论商务合同的英汉翻译技巧(一)

论商务合同的英汉翻译技巧(一)

 摘     要    随着中国成功的加入世界贸易组织，许多成年人都开始意识到学习商务英语合同的重要性。此篇论文主要是寻求贸易合同中的中英翻译技巧。
 商务英语是一种世界公认的正式的写作形式，用来阐述有关各方面的权利和义务。一些相关人士也开始重视与研究商务英语合约。一份合约一旦签定，它在法律上是具有约束力和实施性的。如果有不能履行合约义务的任何单位必须对造成其他单位的损失作出赔偿。一份商务合约是人们进行国际商务活动必不可少的部份。
 把商务英语合约中的句子翻译成可行的汉语也不总是很容易，它们包含广泛，或者错综复杂。因为汉语和英语隶属于两个不同的语言体系并且在他们之间存在很多不同的语法、词汇和语句结构。当你翻译时，要考虑到包含的文法与词藻的修辞等等。
 这篇文章的目的就是寻找商业合约的一些英汉翻译技巧，例如被动语态的翻译技巧、子句中副词的翻译技巧等，翻译技巧的最终目的是要怎样使译文听起来尽可能的流畅，自然。

 关  键  词
English-Chinese Translation Techniques; 中英翻译技巧
Business Contracts; 贸易合同
Passive Voice; 被动态
Adverbial Clauses  副词子句
 论商务合同的英汉翻译技巧

 随着中国成功的加入世界贸易组织，商务英语便得到了更广泛的使用。一份商务英文合同是一种正式的书面同意书，从中设定行使条款及相关合作团体的义务职责。合同一旦签定，便具备法律上的约束力及实施性。若任一方违背其应履行的职责将需对另一方进行相应的赔偿。一份贸易合同是对于人们执行国际贸易活动中不可缺少的部分。在此提及一些贸易合中的中英翻译技巧是很有必要的。
 当你翻译时，语法结构及文学修辞都是要考虑到的。因汉语和英语属于两种完全不同体系的语言，其语法，词汇，语句结构等等都有很大的差异。我们在翻译时其中一个不可避免的问题就是如何把其中的语句翻译听起来尽可能的流畅，自然。
 把商务英语合约中的句子翻译成汉语是可行的但也不总是很容易，它们包含广泛，有时错综复杂。下列的翻译技巧将集中展示被动词态和副词子句。
被动语态的翻译技巧
 语态也属于语法范畴，它是动词的一种形式，它展现的是一个句子的主语的主动与被动。当主语是一次行为的代理人或行为者时，动词采取主动语态的形式，在另一方面，如果主语是行为的接受者，动词采取被动语态的形式。
 被动语态在英语中被广泛的使用，尤其是在正式的写作方面以及科学作品及新闻报导方面。在商务英语合约中，被动式更是被频繁的使用。大多数的及物动词以他们的被动形式出现。在英语中及物动词的被动语态是be+ed的形式。一个句子或子句中的述语动词是被动的称作被动句。相反，主动语态经常在汉语版本中使用。
1.1 被动语态变成主动语态
 与在英语中的应用比较，被动语态在汉语中使用的较少，在汉语中主动的结构形式通常表示被动的意思，我们可以将英语中的被动形式转化为汉语中的主动语态。
 A）当你翻译的时候，一般来说，在子句或句子中被动语态的词序通常是不做改变的或稍微改变一点，原句主语的位置在表达上未做改变。这种翻译技巧常被用于商务英语合约的翻译。下面举例说明：
 a) All the activities shall be governed by the laws of the countries concerned.
   一切活动均应遵守有关国家的法律。
b) All disputes arising out of the performance of, or relating to this Contract, shall be settled amicably through negotiation.
 凡因执行本合同所发生的或与本合同有关的一切争议，双方应通过友好协商解决。
 B) 无论词组是否用于被动句式中都是决定数量的因素。一般而言，当立案者想强调代理人　　或行为当事人时词组是必不可少的。这样的话，我们可以将词组转变为子句或句子的主语。例如：
All the payments shall be made in the U.S. Currency by the Buyer to the Seller by telegraphic transfer to the Seller＇s designated account with the Bank of China, Beijing, China.
 买方应以美元支付卖方货款，并以电汇的方式汇至卖方指定的中国银行北京分行的帐户。
C) 在翻译被动语态或句子时，有时候需要重新调整句子元素。
如果子句中的状态副词不能表明该活动的行为者，我们可以将在被动结构中的子句转换为主句。原
 始子句中的主语转换为指定主句中的受词。例如　：
If a foreign auditor registered in other country is necessary to be employed to undertake annual financial checking and examination, Party A shall give its consent. All the expenses thereof shall be borne by Party B.
 如果需要聘请其他国家的审计师对年度的财务进行审查，甲方应予以同意。其所需费用乙方负担。
如果副词和句子中的主语在被动语态中有关联，我们可以将原句中的副词转化为指定句式的主语以便翻译的更清楚与协调。例如：
a) The establishment, remuneration and the expenses of the staff of the preparation and construction office, when agreed by both parties, shall be covered in the project budget.
 经甲乙双方同意后，工程预算应包括筹建工厂人员的编制、报酬及费用。
b) The conditions for establishment of the Joint Venture Company and the total amount of investment and registered capital are stipulated in this Contract.   
 本合同规定了设立合资公司的条件以及投资总额与注册资本。
 D) 在商务英语合约中，有一种特别的被动句式类型，即为，It is+过去分词+that 受词＂ ,它基本上已经形成了一个比较固定的翻译模式.
 a) It is agreed that Party A shall have no obligation to pay for the insurance premium.
 双方同意，甲方不负担保险费
b) It is essentially stressed that the Buyers are requested to sign and return the duplicate of this Contract within 3 days from the date of receipt. In the event of failure to do this, the Sellers reserve the right to cancel the Contract.
必须强调：买方应于收到本合同之日起3天内签字并退还合同的副本，如买方不这样做，卖方保留取消合同的权利。
1.2 被动结构保持不变
 并非所有的英语中的被动语态在汉语中都是转换为主动语态，某些时候，英文中的被动语态也会在汉语的译本中保持它原有的被动结构不变。在汉语中，被动语态是通过使用以下字眼来表示，如“由、被、把、给、将＂。使用此种方法翻译举例如下：
a) The term for the technology transfer agreement is signed by Party A and the Solely Foreign-owned Enterprise, and it shall be approved by the approval authority.
 技术转让协议的期限由甲方与独资企业签订并经审批机关批准。
b)If other coverage or an additional amount is required, the Buyers must have the consent of the Sellers before shipment, and the additional premium is to be borne by the Buyers.
 如买方欲增加其他险别或超过上述保额时须于装船前征得卖方同意，所增加的保险费由买方负担。
2.  子句中副词的翻译技巧
 在商务英语合约中，副词的子句被屡次使用。副词的子句习惯于用来谈论时间、原因、状态、行为和目的。这取决于在上下文中的位置，它们在句子中的位置可以十分灵活：它们可以出现在句子的开头或句子的结尾，或者在句子的中间。它们的位置在中文句子中的位置取决于上下文而变化。
以下有两种类型的副词子句，经常出现在商务英语条约中，即时间副词引导的子句和状态副词引导的子句。
 2.1 时间副词引导的子句
     时间副词引导的子句一般由“when, while , as , before , after , until , etc , can “ 等
 词展现，用来描述当下，过去及未来的时间。
 时间副词引导的子句一般由“when, before 和 after “引导并广泛的应用于商务英语合约中。如下将举例说明怎样将商务英语合约中时间副词引导的子句翻译成中文。
A)在汉语中, “when＂ 通常是指 “当…时候＂, 等等。有某些情况下，用副词“when＂引导的子句视为条件从句，这可以翻译面汉语的条件副词子句。例如：
 a)When one party to the Joint Venture Company assigns all or part of his investment,
 the other party has preemptive right.
 如果合资公司一方拟转让其全部或部分出资额，另一方有优先购买权。
 B)连接词“before＂在汉语中通常被翻译成“在……之前＂，在商务英语合约中，有时为了着重强调需履行的义务，“before＂　在翻译成汉语时被翻译成当“….后, 才能…..＂。例如：
a)The manufacturers shall, before the goods is delivered over, make a precise and comprehensive inspection of the goods with regard to its quality, specifications, performance and quantity, weight, and issue inspection certificates certifying the technical data and conclusion of the inspection.
制造商应对货物的质量、规格、性能和数量、重量进行一丝不苟和全面的检验，出具检验证明书，证实检验的技术数据和结论后，才能发货。
 C)连接词“after ＂在汉语中通常表示“在……后＂，在商务英语合约中， “after＂有时在汉语中表示“……之日起＂之意严谨之意。例如：
a)In case the Buyer finds any document incorrect, the Buyer is obliged to cable the Seller indicating the incorrect items. The cable shall be sent within twenty days after the Bank of China, Beijing Branch has received the Seller＇s documents.
买方如发现文件有错误时，应在中国银行北京市分行收到卖方文件之日起20天内电告卖方，并指出错误项目。
 2.2 副词引导的状语从句
     在英语中以副词引导的状语从句通常与例如“as if、in case、unless、once和so long as 等词连用，在汉语中也有类似的连接词例如“如果、万一、除非、一旦、只要＂等等。此外，在英语中并不是所有的副词引导的状语从句在翻译成汉语时都作副词。如下例：
 A) 一个除非语句即可表示真实状况也可表示非真实情况，在一个真实语句里面除非有时可以用如果不来代替。在商务合同中“除非“经常用＂除……另有……者外，“ 译成汉文。并且＂除非“经常与＂否则“一起用。
  a)Unless the Contract provides otherwise, it is the Buyer＇s legal duty to collect and transport the goods from the Seller＇s premises.
 b)除合同另有规定者外，买方应在卖方的处所提货运输。
  Unless otherwise arranged, neither party shall have the right to represent the other party.
 除另有安排者外，任何一方无权代表另一方。
 B) 连接词“whereas＂有时连接两个独立的子句将其变为一个复合句，在汉语中也有类似的连接词如“而＂。有时候“whereas＂ 在商务英语合约中通常被用于介绍背景与用途的序文中，代表已考虑到实际情况，因此在翻译成汉语时由副词引导的状语从句通常被翻译为“鉴于＂。
a)Whereas Party B has the right and desires to transfer the aforesaid know-how to Party A, this Contract shall come into force from the date of execution hereof by Party A and Party
 鉴于乙方有权并愿意向甲方转让上述专有技术，本合同自甲方和乙方签署之日生效。
 C) 在商务英语合约中我们应该特别注意特别连接词如“where＂的用法，“where＂作为以副词引导的条件从句在汉语中表示“如果、若＂的意思。这种类型通常会在法律条文中见到，不过很少在其它的领域中见到。
  a)Where there exists a relationship of administrative subordination between the debtor and the third party, as to the creditor, the interests of the debtor and of the third party shall be consistent.
 如果债务人与第三者存在隶属关系，相对债权人而言，债务人与第三者的利益应该是
 
 
      A Brief Introduction to English-Chinese Translation
            Techniques of Business Contracts
With China＇s successful entry into WTO (the World Trade Organization), business English is more widely used. A business English contract is a formal written agreement, which sets forth rights and obligations of the parties concerned. Once entered into, a contract is binding and enforceable by law. Any party who fails to fulfill his obligations must make compensation for the other party＇s losses. A business contract is an indispensable part for people to carry out international business activities. It is necessary to mention a few English-Chinese translation techniques of business contracts.
When translating, both grammatical and rhetorical considerations are involved. Since Chinese and English belong to two different language families and present a lot of differences in their grammar, lexicon, discourse structure, etc., one of the problems we cannot avoid while translating is how to make the version sound as smooth and natural as possible.
Translating sentences of business English Contracts into Chinese is feasible but not always easy. They are comprehensive, and occasionally complex. The following translation techniques will focus on the passive voice and the adverbial clauses.
Translation Techniques of Passive Voice
Voice is a grammatical category. It is a form of the verb, which shows whether the subject of a sentence acts or is acted on. When the subject is the agent or doer of an action, the verb takes the form of active voice; if, on the other hand, the subject is the recipient of the action, the verb takes the form of passive voice.
Passive voice is widely used in English, especially in formal informative writing, and scientific writing and news reporting. In business English contracts, passive voice is frequently used, too. Most transitive verbs can appear in their passive forms. The passive voice of English transitive verbs is formed by the auxiliary be + -ed participle. A sentence / clause whose predicator (predicate verb) is passive is called a passive sentence / clause. On the contrary, active voice is often used in the Chinese version.
1.1  The Passive Voice Converted into the Active Voice
Since passive voice is used much less frequently in Chinese than in English, and passive meanings are usually expressed by active constructions in Chinese, we can convert the passive voice in English into the active voice in Chinese.
 A) When being translated, on the whole, the word order of a passive clause or a sentence is not altered or is changed a little, and the position of the subject of the original sentence is not changed in the target language. This kind of translation technique is often employed in the translation of business English contracts. A few examples are listed below:
 a) All the activities shall be governed by the laws of the countries concerned.
 一切活动均应遵守有关国家的法律。
b) All disputes arising out of the performance of, or relating to this Contract, shall be settled amicably through negotiation.
 凡因执行本合同所发生的或与本合同有关的一切争议，双方应通过友好协商解决。
 B) Whether or not a by-phrase is used in a passive sentence is determined by a number of factors. Generally speaking, a by-phrase is indispensable when a draftsman wants to stress the agent or the doer of the action. In this case, we may convert the doer of the action of a by-phrase into the subject of a clause or sentence in the target language.For instance:
    All the payments shall be made in the U.S. Currency by the Buyer to the Seller by telegraphic transfer to the Seller＇s designated account with the Bank of China, Beijing, China.
 买方应以美元支付卖方货款，并以电汇的方式汇至卖方指定的中国银行北京分行的帐户。
 C) When translating a passive clause or sentence, at whiles one need readjust the sentence elements.
If an adverbial clause of condition does not indicate the doer of the action, we may convert this clause in the passive structure into a subjectless clause. The subject of the original clause is converted into the object of the target sentence. For instance:
    If a foreign auditor registered in other country is necessary to be employed to undertake annual financial checking and examination, Party A shall give its consent. All the expenses thereof shall be borne by Party B.
 如果需要聘请其他国家的审计师对年度的财务进行审查，甲方应予以同意。其所需费用乙方负担。
If the adverbial and the subject of a sentence in the passive voice have inclusive relationship, we may convert the adverbial of the original sentence into the subject of the target sentence so as to make the translation clear and coherent. For example:
a)The establishment, remuneration and the expenses of the staff of the preparation and construction office, when agreed by both parties, shall be covered in the project budget.
 经甲乙双方同意后，工程预算应包括筹建工厂人员的编制、报酬及费用。
b)The conditions for establishment of the Joint Venture Company and the total amount of investment and registered capital are stipulated in this Contract.   
 本合同规定了设立合资公司的条件以及投资总额与注册资本。
 D) In business English Contracts, there is a special passive pattern, that is, “It is + past participle + that clause＂ which has basically formed a comparatively fixed translation version.
 a)It is agreed that Party A shall have no obligation to pay for the insurance premium.
 双方同意，甲方不负担保险费。
b)It is essentially stressed that the Buyers are requested to sign and return the duplicate of this Contract within 3 days from the date of receipt. In the event of failure to do this, the Sellers reserve the right to cancel the Contract.
必须强调：买方应于收到本合同之日起3天内签字并退还合同的副本，如买方不这样做，卖方保留取消合同的权利。
1.2  The Passive Structure Remaining Unchanged
Not all passive voice in English is converted into active voice in Chinese. Sometimes, an English passive voice may keep its passive structure in the Chinese version. In Chinese, passive voice is mainly conveyed through the use of words like 由, 被, 把, 给, 将. The following examples are translated in this way.
 a)The term for the technology transfer agreement is signed by Party A and the Solely
 Foreign-owned Enterprise, and it shall be approved by the approval authority.
 技术转让协议的期限由甲方与独资企业签订并经审批机关批准。
b)If other coverage or an additional amount is required, the Buyers must have the consent of the Sellers before shipment, and the additional premium is to be borne by the Buyers.
 如买方欲增加其他险别或超过上述保额时须于装船前征得卖方同意，所增加的保险费由买方负担。
Translation Techniques of Adverbial Clauses
In business English contracts, adverbial clauses are frequently applied. Adverbial clauses can be used to talk about time, cause, condition, concession and purpose. Depending on the context, their positions in a sentence can be quite flexible: they can appear either at the beginning of a sentence, or at the end of a sentence, or even in the middle of a sentence. Their positions in a Chinese sentence also vary according to the contexts. The point for attention is how to make the translation conform to Chinese usage when English adverbial clauses are translated into
There are two kinds of adverbial clauses, which often appear in business English contracts, i.e. adverbial clauses of time and adverbial clauses of condition. 
2.1  Adverbial clauses of time
Adverbial clauses of time are introduced by when, while, as, before, after, until, etc can be described in terms of “same time＂, “earlier time＂, and “later time.＂
The adverbial clauses of time introduced by when, before and after are widely used in business English contracts. The following will concentrate on how to translate them into Chinese.
 A)In Chinese, “ when＂ is usually introduced by 当……时候, etc. Sometimes, an adverbial clause introduced by “when＂ can be regarded as the clause of conditional meaning, which can be translated into Chinese adverbial clauses of condition. In Chinese, we have similar conjunctions like如果, 倘若, etc.For example:
 a)When one party to the Joint Venture Company assigns all or part of his investment, the
 other party has preemptive right.
 如果合资公司一方拟转让其全部或部分出资额，另一方有优先购买权。
 B)The conjunction “before＂ is usually translated into “在……之前＂ in Chinese. In business English contracts, sometimes, in order to emphasize the obligation to be fulfilled,
 “before＂ may be rendered into Chinese by using “……后, 才能…….＂ For example:
a)The manufacturers shall, before the goods is delivered over, make a precise and comprehensive inspection of the goods with regard to its quality, specifications, performance and quantity, weight, and issue inspection certificates certifying the technical data and conclusion of the inspection.
制造商应对货物的质量、规格、性能和数量、重量进行一丝不苟和全面的检验，出具检验证明书，证实检验的技术数据和结论后，才能发货。
 C)The conjunction, “after＂ is often expressed by “在……后＂ in Chinese. In business English contracts, “after＂ is sometimes converted into “……之日起＂ in Chinese for the purpose of preciseness.For exampl：
a)In case the Buyer finds any document incorrect, the Buyer is obliged to cable the Seller indicating the incorrect items. The cable shall be sent within twenty days after the Bank of China, Beijing Branch has received the Seller＇s documents.
买方如发现文件有错误时，应在中国银行北京市分行收到卖方文件之日起20天内电告卖方，并指出错误项目。
2.2  adverbial clauses of condition
In English adverbial clauses of condition are generally introduced by conjunctions such as if, in case, unless, once, and so long as. In Chinese we have similar conjunctions like 如果, 万一, 除非, 一旦, 只要, etc. Moreover, not all adverbial clauses of condition in English need to be presented as adverbial clauses in Chinese. See the following examples:
An unless-clause can denote a real condition as well as an unreal condition. In a clause of real condition, unless can sometimes be replaced by if¼not. In business English contracts, “unless＂ is usually rendered into Chinese by using “除……另有……者外,＂ and “unless＂is often used together with “otherwise.＂
a)Unless the Contract provides otherwise, it is the Buyer＇s legal duty to collect and transport the goods from the Seller＇s premises.
 除合同另有规定者外，买方应在卖方的处所提货运输。
     b)Unless otherwise arranged, neither party shall have the right to represent the other party.
 除另有安排者外，任何一方无权代表另一方。
 B)The conjunction, “whereas＂ at whiles connects two independent clauses to form a compound sentence, and we have similar conjunctions like “而＂ in Chinese. In business English contracts, sometimes “whereas＂ is used at the preamble to introduce the background and purpose, denotes taking into consideration the fact, introduces adverbial clauses of condition, and consequently is translated into Chinese by using “鉴于.＂
   a)Whereas Party B has the right and desires to transfer the aforesaid know-how to Party A, this Contract shall come into force from the date of execution hereof by Party A and Party
 鉴于乙方有权并愿意向甲方转让上述专有技术，本合同自甲方和乙方签署之日生效。
 C)We should pay special attention to the particular usage of the conjunction “where＂ in business English contracts; “where＂ introduces the adverbial clauses of condition and means “如果＂, “若＂ in Chinese. This kind of usage is usually found in the legal style, but is seldom adopted in other styles.
   a)Where there exists a relationship of administrative subordination between the debtor and the third party, as to the creditor, the interests of the debtor and of the third party shall be consistent.
 如果债务人与第三者存在隶属关系，相对债权人而言，债务人与第三者的利益应该是一致的。

参考文献
 [1]   August, Ray  International Business Law: Text, Cases and Readings (third
     edition)  Beijing: Higher Education Press, 2002.
 [2]   Barnes, A. James  Law for Business  Boston: Irwin/McGraw-Hill, 2000.
［4］胡庚申,王春晖,申云桢.《国际商务合同起草与翻译》.北京：外文出版社，2001.
 [5] 译典通

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