed term regarding rights to the use of scientific and technological research achievements, the parties shall all have the right to use such achievements.(2)同一诉讼的几个被告住所地、经常居住地在两个以上人民法院辖区的,各人民法 院都有管辖权民事诉讼法第22 条)译文:Where the domiciles or habitual residences of several defendants in the same lawsuit are in the areas under the jurisdiction of two or more People’s Courts, all of those People’s Courts shall have jurisdiction over the lawsuit.分析:上述两例原文都是属于以“的”收尾的假设句,汉译英时,需要根据对汉语原句 的理解在英语译文中增补形式上缺失的关联词。
使用If 和Where 引导的从句来表 示假设,从句子形式上清楚地表明英语句子中主从句的逻辑关系3. 增补同义词增补同义词 英语有一词多义的特点,同一个词可以同时与若干个词进行搭配,修饰它们或被它们修饰,语言仍自然流畅,如下文的 “decrease”和“negotiations”,因此,翻译多义词时就应该将其多义性表述清楚例如:(1)The innovation of products is one of the reform measures of the state-owned enterprises because it can decrease loss, cost and budget.产品的革新是国企改革措施之一,因为它可以减少损失,降低成本和递减预算2)Both the buyer and the seller are busy at negotiations of business, contract and draft.买卖双方正忙于交易磋商,合约谈判和汇票议付4. 增补句子成分增补句子成分1))增补主语增补主语 在英语和汉语中,主语均是句子的主体,但按照汉语的表达习惯和文体特征,省略语的情况较多,而英语句中的主语则通常不能省略。
因此,在汉译英时运用增补技巧,可以补充汉语句中被省略的主语例如:如蒙尽快惠告美国电脑详细的情况,不胜感激译为:We should be grateful if you would give us further details of American computers at the earliest time.分析:原文中,收信人是卖方,询问电脑情况的人是买方,译文中增补“我方”和“你方”不仅使英语的句子结构完整,而且表明了买方和卖方的关系2))增补宾语增补宾语 汉语和英语的及物动词后面都有宾语,表示动作的对象在某些情况或一定的上下文的条件下,汉语句子中的宾语可省略,而英语及物动词在任何情况下都须带宾语,翻译时需运用增补技巧补充汉语中被省略的宾语例如:我们觉得在这个时候延长信用证有效期和更改卸货港口是不恰当的译为:We don’ t think it proper to extend the validity of L/C and amend the discharging port at this time.分析:译文中增补宾语“it”,代表复合结构中的“不定式”,使英语句子结构完整无缺。
如果不采用增补技巧,上述两个英语句子均不能成立5. 省略省略 省略就是把原文中的某些冗余成分略去不译,或去掉不符合译文表达习惯的无用之词,以保证译文内容准确、文字简洁、结构规范1)省略表示重复、多余概念的词汇)省略表示重复、多余概念的词汇(1)Within _______ days after the effective date of this contract, the Owner shall pay the Contractor as full and complete compensation for accomplishing the Works and assuming all obligations under this contract the contract price in the amount of _______.译文:在本合同生效后_______天内,业主应向承包商支付金额_______为合同价 格,作为承包商完成该工程并承担本合同规定的所有义务的全部报酬分析:“full and complete”字面意思是“全部和所有的”而在汉语中,这两个概念几乎 没有区别,因此译文用其中一词即可。
2)影响市场对商品需求的变化情况有内因和外因两方面的因素译文:The changes of requirement for the commodities in the market are affected by the internal and external factors.分析:上述汉语句中的范畴词“情况、方面”可使前面的抽象名词更加具体、明确,符 合汉语的修辞需要但译成英语后如不省略这些范畴词,译文便显得累赘,概 念模糊2)省略修饰词)省略修饰词 By a loan agreement dated ______ made between ______ Co. (Borrower) and ______ Co. (Lender), the Lender has agreed to make available to the Borrower a loan facility of up to $ ______.译文:根据______年______公司(借款方)和______公司(贷款方)签署的贷款协 议,贷款方同意向借款方提供______美元的贷款。
分析:“up to”在句中表示“直到,多达”之意,为使译文更加精炼,翻译成汉语时可以 省略3)省略连接词)省略连接词 The parties must act in accordance with the principle of good faith, no matter in exercising rights or in performing obligations.译文:当事人行使权利、履行义务应当遵循诚实信用原则分析:原文中的“or”在翻译成汉语时用顿号代替,可以达到简练的目的4)省略介词)省略介词 The contract is made by and between the Buyer,_______ Co. and the Seller, ________ Co.译文:本合同是由买方_______公司和卖方_______公司之间签订的分析:“between”在这句话中用来限定范围,以表明合同是在特定的买卖双方之间签订 的,但在译文中,其意思已经由于汉语内在的逻辑关系而得到明确体现,因此 可以不译。
5)省略)省略here, there, where + 介词或副词介词或副词 商务英语当中有一套惯用的副词严格说,这类副词并不是商务术语,但从修辞和文体的角度来看,这类词的广泛使用既可使句子简练、严密,又使句子严肃、庄重,具有商务文体的风格,因而在商务条文中被大量运用,在翻译成汉语时有时可以省略不译例如:In accordance with the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-foreign Equity JointVenture and other relevant PRC laws and regulations, party A and party B hereby agree to set up a joint venture limited liability company.译文:根据《中华人民共和国中外合资经营企业法》和其他相关的法律法规,甲方和乙方同意共 同组建合资经营有限责任公司分析:句中的“hereby”即“under the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-foreign Equity Joint Venture and other relevant PRC laws and regulations”,可理解为“据此”。
而 汉语表达的连贯性已经使得译文忠实地再述了原文的含义,所以“hereby”可省略不译6)省略时态词)省略时态词 Where the seller sells the subject matter which has been delivered to a carrier for transportation and is in transit, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the risk of damage or loss is borne by the buyer as from the time of formation of the contract.译文:出卖人出卖交由承运人运输的在途标的物,除当事各方另有约定的以外,毁损、灭失的风 险自合同成立时起由买受人承担分析:英语时态区分细微、习惯性强,动作的进行过程通过丰富的语法手段描绘得非常精确,相 比之下,汉语的时态有时则可模糊表达,在保持句意流畅的同时也忠实地反映了原文的意 思。
6. 拆分拆分 商务英语长句较多,单纯按直译产生的汉语句子容易显得冗长、松散、内容杂乱如果采用拆句技巧译出,情形就大不一样,例如:In order to facilitate business in consideration of the present monetary stringency, the corporation, on behalf of which I am studying this proposition, is willing to base transaction on trade by barter and would import any articles, which you would ship to the United States.直译:为便于交易,考虑到最近银根很紧,本人正在研究这笔交易所代表的 公司,希望以易货贸易为基础进行交易,并进口你方能运到美国的任 何商品拆分译:最近银根很紧,为谋求达成交易,本人代表公司正在研究如何做成 这笔交易我们希望以易货贸易为基础,进口你方能运到美国的任 何商品。
分析:把原文拆开译成两个汉语句,并将并列连词“and”前面的短语“以易货贸 易为基础”调整到第二个汉语句中,译文准确流畅、搭配恰当原文的 最后部分是一个结论性分句,拆成两个句子后,译文的层次分明、概念 清楚 下面是拆开短语翻译的一个例子: Finally, more as a last hope than with any real confidence in a result, a temporary Arbitration organization was formed to try to reconcile the disputes and differences between the employer and the contractors.分析:英语将短语放在前面有强调的意味,但直译出来的汉语逻辑性不强,概念不清,容易产生歧 义如直译:“最后,作为对其结果并无真正信心,只是抱有一点希望,成立了一个临时仲 裁机构,试图调解业主和承包商之间的争论和分歧如果把短语拆开放在后面,单独成 句,最好译为:“最后,成立了一个临时仲裁机构,试图调解业主与承包商之间的争论和分 歧。
这是最后一点希望,其实大家对其结果并无真正信心把短语拆开作为补充,译文的 主句更加突出,主题思想一目了然下面是拆开从句翻译的一个例子: They seemed to enjoy those cooperative projects in the economic development zone which they had obtained by a course of innumerable trials and tribulations, and by victories which almost exceeded belief.直译:他们对经济开发区历尽千辛万苦,通过取得令人难以置信的胜利得来的那些合作项目看来是 很得意的拆分译:他们对经济开发区的合作项目看来是很得意的,那些合作项目是他们历尽千辛万苦,通过 取得令人难以置信的胜利得来的分析:英语句中第一个关系代词which 引出的非限制性定语从句可以拆开来单独成句,作为补充说 明,使译文更加流畅,逻辑性强。
否则,汉语的修饰语太多,拉得很长,读起来不顺畅,不 紧凑可见,重形合、表意完全依赖形式完整的规范的英语直译成汉语后就不符合重神似、 形式上自由度较高的汉语的习惯有“分”就有“合”,合译是指把原文两个或两个以上的单句或复合句在译文中用一个单句或复句来表达例如:We hope this will go smoothly and you are able to conclude the contract soon.希望一切顺利,并速签合同7. 调整调整 由于译文语序和原文语序并不完全一致,所以在将原文翻译成译文时,必须调整一些语序,以使译文符合译语的表达习惯在调整语序时,有时必须把在原文中后面表达的词放在译文中前面表达,有时要把原文中前面表达的词放在译文中后面表达例如:(1)The Parties hereby agree to establish the Company promptly after the Effective Date in accordance with the EJV Law, the EJV Implementing Regulations, other Applicable Laws, and the provisions of this Contract.译文:双方特此同意在本合同生效后依照合资企业法、合资企业法实施条例、其他相 关法律以及本合同的条款及时成立合营公司。
分析:尽管原文中“in accordance with the EJV Law, the EJV Implementing Regulations, other Applicable Laws, and the provisions of this Contract”作为状 语被放在后面,但在译文中按照中文的习惯被放在了谓语的前面2)Neither Party shall have any liability to the Company except to the extent of its agreed capital contributions. The Company shall be liable to its creditors to the extent of its assets.译文:任何一方仅以其出资额为限对合营公司承担责任合营公司应以其资产对其债 权人承担责任分析:原文中的“except to the extent of its agreed capital contributions”和“to the extent of its assets”在句子后面,但在译文中,它们的对应中文翻译却在句子中 间。
8. 断句断句 在商务文本汉英翻译中,在正确理解原文之后,要用符合英语行文规范的语言将意义表达出来为了做到准确和流畅,要将汉语原文进行适当的断句断句技巧对于长句、难句尤其重要恰当的断句要保证原文含义的完整和上下文的连贯,因为这决定了成文后的英语句子或篇章的重心,因此,必须认真处理例 1:丝绸,从古至今被誉为纤维皇后,她高贵典雅、雍容华贵,是纺织品中的佼佼者分析:这是汉语中典型的“流水句”,我们所讲的断句就是分析它的结构,把它 截断成为适合译成英语的句型就本句而言,考虑到英文的行文规范 和修辞手法,在不改变原文句意的基础上,我们将其断句处理成:高贵、典雅,丝绸一直被誉为纺织品中的皇后分析:断句后的文本将表示相同意义的“佼佼者”和“皇后”合并了,更加简洁 另外,汉语中商品的宣传常将形容词铺陈使用,以达到夸张渲染的目 的,但是英语更注重平实所以,把“雍容华贵”也进行了压缩、删减现试译如下:Noble and elegant, silk has always been the Queen of all textile fibers.例2:① 为贯彻全国外经贸工作会议精神,② 调动一切积极因素,③ 客服亚洲金融危机对外经贸工作的不利影响,④ 全力扩大出口,⑤ 适当增加进口,⑥ 努力推动我市外贸进出口的稳步发展,⑦ 特制订如下九条鼓励出口的措施。
分析:这是一个非常复杂的句子为了便于说明,我们对每个小句进行了编 号处理经过分析,不难发现,⑦是全段的主题句,处于中心地位 ①是拟采取行动的理论依据,②是行动的方法,③是行动的目的,④ ⑤是为此目的而提出的方法,⑥是对④⑤的内容概括因此我们可以 对该段的行文层次进行重新组织,试改写如下:我们制订如下九条措施其目的一是要贯彻全国外经贸会议的精神,二是要调动一切积极因素以全力扩大出口,适当增加进口这些行动旨在推动我市外贸进出口工作,借以克服亚洲金融危机对外经贸工作的不利影响分析:断句重组后的改写版本有利于我们理解原文,理清翻译思路考虑到 公文用语的特点,现翻译如下:In line with the guidance of the recent National Conference on Foreign Trade, the following incentive measures are hereby formulated and proclaimed in our efforts to mobilize all positive factors to overcome the negative impact of the Asian financial crisis on China’s foreign trade,striving for a reasonable growth in import while maintaining an all-out drive to increase export in this city.•Thank • You!。