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国际商务英语是什么(商务英语和国际商务的区别)

发布者:高原明
导读国际商务英文合同中的用词正确选择国际商务合同中的词语是构成合同文本最基本的单位。对合同文本中的一些单词词义的正确选择,是翻译合同文书的前提和基础,必须仔细推敲,选择最确切的词义。例如co

国际商务英文合同中的用词正确选择(上部分)



国际商务合同中的词语是构成合同文本最基本的单位。对合同文本中的一些单词词义的正确选择,是翻译合同文书的前提和基础,必须仔细推敲,选择最确切的词义。

例如:cover一词,作为动词讲一般都理解为“包括”,例如:The prices quoted in the brochure cover packing and are subject to 35%trade discount,可译为:“小册子所报的价格包括包装费在内,可有35%的商业折扣。”但以下的含有cover的句子,就不能将cover译成“包括”:



(1) No doubt there must have been some reason for the delay in shipment. To cover this contingency we cabled you On Mar.29 that we were extending the letter of credit for two weeks.

句中的cover应理解为“应付”,全句可译成:

无疑,一定有某种致使装船延误的原因。为应付这一意外事件,我方已于3月29日电告你方,将信用证延期两周。



(2)If Party A insists on ifs original quotation. Party B will have to cover its requirements elsewhere

句中的cover指“购进货物”,全句可译成:

如果甲方坚持原报价,则乙方只能从其他方面购进其需要的货物。



(3)In order to cover our order, we have arranged with the Bank of China, Dalian Branch, a credit for USD 55,000.

句中的cover在这里表示“偿付”,全句可译成:

为支付我方订货,我方已联系中国银行大连分行开立55,000美元的信用证。



(4)Party B shall cover the goods with particular average.

句中的cover在这里的含义为:to insure sth against loss,全句可译成:

乙方将对该货物投保水渍险。



英译汉是如此,汉译英时也应该注意同类的问题。请看下面的句子:

如在解释上有分歧,应以英文本为准。

该句中的“解释”在汉英词典上可以有多种选择,如:explanation,construe,exposition,interpretation,但该句中的“解释”是对依法成立的合同条款的正式性解释,应选择interpretation,全句可译成:

In case Of any divergence Of interpretations, the English text shall prevail.



以上例子仅是选择词义的一个方面。本单元就合同翻译时经常碰到的词义处理问题,归纳为三个方面:同义词的选择,一词多义的问题,容易混淆的词的处理。现分述如下:



1. Choice of Synonyms同义词的选择

同义词在英语中为数不少,在合同英语中也时常出现,翻译时必须作出正确选择。否则,如果同义词选用不当,轻者会影响双方的权利义务;重者可能造成履约争议。同义词的选择,通常从以下几方面着手:

1) Considering the Connotation根据单词的内进行选择

合同中出现的同义词,从字面理解仿佛没有很大区别,但仔细研究其内涵就会发现,它们在表现出共性的同时,也体现着它们的个性。这就要求译者必须深人细致地精研其本质的区别,选出最恰当的单词。

例如,合同中经常出现的to perform a contract, to fulfill a contract, to execute a contract, to implement a contract,这些短语都可以表示“履行合同”,从字面上看都对。然而在具体的合同条款中,表示履行不同的合同义务时,其用法是有区别的。



「例1」关于79HP一106号合同项下尚未执行的180公吨NY2一11低密度聚乙烯,我们仍然认为贵方应尽快开证以保证履行合同。我们提请贵方注意,the Adviser Inc.和贵方同时向我方购买NY2—11低密度聚乙烯,他们已经在我方主动调价后不久履行了原合同,而且又和我们签订了较大数量的新合同。

With respect to the outstanding 180 M/r of low-density polyethylene NY2—11 under Contract No.79HP一106,we insist that you must open the covering letter of credit the soonest possible to secure the performance of the contract. We hereby would like to call your attention to the fact that the Adviser Inc. , Who purchased LDPE NY2—11 from us at the same time as you did have fulfilled their commitment under the previous Contract not long after we offered our regulated price and signed a new contract covering substantial quantity.



该句子出现的“履行”分别使用了perform和fulfill.我们首先研究一下这对同义词的内涵:perform的法律含义是:to do what one party is obliged to do by a contract; fulfill的法律含义是:t0 do everything which is promised in a contract.其次,再研究一下合同各方应履行的合同义务:涉外合同一经生效,双方当事人必须全面地、适当地履行合同中的义务,但是具体对某一方合同当事人来讲,就是履行合同中最属于他应该履行的那部分责任和义务。比如,在国际货物销售合同中,对买方来说,“履行合同”的概念就是payment,当然与payment有关的义务还有采用何种方式和支付工具付款等。如果该合同的价格条件是FOB的话,买方还要负责租船订舱,支付运费,并将船期、船号及时通知卖方等。因此,如果强调合同的一方履行合同与所规定的该方的那部分具体义务相同,应该是fulfill a contract.如果是泛指双方在合同中的各项责任和义务都应得到履行,则选用perform a contract较合适。又如:The Contractor shall fulfill all of its duties and obligations in carrying out its work and services hereunder(承租人必须忠实信守和履行下列各项规则)。



「例2」合同在有效期内,双方对合同产品涉及的技术如有改进和发展,应相互免费将改进和发展的技术资料提供给对方使用。

Within the validity term of the Contract, both parties shall supply each other with the improvement and development of the technology related to the Contract Products free of charge.

该句的谓语动词“提供”一词用了supply,就不如provide确切。尽管这两个词都表示“供给”,但在牵涉到金钱时,provide则表示to give sb sth free of charge, supply则不太明确,一般来说需要给钱。因此,该条款虽然明确了free of charge,但用provide更恰当。



「例3」改进和开发的技术,其所有权属于改进和开发一方。

这一条的重点主要规定改进后的技术专有权归属问题,所以该句中正确地选择“属于”一词是很关键的。有人选择belong to,也有人选择possess,还有人用own,这三个词均可以表示“属于”。我们分析一下这三个词的内涵,belong t0的含义是指“属于……财产”;possess和own虽然都着重于“所属关系”,但possess只指目前属于某人,并没有讲是如何得到的;而own含有“对……合法占有”,与原文意思一致,故把这一条款译成:

The improved and developed technology shall be owned by the party who has improved and developed the technology.



如果将“属于”改用belong to,其主语就应该是ownership,表示“所有权属于……”,因为the improved and developed technology属于“知识产权”,而这种权利与物质财产有直接联系。这样,该句还可以调整如下:



The ownership of any improved and developed technology shall belong to the party who has improved and developed the technology.

「例4」本细则的解释权,属于中华人民共和国财政部。

句中的“属于”是指power 0r right will be present or vested in sb or a body,故应选用reside in.全句译成:



The right of interpreting the detailed Rules and Regulations resides in the Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China.

2) Considering the Grammar根据句法要进行选择



有些英语同义词的选择,是由句子的结构和搭配所要求的,这时译者应认真研究这些同义词的搭配关系,避免出现句法搭配上的错误。



「例5」合资经营企业的一切活动应遵守中华人民共和国法律。

这一条款中“遵守”一词,英语中有observe, obey, abide by, comply with等,在选择表示“遵守”的词汇时,应根据句子搭配关系进行选择。本句子中的主语是activity,汉语翻译时应选择comply with,表示to act in accordance with a provision, rule, demand,故全句译成:

All the activities of a joint venture shall comply with the provision of laws, decrees and pertinent regulations of the People's Republic of China.



在使用observe和abide by时,其主语应该是合同的当事人,

例如:The Contractor shall observe and abide by all applicable laws, rules and regulations in connection with the Work(

承包方必须遵守和服从与该项工程有关的一切适用的法律、规章和条例。



再如,合同经常出现的“由于”,在英语中,常用以下一组短语来表达:due to, owing to, in view of, because of. considering, in consideration.请比较下列句子:



(3)Sources suggested that this decline in exports is largely due to a sharp cutback in the credit offered by the Thai government to these countries.

有消息说,这种出口下降主要是由于泰国政府向这些国家提供的信贷大幅度削减所造成的。



(4) Because of the exceptional demand for electric blankets due to the prolonged cold weather. we are at present out of stock of the make you wish to order.

由于天气持续寒冷,电热毯需求量特大,你方欲订购的制品目前正缺货。



以上两句中,由due to引出的短语均属形容词性质的短词,分别在句中作表语和定语,一般不引出状语。引出状语,表示“由于”的短语往往选用because of和owing to.例如:

Owing to the increasing demand for this type of our products, our stocks have run very low.

由于对此种产品的需求日益增长,我方的存货已不多了。



(6)In consideration of your consistently good credibility, we can accept payment by D/P.

由于贵公司信誉一直很好,我们可以同意以付款单的方式接受付款。

句子中的in consideration of引出的短语也可以表示“由于”,一般作状语,而后面的介词宾语必须是褒义词,一般不用贬义词。



3) Considering the Style根据合同的文体进行选择

合同英语属条法英语,其文件的基本要求是用词规范、正式、符合约定俗成的含义。

在选择同义词时,译者应充分考虑合同文本的特点,选择符合合同文体的正式的规范的词汇,不能容许在文字选择上存在随意性。



「例6」买方须于销售确认书第三条所规定日期之前开出本批交易的信用证。否则,售方有权不经通知取消本确认书,或接受买方对本售货确认书未履行的全部或一部分,或对因此遭受的损失提出索赔。

The Buyer shall establish the covering letter of credit before the date specified in Clause Three of this Sales /confirm/iation, failing which the Seller reserves the right lo rescind without further notice, or to accept whole or any part of this Sales Confirmation not fulfilled by the Buyer, or to lodge a claim for losses sustained. if any.



该句条款中的“有权”,英文合同中大多选择:to have the right或keep the right,但该句选用reserve the right to do sth. 比前两种表达更正式,因为reserve本身就属条法英语中的专用词汇,表示to have a specified power of right in law.比如,我们经常看到的“版权所有”,用英语表达就是All rights reserved.句中的“取消”,英文中有cancel, abolish, call off等表达方式,而本句选用rescind专门指cancel a contract or an agreement;句中“提出赔偿”中的“提出”,选用了lodge,在合同英语中其宾语只能是a claim或claims,合在一起to lodge a claim就是“提出索赔”。如果用raise ,put forward ,advance,尽管都可译为“提出”,但都不能准确地表述“提出赔偿”的含义。例如,用a claim作raise的宾语,写成raise a claim,意思便成了“提出某项要求”。



「例7」如乙方在技术资料的交付方面违约,不应要求甲方立即支付任何专利权使用费。

Party A shall not be asked to pay at once any royalties in default on the part of Party B to the Delivery of Technical documentation.



该译文中的ask应更换为require ,ask和require的意思虽然都是“要求”,但后者更正式;句中的at once应更换为forthwith,因为forthwith是公文体,较at once或immediately正式、严谨。例如:The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Joint Venture Company shall be formed forthwith upon satisfaction of the conditions(缔约各方确认并同意,一旦条件符合,合资经营公司便立即组成)。



「例8」公司的任何一方未经董事会一致通过及中国主管审批部门的批准,不得向第三方转让、抵押、出售或以其他方式处理其全部或部分投资。若一方要转让股份,必须遵守以下规定……

句中的“转让”一词多数译者选用transfer.但我们认为用assign更正式,assign/assignment是法律英语,表示to transfer property .rights to sb in accordance with laws;而transfer/transference仅表示to hand over the possession of property ,etc.,因此,本段可译为:

Neither party of the Joint Venture may assign ,pledge ,sell or otherwise dispose of all or part of its investment subscribed to a third party without the unanimous approval of the Board of Directors and consent by the appropriate Cinese Government Approving Departments. In case that assignment is effected by one party ,the following stipulations must be observed.。。



「例9」如果许可方允许任何第三方在任何地方使用本专利或相应的专利,及有关特许产品的生产、使用和销售的许可证,而且其条件比本协议规定的条件更优惠,许可方应立即以书面形式将这些优惠许可的细节通知被许可方,被许可方有接受相同优惠条件的选择权。

If the Licensor allows any other license under the Patent or their other responding patents to any third party in connection with the manufacture ,Use and sale Of the Licensed Products in any place under such conditions as are more favorable to a licensee than those provided herein, the licensor shall promptly inform the Licensee in written form of the details 0f such other license and the licensee has the choice to adopt equally favorable conditions.

译文中的allow(允许,许可)不如用grant正式。grant在国际商务合同,尤其在许可证合同中表示许可方to allow the licensee to…,而allow仅表示to say that someone can do sth .inform一般指传达某种信息和资料,如:He informed his staff that he was going to Spain on business(他告诉自己的职员,他要去西班牙出差);notify用在合同文体中,表示正式书面通知对方与其有关的利益,因此,句中的“通知”应选择notify.前面的promptly也应更换为forthwith.句中最后的“选择”应选用option,专门用于表示当事人的一种“选择权”,尤其指offer to sb of the right to enter into a contract at a later date.例如:The Sellers have the option to deliver 5%more or less of the quantity contracted(卖方有按合同规定的数量多交或短交5%的选择权)。



2. Words with Multi-interpretation一词多义的处理

在合同英语中,一词多义或一义多词的现象较为普遍。要透彻理解这些词义,必须结合上下文,仔细推敲。合同文体具有很强的逻辑性,词与词之间,段与段之间,款与款之间总是相互依存、相互制约的。在翻译时,绝对不能孤立地、片面地和静止地去理解条款中的词义,应全面地、客观地去理解和选择词义。以reference一词为例,它的一般词义是“参考”,但它在不同的上下文中就有不同的含义。因此,不能仅用“参考”二字“对号入座”。请看下例各句:



(1)Thank you for you r letter reference DT/Zi No.102.of 29th,March.

感谢你方3月29日编号为DT/Zi,No.102的来信。



reference在此例中指“编号” (number which makes it possible to find a document which has been filed)。



(2)We have had only one order from ABC Co. , Ltd. , so we regret we cannot give you a reference from long experience.

我们仅接受ABC有限公司的一笔定货,很遗憾我们不能提供具有长期交往经历的资信情况。

reference在此例中指“资信情况” (statement about a company's abilities)。



(3)Reference is made to your Sales Confirmation No.1529.

现谈到你方的第1529号销售确认书。

reference在此例中指“谈到” (mentioning or dealing with)。



(4)The Buyers ask for credit and have given the Bank of China ,Beijing as a reference.

买方要求记账交易,并提出中国银行北京分行作为资信备询人。

reference在此例中指“咨信备询人”(person who reports on someone's character or abilities)。



(5)The Sales Company is given the same power with reference to apportioning the commission.

关于佣金的分配问题,应授予销售公司同样的权利。

with reference to在此例中意思为“关于”(about or concerning sb or sth)。



(6) A reference to your records will show that we have more than once asked you to establish L/C against S/C No.2523.

阅你方记录可以看出,我方已多次催促,要求你方对第2523号销售确认书开立信用证。

reference在此例中指“查阅”。以上只是含有reference一词的部分词义。可见,如果把reference一概译为“参考”不仅词不达义,而且还会影响条款的效力。一词多义的选择和确定通常从以下几方面着手:



1) Considering the Part of Speech根据词性确定词义

英语中有许多书写形式相同的词,却有着不同的词性,而词性不同,意义也有所差异。因此,在翻译时首先要断定这个词在原文中的词性,根据词性再进一步确定其词义。



「例10」(1) Arbitration of all questions in dispute under this contract shall be al the choice Of either party and shall be in accordance with the International Arbitration Rules Of American Arbitration Association.

对在合同中一切有争议的问题是否付诸仲裁将由任何一方作出选择,并须按照美国仲裁协会的国际仲裁规则进行仲裁。



(2) Our products are manufactured from the choice grades of material and will satisfy you in every respect.

我方的产品均用上等的原料制成,因此,在各方面都会使贵方满意。



由于以上两句中的choice的词性不同,在词义的确定上也有所不同。第一句中的choice是名词,意思为“选择”(act of choosing between two or more possibilities);第二句中的choice是形容词,意思为“优质的”(of very good quality)。

(1) The prices quoted include a progressive commission ,to be calculated on FOB basis ,o f 2%for a single order for 10 dozen or up 3%for 30 dozen or up.

所报价格包括累进佣金,按FOB价为基础计算,每定单在10打及以上时佣金为2%,30打及以上时为3%。



(2) Party B is commissioned by the manufacturers to buy steel plates and this contract shall supersede all previous commitments.

乙方受制造厂家的委托购买钢板,因此本合同将取代以前的一切承诺。



以上两句中的commission,由于词性不同,词义具有很大的区别。前一句中的commission在合同中经常以名词形式出现,意思为“佣金”;后一句中的commission是动词,其意思为“委托”或“代理”。再如:The Contractor shall be responsible for and shall carry out all maintenance work during commissioning period (在试运行期问,承包方应负责进行一切维修工作)。



(1) The time limit for inspection and claim is 60 days after discharge Of the cargo at the port Of destination.

检验与索赔的期限为货物卸至目的港后60天。



(2) Party B agrees that the expiration of this license shall not discharge party B from its obligation.

乙方同意在许可证到期时并不免除乙方应尽的义务。



(3) Routine duties of the Joint Venture Company are lo be discharged by the general manager appointed by the Board of Directors.

董事会任命的总经理,负责履行合营公司的日常职权。



以上三句中都含有discharge,在不同的合同条款中,其词义也有很大不同。第一句中的discharge是名词(也可作动词)。词义为:“卸货”(unloading cargo from a ship),经常出现在国际货物买卖合同中;第二句中的discharge是动词,意思为“免除”(releasing one party from the terms of a contract);第三句中的discharge也是动词,意思为“履行”(carrying out one's duty)。 discharge在用作名词时,还可以表示“一批发运的货物”,如:Party B shall check the quality of each dispatch in accordance with the Contract(乙方应按合同规定检查每批发出的货物的质量)。



「例13」The Contractor's Site Representative shall be present at the site throughout normal working hours except when on leave sick, or absent for reasons connected with the proper performance of the Contract.

The Contractor shall at all time keep the premises free from accumulation of waste materials or rubbish caused by the Works and at the completion of the Works shall remove all remaining materials from and about the premises and shall leave the Site and Plant safe, clean and ready for Use.



在整个正常的工作时间内,除因假期、患病或由于正当履行合同而缺勤等理由外,承包商的现场代表必须到现场上班。在任何时候,承包商应始终避免因施工而使废料或垃圾堆放在施工现场,在施工结束时,应清除所有施工现场及其周围地区存放的剩余材料,使现场和工厂保持安全、清洁,以便随时可以使用。



以上例句中的两个条款中均含有leave一词,其中第一款中的leave是名词,意思为:“假期”(time absent from duty or work);第二款中的leave是动词,意思为:“保持”(to remain in a certain condition)。