商务合同的特点及翻译.doc

大纲
商务合同的定义
商务合同翻译理论、标准及原则
商务合同词汇特点
商务合同中常用介词短语翻译
商务合同句式特点及翻译
商务合同中的固定句型及其翻译
总结商务合同的翻译技巧
分析正式合同
学习参考
附录
商务合同的定义
《中华人民共和国合同法》第二条规定：“合同是平等主体的自然人、法人、其他组织之间设立、变更、终止民事权利义务关系的协议”。
A contract in this Law refers to an agreement establishing, modifying and terminating the civil rights and obligations between subjects of equal footing, that is, between natural persons, legal persons or other organizations.
商务合同是自然人或法人为实现一定的商务目的，按照法律程序达成的旨在规定相互权利和义务的契约，对签约双方都具有法律约束力。因具有涉外性质，通常采用中英文书面形式。
Commercial contract refers to an agreement stipulating mutual rights and obligations of the natural persons or legal persons who formulate it according to legal procedure to achieve some business-related purpose.
商务合同按其繁简程度可以采用正式合同（Contract），协议书（Agreement），确认书（Confirmation），备忘录（Memorandum）,或订单（Order）等。
商务合同翻译理论、标准及原则
总要求：格式固定、语体庄重、措辞婉约、行文严谨
条理性、规范性、严谨性

框架理论frame and scripts

最高标准：功能对等（functional equivalence）

术语对等翻译原则（terminology equivalence)
*追求商务英语翻译地道、统一的关键

商务合同词汇特点
1.大量使用专业术语（单义性，排斥多义性和歧义性）
floating policy(统保单）
bill of lading(提单）
exercise price(敲定价格）
liquidated damages(违约金）
fixed charge(固定抵押）
down payment(定金）
*国际通用，无歧义，无个人感情色彩要求选词严谨，翻译准确。
2. 频繁使用半专业词汇
point(汇价点） discharge(偿清债务)
discount(贴现率） dishonor(拒付）
swap(互惠信贷) bundling(捆绑式销售）
collection(托收） service(劳务收支）
*区分特定语境下的具体词义
3.多使用语体正式的词或词组代替口头化的词或词组
constitute (include) purchase (buy)
prior/previous to (before)
effect (make) grant (give)
certify (prove) levy (charge)
inform (tell) solicit (seek)
initiate (begin) terminate (end)
*文体更加庄重，增加严肃感和严谨性。
o e.g.
o In case Party B places orders for less than 1000 sets in three months from the date on which the agreement is signed, party A shall have the rights to terminate this agreement by giving notice in writing to Party B.
如果在协议签订后三个月内，B方的订货少于1000台，A方将有权以书面通知形式告知B方终止本协议。
4.多使用介词短语代替简单的介词和连词
for the purpose of (for)
in the case of (if)
on the ground that (because)
in accordance with (according to)
with reference to (about)
*传递意义上更加清晰准确，避免模棱两可，体现庄重严谨的特点。
5.同义词叠用
made and entered into(签订协议）
by and between(强调合同是由“双方”签订）
complains and claims(索赔）
fulfill or perform(履行)
e.g.
This Agreement, and all rights vested in the Second Party, shall forthwith become null and void, if the Second Party shall violate, or omit to perform, any of the following terms, provisions and conditions.
若乙方违反或没有执行以下条款及条件，本协议及其赋予乙方的所有权利即失效。
6.同一性及一致性等
自始至终使用同一词汇表达同一概念和思想是合同起草的黄金法则。
e.g.
第九条：The industry and commerce administration may cancel its business license.
第十一条：The industry and commerce administration may revoke its business license.
工商行政管理机关可以吊销其营业执照。
7. 古体词的使用
在这些复合副词中，here表示this，there表示that，where表示what或which。

hereafter(此后，今后)
hereby(特此，兹)
herein(此中，于此，本合同中)
hereinafter(以下，此后，在下文)
hereof(于此，在本合同中)
hereto (于此)
hereunder(在下文，据此，根据本合同)
hereunto（于此）
herewith（与此一道）
thereafter（此后，后来）
thereby (因此，由此，在那方面)
therefrom（由此、从此）
therein（其中，在其中）
thereinafter（在下文）
thereof（关于、由此，其中）
thereto（此外，附随）
thereunder（在其下，据此、依据）
whereas（鉴于）
whereby(因此,由是，据此)
wherefore（为此，因此）
wherein（在那方面）
whereof(关于那事/人)

翻译实例：
1. 原文：Party B should bear all the losses herefrom.
译文：乙方需承担由此产生的一切费用。
2. 原文：Party B shall inspect the raw materials supplied by Party A immediately upon receipt thereof由此，在其中，关于
.
译文：乙方一收到甲方提供的原材料应立即进行检验。

商务合同中常用介词短语翻译

As per 按照，根据
In accordance with 根据，依据
According to 按照，根据，依照
Pursuant to 根据，按照
Under 根据，按照
By 凭，依据

Against 凭，依据，以……为条件
In the light of 根据，依据，
In line with 依据，依照
In conformity with 遵照，按照
By virtue of 按照，根据
Subject to 根据，依照

……
商务合同句式特点及翻译
句子结构通常较为复杂，句式规范，文体正式，经常使用长句和被动结构，广泛使用固定句型和套语。
要求句式讲究，条理清晰，结构严谨

o 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条第1款或第18条第2款所做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。

主干：it shall indemnify and keep indemnified…against…
If条件状语从句：主语+谓语+宾语+后置定语。
in addition to 引导增补成分，核心词remedies,后接后置定语。补充说明，句意严谨。
that 引导后置定语修饰前面5个并列名词。
*顺译法

被动语态
要求客观公正，准确无误，被动语态不带个人主观性，强调客观性和事实，重在表达动作本身而不在执行者，符合商务英语客观、庄重的文体特征。
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。
商务合同中的固定句型及其翻译
1. 1.1 The contract is made by and between the seller and the buyer…, whereby…
1.2 The undersigned buy and seller have confirmed…in accordance with the following terms and conditions:
1.3 Party A and Party B hereby agree to conclude the contract in accordance with the following terms and conditions:
三句皆可套译为：“买卖（甲乙）双方依据……特立约如下：”
2. Subject to the conditions hereafter set forth, Party B will protect …
在下列情况下，乙方将保证……
此处subject表示“在……情况下，根据……规定”
3. 3.1 Without prejudice to any rights which exist under the applicable laws or under the Subcontract, the Contractor shall be entitled to withhold or defer payment of all parts of any sum otherwise due by the Contractor to the Subcontractor.
在不影响按适用法律或分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。
3.2Without prejudice to your powers and discretions…
不是贵行权利和任意决定受到损害……
3.3Without prejudice to the contractor’s rights to…
在不影响承包商权利的情况下……
此处without prejudice to 意为“在不影响……的条件下；在不损害……的原则下”
4. 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
For the purpose of 意为：“就……而言”
5. Unless otherwise stipulated in the Letter of Credit, the expression “shipment” used in stipulating an earliest and/or latest shipment date shall be understood to include to the expression “loading on board”, “dispatch” and “taking in charge”.
除非信用证另有规定，用于规定最早及/最迟装运期的“装运”一词应理解为包括“装运船”、“发运”和“接受监督”。
6. Unless otherwise specified in writing herein, all Confidential Information must be returned to the disclosing Party or destroyed on the expiration of the period of the receiving Party’s using such Confidential Information.
除非本协议另有书面规定，所有机密信息在接收方使用期限届满时必须退还给披露方或者销毁。
7. This contract is made in two originals that should be held by each party.
此合同一式二份，由双方各持一正本。
8. What is left unmentioned in contract may be added there as an appendix.
合同未尽事宜，可由双方增补作为合同附件。
9. The Contract is written in quadruplicate (two for original and copy respectively) which shall become valid on the date of signature.
合同一式四份（正副本各两份）自签署后生效
10. This Contract is executed in two counterparts each in Chinese and English, each of which shall be deemed equally authentic. This contract is in 2 copies effective since being signed/sealed by both parties.
本合同为中英文两种文本，两种文本具有同等效力。本合同一式两份。自双方签字（盖章）之日起生效。
11. This contract is made by and between the buyers and sellers，whereby the buyers agree to buy and the sellers agree to sell the under-mentioned. Commodities according to the terms and conditions stipulated below.
本合同由买卖双方签订，根据本合同条款，买方同意购买，卖方同意出售以下产品。
12. 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。
13.This agreement is made on (date).
本合同签订于（日期）。
14. This agreement is made between (full name of party A) of the address of party A, a/an (description and nationality of the party A), and (full name of party B) of (address of party B), a/an (description nationality of the party B).
(甲方的全称)（地址）（性质描述）（国籍）及
（乙方的全称）（地址）（性质描述）（国籍）签订本合同。
15. SALE AND PURCHASE OF GOODS. The Seller agrees to sell to the Buyer, and the Buyer agrees to purchase from the Seller, goods (the “Goods”) that are (specify either as described in the attached Exhibit证据
A, which is incorporated into使成为…的一部分
this Agreement or of the following type for the price and quantity stated).
Model Number:
Description:
Quantity:
Price:
Item:
Total Price:
买方同意购买，卖方同意出售以下所述（或本合同附件A所述）
（货物）型号：
描述：
数量：
价格：
细目：
总价：
16. TERMS OF PAYMENT. The Buyer will pay the purchase price (specify e.g., on or before (date) or not later than (number) days before the Delivery Date). The payment must be remitted to the Seller at (the address stated above or specify other address). The payment must be made in (currency) by means of (instrument of transfer).
在（日期）之前或发货前（数字）天，买方向卖方支付货款（金额）。付款必须以（币种）形式通过（支付手段）汇至如下（地址）。
17. COSTS AND CHARGES. The Buyer is responsible for the following costs and charges incurred in the sale and transport of the goods: (list). The Seller is responsible for the following costs and charges incurred in the sale and transport of the goods: (list).
在货物的销售和运输过程中，买卖双方承担的费用如下：（列表）。
包装条款（packaging agreements），装运条款（transportation and delivery of goods），保险条款（insurance），货物物权条款（title to goods），进出口文件条款（import/export documentation）， 发票条款（invoices），禁止在出口条款（re-exportation prohibition），检验权条款（inspection rights），担保条款（warranties）

总结商务合同的翻译技巧
1. 名词，动词，形容词，介词之间的转换译法。
e.g. 绝对不允许合同任何一方有违反支付条款的行为。
No violation by either party hereto本协议各方
of any payment clause or clauses can be tolerated.

2. 直译法，增译法，省略法，正反译法（用否定句表示肯定意思，用肯定句表示否定意思
e.g. Your loss was beyond the coverage granted by us.你方损失不在我方承保范围之内。 ）

3. 顺译法，逆译法，综合译法，拆分译法等。
e.g. The employer hereby covenants to pay the contractor in consideration of作为对……的酬报
the execution and completion of the works and the remedying of defects therein the contract price or such other sum as may become payable under the provision of the contract at the time and in the manner prescribed by the contract.
雇主特此立约，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，或合同规定的其他应支付的款项，作为本工程施工、竣工及修补工程缺陷的报酬。

分析正式合同
一份正式合同通常包括以下内容：
1. 合同名称，即标题（Title）。
2. 前言，序文（Preamble）。
A． 合同当事人的名称或姓名、国籍、主营业所或住所(Signing Parties and Each Party’s Authority)。
B． 合同签订的日期与地点(Date and Place of Signing)。
C． 订约缘由（Recitals[rɪ'saɪt(ə)l]叙述之事
or Whereas Clause）。
D． 合同的类型和合同标的的种类、范围(Type of the Contract and the Kind, Scope of the Subject Matter of the contract)。
3. 正文(Body)。
A． 定义条款（Definition Clause）。
包括合同标的的技术条件、质量、标准、规格、数量（Technical Conditions, Quality, Standard, Specifications and Quantities of the Subject Matter of the Contract）。
B. 基本条款（Basic Conditions）。
包括价格条件、支付金额、支付方式和各种附带的费用（Terms of Price, Amount and Way of Payment, and Various Additional Charge）。
C. 一般条款（General Terms and Conditions）。
包括合同有限期（Duration），合同的终止(Termination)，不可抗力(Force Majeure)，合同的让与(Assignment)，仲裁(Arbitration)，适用的法律(Governing Law)，诉讼管辖（Jurisdiction），合同的修改(Amendment)及其他(others)。
4. 结尾条款（Witness Clause）。
A． 合同使用的文字及其效力（Language and Validity）。
B． 签名（Signature）。
C． 盖章（Seal）。
……（详见合同样本及图片）

学习参考
1. 世贸人才网：
2. 法律英语学习网:
3. 张林玲. 商务英语合同翻译与写作[M]. 北京: 机械工业出版社, 2009.
4. 董晓波. 商务文本翻译[M]. 北京: 清华大学出版社, 2012.
5. 袁洪. 商务翻译实务[M]. 北京: 对外经济贸易出版社, 2011.

附录

合同的种类
a long-term contract 长期合同
a short-term contract 短期合同
completion of contract 完成合同
contract for future delivery 期货合同
contract for goods 订货合同
contract for purchase 采购合同
contract for service 劳务合同
labor contract  劳动合同
contract note 买卖合同（证书）
contract of arbitration 仲裁合同
contract of carriage /Carriage Contract运输合同
Passenger Carriage Contract 客运合同
Cargo Carriage Contract     货运合同
Technology Contract  技术合同
Technology Development Contract技术开发合同
Technology Transfer Contract技术转让合同
Technical Consulting Contract技术咨询合同
Technical Service Contract技术服务合同
Safekeeping Contract 保管合同
Warehousing Contract  仓储合同
Agency Appointment Contract 委托合同
Trading-Trust Contract 行纪合同
Brokerage Contract 居间合同
Multi-modal Carriage Contract多式联运合同
contract of employment 雇佣合同
contract of insurance 保险合同
contract of sale 销售合同
Sales Contract 买卖合同
Contract for Supply of Power, Water, Gas , Or Heat 供电、水、气、热合同
Gift Contract 赠与合同
Contract for Loan of Money 借款合同
contract law  合同法
Leasing Contract  租赁合同
Financial Leasing Contract 融资租赁合同
Contracts of Hired Work 承揽合同
Contracts for Construction Project 建设工程合同
contract life 合同有效期
a nice fat contract 一个很有利的合同
a written contract 书面合同
an executor contract 尚待执行的合同
breach of contract 违反合同
cancellation of contract 撤消合同
contract parties 合同当事人
contract period (or contract term) 合同期限
contract price 合约价格
contract provisions/stipulations 合同规定
contract sales 订约销售
contract terms (or contract clause) 合同条款
contract wages 合同工资
contract 合同，订立合同
contractor 订约人，承包人
contractual claim 根据合同的债权
contractual damage 合同引起的损害
contractual dispute 合同上的争议
contractual guarantee 合同规定的担保
contractual income 合同收入
contractual liability/obligation 合同规定的义务
contractual practice/usage 合同惯例
contractual specifications 合同规定
contractual terms & conditions 合同条款和条件
contractual 合同的，契约的
contractual-joint-venture 合作经营，契约式联合经营
copies of the contract 合同副本
originals of the contract 合同正本
execution of contract/performance of contract  履行合同
expiration of contract 合同期满
interpretation of contract 解释合同
renewal of contract 合同的续订

……