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英語商務合同常識

白雲飄飄範文網 編輯:pp958

  英語商務合同常識

  1 格式固定

  格式問題,一般原則是客從主人。應用文體的許多格式,都是沿用已久的,具有相對固定的含義,同業見之,照此辦理,節省時間,沒有必要標新立異。如英文外貿信函中的結尾套語,在大多數場合,使用 “yours faithfully”或 “yours sincerely”就足夠了。合同的開頭往往都十分相似的,比如:

  This contract is made and entered into this__day of__, one thousand nine hundred __by and between__ Co., at --(hereinafter referred to as Party A) and __ Co., at__ (hereinafter referred to as Party B).

  本合同於19__年__月__日由__公司,地址:__(以下簡稱甲方)與__公司,地址:__(以下簡稱乙方)簽訂。

  2 語體莊重

  應用文體,雖有平易化的趨勢,但除少數體式外(如廣告),總的說來,措辭簡明、莊重,屬於正式書面語體,翻譯時應避免使用口語詞語。酌情使用文言虛詞及其它書面詞語,往往可以起到言簡意賅的效果,也可以改善長句的分、接問題。

  現代漢語應用文體習用語 現代漢語普通話用語

  即(連詞;副詞) 也就是;立刻、馬上

  茲、現、今(副詞) 現在

  均、皆、概(副詞) 都、全

  本(代詞) 我們、這個

  如(連詞) 如果

  之(助詞) 的(用於名詞性偏正結構中)

  未(副詞) 沒有

  至(介詞) 到

  系(動詞) 是

  業已(副詞) 已經

  此處(代詞、形容詞) 這裡

  一味(副詞) (無對應詞)

  與否(助詞) (位於肯定的動詞或形容詞后,“X與否”,相當於“X不X”)

  以上只是部分詞語,旨在引起學習者注意,請看下面一些譯例:

  1) We should appreciate a prompt reply.

  如蒙即復,不勝感激。

  2) On condition that your order is more than 2 000 tons, we are prepared to offer special price of US $9.10 per set, a 5% discount.

  如定購2 000噸以上,我方準備特價報盤,每套9.10美元,即給5%的折扣

  3) This is to certify that the English translated copy attached hereto is in conformity with the Chinese original copy.

  茲證明,英文譯本與中文正本內容相符。

  4) In reply to your inquiry of 25th March, we are pleased to offer you the following:

  現函復貴方3月25日詢價,並報盤如下:

  5) This Contract shall come into force from the date of execution hereof by the Buyer and the Builder.

  本合同自買方和建造方簽約之日生效。

  6) According to the terms agreed upon, we have drawn on you at sight against shipment through Bank of China here. We would ask you to protect the draft upon presentation.

  根據雙方協議條款,我們已開具了這批船貨的即期匯票,通過此處中國銀行轉去,請見票即付。

  在英文的法律文件和商貿信函中,也有一套慣用的詞語。這些詞語,雖“言之無物”,但酌情使用,能給人一種正式文書的持重感。

  現代英語應用文體習用語 現代英語普通話用語

  hereby (adv.) by this means

  herein(adv.) in this

  hereof(adv.) of, or concerning this

  hereto(adv.) to this

  herewith(adv.) with this

  whereby(adv.) by which

  7) The undersigned hereby certifies that the goods to be supplied are produced in Japan.

  下述簽署人茲保證,供貨將在日本國內製造。

  8) Please find herein a list of chemicals available at present.

  附寄目前可供化工產品貨單一紙,請查收。

  9) This Contract is made by and between the Buyer and the Seller, whereby the Buyer agrees to buy and the Seller agrees to sell the under-mentioned commodity according to the terms and conditions stipulated below.

  買賣雙方同意按下列條款購買、出售下述商品,並簽訂本合同。

  10)中國__公司與__國__公司遵照《中華人民共和國中外合資經營法》及有關法律的規定,本着平等互利的原則, 同意共同投資興辦合資經營企業, 茲簽訂本合同. In accordance with the stipulations of “The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Joint Ventures Using Chinese and Foreign Investment” and other related laws and rules, and on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, __ of the People’s Republic of China(PRC) and __ of __ , both agree to establish a Joint Venture Enterprise with joint investment and hereby sign this contract.

  應用文體, 漢語和英語, 其習語都各成系統。從上面的譯例看,似乎漢語中的“茲”相當於英語中的 “hereby”。事實上,在英漢互譯中,這兩個詞並非能處處對號入座,其它的詞更是如此。這些習語的使用,與其說是 “句意”的要求,不如說是“文體”的要求。因此,根據各自語言表達的需要,有時可適當增譯,如例3)增譯了 “茲”,例4)增譯了“現”;有時又宜省譯,如例9)省譯了 “whereby”。

  3 措辭婉約

  俗話說:“和氣生財。”()這是生意人的金科玉律。因此,英語外貿信函等應用文體,措辭十分講究分寸、得體,避免刺激對方,即使是向對方抱怨,甚至索賠,也是彬彬有禮,十分婉轉。請看下面的例子,注意劃線部分:

  1) We wish to advise you that the relative L/C has been established.

  茲通知,有關信用證業已開出。

  2) I’m afraid we can’t accept your counterbid.

  很抱歉,我們無法接受你方還盤。

  3) I’m afraid we can’t come to terms if you won’t give us 3% discount.

  如果不給3%的折扣,我們恐怕很難成交。

  4) We are looking forward to the pleasure of hearing from you again soon

  .盼早日收到你方回復。

  5) Your immediate attention would be appreciated.

  請即辦理為荷。

  6) You must deliver the goods on board the S.S. “East Wind” within the time limit as stipulated in our contract, otherwise dead freight, if any, should be borne by you.

  你方必須按合同規定的期限將貨裝上 “東風輪”,否則,空艙費將由你方負責。

  7) We are pleased to inform you that goods have been dispatched today.

  貨物今日業已啟運,特此奉告。

  8) We are interested in discussing arts and crafts business with you.

  我們有意與你們洽談工藝品業務。

  9) We are glad to learn from your letter of 21 October that you have decided to place a large order for a number of items included in our quotation of 11 October.

  從10月21日來函欣悉,貴公司決定按我公司10月11日報價單大量定購我公司多種產品。

  10)We might say that our products are the very best on the market.

  順便奉告,我方產品在市場上獨佔鰲頭。

  11)We presume that there must be some reason for your having trouble with this article.

  我方產品給你們帶來麻煩,諒必事出有因。

  類似例子,舉不勝舉,希望引起注意。上面的譯文,雖非“標準”答案,但仔細對照,我們可以悟出一些翻譯原理。比如例1),如果逐詞譯出: “我們願告訴你有關信用證已開出”,就會不倫不類,,讓人啼笑皆非。因此,在英漢互譯時,遇上類似的語句,必須注意增減變通,以期與譯語語體相吻合。

  此外,漢語的應用文體,還有一套敬語,在英漢互譯時要注意靈活轉換。

  4行文嚴謹

  應用文體屬記實性文體,行文準確、嚴謹是其一大特色。試看下面一段文章:

  付款條件:

  Terms of payment:

  (1) 離岸價條款:

  a. 按合同規定賣方應在裝運之前30天用電報或函件通知買方合同號碼、品名、數量、價值、箱號、毛重、尺寸及可在發運港口交貨,以便買方訂艙。

  (1)In case of F.O.B. Terms

  a. The Seller shall, 30 days before the date of shipment stipulated in the contract, advise the Buyer by cable / letter of the Contract NO. , commodity, quantity, value, number of package, gross weight, measurement and the date of readiness at the port of shipment for the Buyer to book shipping space.

  b. 賣方對運貨船抵達後由於未能按期將貨物運交裝運港口而造成的誤船或滯留裝運應承擔責任。

  b. The Seller shall be liable for any dead freight or demurrage(逾期費), should it happen that he has failed to have the commodity ready for loading after the carrying vessel has arrived at the port of shipment on time.

  c. 在貨物裝運之前,賣方應承擔貨物的全部費用與風險,而在貨物裝運之後,貨物的全部費用則由買方承擔。

  c. The Seller shall bear all expenses, risks of the commodity before it passes over the vessel’s rail and is released from the tackle. After it has passed over the vessel’s rail and has been released from the tackle, all expenses of the commodity shall be for the Buyer’s account.

  以上是一份“售購合同”付款條件的一部分,給人的感覺是:行文刻板、拘謹、單調,但條理清楚、措辭準確、滴水不漏。 應用文體,大至國家法規,國際經濟組織章程和文件,小至某項業務的合同,各類涉外公證書、信用證、提單等,都是具有法律效力的文件與單證。擬稿或翻譯時稍有差錯,往往導致貿易糾紛,造成經濟損失,甚至帶來不良的政治影響。要避免錯誤,譯者宜注意以下幾個方面:

  (一)統一譯名,避免歧義

  應用文體中,一些術語或關鍵詞,都有嚴格的意義。在同一篇材料里,為了避免造成概念混亂,使讀者疑為另有所指,原則上要求譯名保持前後一致。如果一開始將 “technical know-how”譯成“專有技術”,就不要中途改譯“技術秘密”或“專門技術”;如果一開始將 “information”譯為“情報”,就不要中途改譯“信息”。在重要的合同里,關鍵詞都會有明確的書面定義。例如:

  Section 1:Party A shall deliver to Party B as soon as possible after this Agreement becomes effective, but in any event within 60 days thereafter, at Party B’s address set forth above, all the Technical and Sales Information relating to Licensed Product.

  第一條:甲方應儘快在協議生效后,或最遲在本協議生效后六十天內,按上開乙方地址交給乙方有關特許產品的全部技術與銷售情報。

  Definitions

  Section1. The term Technical and Sales Information as used herein shall mean all data and information which A owns on the date hereof or develop or acquire during the term of this agreement , and which relates to the manufacture and / or sale of licensed Products and includes assembly and detailed drawings, parts lists, material specifications and manufacturing methods and procedures relating to the licensed Products as well as sales and publicity materials such as catalogs, explanation materials, pamphlets, photographs, layout books, and sales materials.

  定義:

  第一條:本協議所用“技術與銷售情報”的含義,是指甲方在本協議期間發展或獲得的,同生產和/ 或銷售“特許產品”有關的組裝或部分圖紙、配件表、原料規格、生產方法、生產程序以及推銷宣傳材料,諸如:目錄、使用說明書、小冊子、照片、圖樣書冊和銷售資料等。

  (二) 不厭其詳,但求嚴謹

  總的說來,應用文體措辭簡潔,但另一方面,為了避免歧義或差錯,擬稿和翻譯時,又要不厭其詳。有些文字,看似多餘,但求嚴謹,又是必不可少的。如果將“裝貨 須在4月1日至5月1日完成” 英譯成“Shipment is to be effected during the period beginning on April 1and ending on May 1”,我們就不清楚這個裝貨期限是否包括4月1日和5月1日這兩天。根據漢語原意,為明確起見,譯文就應增補“both dates inclusive”。

  在“售購合同”里,常會有程式化的句子,如:

  買賣雙方同意,按下列條款由買方購進,由賣方出售下述商品,並簽訂本合同。

  譯為:

  The Contract is made by and between the Buyer and the Seller, whereby the Buyer agrees to buy and the Seller agrees to sell the undermentioned commodity according to the terms and conditions stipulated below.

  “合同”的訂立,英語同時使用了 “by” 和“between”兩個介詞,這也是英語合同語言嚴謹的一個表現,表示該“合同”是由雙方訂立,並在雙方之間執行,不涉及任何第三方。再者,如果泛指 “條款”,譯文不能漏掉“conditions”, 因為某個合同條款的達成經常包括若干條件。以合同中的“支付條款(terms of payment)”為例,在合同簽訂前,買賣雙方首先要商討採用什麼方式支付,如:是採用信用證支付,還是採用銀行托收。如果雙方商定採用信用證支付方 式,也就是把 “terms”定下來了。此後雙方須進一步商討與此有關的 “conditions”,比如買方何時開立信用證,如果買方不按時開證怎麼辦等,這些有關支付的 “terms” 和“conditions” 合在一起,才構成合同中的“支付條款”。

  在外貿英語里,我們常會看到and / or這樣的結構,這種結構的運用,也是行文嚴謹的一個表現,翻譯時應特別注意不要漏譯。例如:

  Advance freight and/or freight payable at destination shall be paid to the carrier in full, irrespective (regardless) of whatever damage or loss may happen to ship and cargo or either of them.

  預付運費和到付運費,或其中之一,無論船舶及所載貨物,或其中之一遭受任何損壞或滅失,都應毫不例外地全額付給承運人。

  (三)推敲詞義,準確措辭

  涉外文書,往往涉及某項業務雙方的權利和義務,弄不好則發生糾紛,因此,其譯文質量如何,與措辭是否準確有極大的關係。措辭要求最為嚴格的算是涉外合同的翻譯了。為了維護法律的尊嚴,一詞一語都應力求無懈可擊。下面以《中外合資經營企業法》的英譯文為例,加以說明:

  1. 此法中多處提到“外國合營者”和“中國合營者”,起初分別譯為 “foreign partners” 和“Chinese partners”(即“外國合股人”和“中國合股人”),然而 “partner”一詞卻大有空子可鑽。因為根據國際慣例,所有“partners”是要共同承擔經濟責任和風險的。比如,你在中國做生意,但若你的 “partners”未經你的同意在美國借了錢,你也必須完全負責任。因此,此法定稿時,將“合營者”的譯法全部有“partners”改成了 “participants”。

  2. 此法第八條規定:“合營者的註冊資本如果轉讓須經合營各方同意。”這句最初譯為:

  A transfer of the registered capital belonging to any partner shall be effected with the consent of the other partner or partners.

  後來改譯為:

  The transfer of one party’s share in the registered capital shall be effected only with the consent of the other parties to the venture.

  第二種譯法,除未使用“partner” 外,還將“the registered capital belonging to any partner(屬於任何一個經營者的註冊資本)”改為“one party’s share in the registered capital(一個合營者在註冊資本中所佔的份額)”,想來是很有道理的。因為註冊資本是整個企業的註冊資本,不存在你的或我的註冊資本。

  3. 此法第十條說:“鼓勵外國合營者將可匯出的外幣存入中國銀行。”此句曾譯為:

  A foreign participant shall be encouraged to deposit in the Bank of China any part of the foreign exchange which he is entitled to remit abroad.

  後來改譯為:

  A foreign participant shall receive encouragements for depositing in the Bank of China any part of the foreign exchange which he is entitled to remit abroad.

  第二種譯法將 “beencouraged” 改為 “receive encouragements” 兩者的意思是大不一樣的。前者只是道義上的概念,並無法律和經濟上的意義。兩種譯文都增加了“any part”, 這樣處理是不得已的,因為如果不譯成“any part of the foreign exchange”而譯成“the foreign exchange”, 那就意味着外國合營者只是在將他可以匯出的全部外匯存入中國銀行時才能受到優待,存一部分時就不受到優待,反而與中文意思不符。此外,兩種譯文都將“可匯出的外匯”譯成“which he is entitled to remit abroad”, 而沒有譯成 “which he may remit abroad”, 是因為“可匯出,還是不可匯出”,此處是個法律概念,所以,用 “be entitled(有權)”一語來表達更為恰當。

  除涉外合同外,正式的外貿函電也具有法律效力,因此,翻譯時也務必講究分寸,措辭準確,這裡就不再贅述了。