泰柯上海:021-60128125   13062622035
工程技术翻译

Email: tectrans@163.com
医学翻译
泰柯翻译
20年翻译经验
新闻中心
NEWS CENTER
合同翻译句法讲解
来源: | 作者:taikefy | 发布时间: 2020-11-11 | 963 次浏览 | 分享到:

句法特点与翻译要点
如果说商务合同的用词具有专业、准确、正式的特点,那么商务合同的句法则有结构严谨、句式较长的特点。句子的状语(从句)和定语(从句)等附加成分很多,且往往位置明显,对主句意义进行解释、限制或补充,一则可以体现这种文体庄严的风格、严谨的结构和清晰的逻辑;二则便于排除被曲解、误解而出现歧义引发争端的可能性,维护双方的合法权益。虽然商务合同英文中的句法特点有很多,比如多用陈述句、多用现在时、多用被动语态、多用名词性结构等等,但本节结合翻译难点,重点探讨长句,尤其是条件从句的特点和翻译方法。
1. 长句及其翻译
与普通英语相比较而言,商务合同英语中的句子结构就其长度和使用从句的连续性要复杂得多。分析合同长句的基本方法是:首先,要找出全句的主语、谓语和宾语,即句子的主干结构;其次,要找出句子中所有的谓语结构、非谓语结构、介词短语和从句的引导词,然后再分析从句和短句的功能,即:是否是主语从句、宾语从句、表语从句或状语从句等,以及词、短语和从句之间的关系。分析句子中是否有固定搭配、插入语等其他成分。
1)  The Buyer may, within 15 days after arrival of the goods at the destination, lodge a claim against the Seller for short-weight being supported by Inspection Certificate issued by a reputable public surveyor.
这是一个简单长句,其主干为The Buyer may…lodge a claim…。修饰谓语动词的状语有三个,分别表示时间(within 15 days after arrival of the goods at the destination)、方式(being supported by Inspection Certificate issued by a reputable public surveyor)和原因(for short-weight)。诸多状语尽管在原文中位置灵活,然而在译文里,须按照汉语的行文规范适当进行调整:方式状语一般应置于动词之前;其他状语可以灵活处理,如本句中的时间状语可以提前至句首。
(货物抵达目的港15天内,买方可以凭有信誉的公共检验员出示的检验证明向卖方提出短重索赔。)
2) 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.
       本句的主干是it shall indemnify and keep indemnified... against... the other Party and the company。If引导的是条件从句,条件句的宾语部分跟随后置定语(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也跟了后置定语(available to the other Party under this contract or under Applicable Laws)。That引导的则是后置定语修饰紧邻的五个名词。基于以上分析,再结合汉语的行文习惯(条件在前,结构在后以及定语在所修饰的核心词之前),即可翻译成:如果一方违反任何其根据第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因此种违反而招致的任何损失、损害、费用、开支、责任或索赔。
3) The Seller shall not be responsible for the delay of shipment or non delivery of the goods due to Force Majeure, which might occur during the process of manufacturing or in the course of loading or transit.
上句中信息的重心在句首,先表明卖方的免责事项,接着再规定由于什么原因引起的不能交货或延迟交货才会免责,后对不可抗力又做了限定。按照汉语的思维习惯,往往先谈原因,再讲结论,因此采用颠倒顺序的译法更合理。
(凡在制造或装船运输过程中,因不可抗力致使卖方不能或推迟交货时,卖方不负责任。)
2、条件句及其翻译
  商务合同主要约定合同各方应享有的权利和应履行的义务,但由于这种权利的行使和义务的履行均赋有各种条件,所以条件句的大量使用成为商务合同的一个特点。条件句多由下列连接词引导:if, in the event of, in case (of), should, provided (that), subject to, unless otherwise等。比如:If the third party accuses the Party B of infringement, Party B shall take up the matter…(如果第三方指控乙方侵权,乙方应负责……)
1) In the event of any loss caused by the delay in the delivery, the Representative can claim a compensation from the Manufacturer with a certificate and detailed list registered by the administration authorities of the Representative’s site.
(若因任何交货延误导致的代理方损失,代理方可凭代理方所在地行政当局登记的损失清单向制造方索赔,但须出具证明。)
2) Should all or part of the contract be unable to be fulfilled owing to the fault of one party, the breaching party shall bear the responsibilities thus caused. Should it be the fault of both parties, they shall bear their respective responsibilities according to actual situations.
(由于一方的过失,造成本合同不能履行或不能完全履行时,由过失一方承担违约责任。若属双方过失,则根据实际情况,由双方分别承担各自应负的违约责任。)
1)Either Side can replace the representatives it has appointed provided that it submits a written notice to the other Side.
(任何一方都可更换自己指派的代表,但须书面通知对方。)
归纳上述各例,除了句(Either Side can replace the representatives it has appointed provided that it submits a written notice to the other Side )以外,条件句均置于主句之前,英译汉时译成“如果”或“若”即可。而当条件句置于主句之后时,在翻译这些引导条件句的连词或短语时,可按动态等值理论视具体情况而定,切勿生搬硬套。该句中的provided that表示合同该条款需作进一步规定或在作规定时语气上的转折,因而应译为“但是”才使译文过渡自然,符合汉语的表达规范,达到功能对等的效果。

最新文章

热门阅读

热门翻译项目: