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英语商务合同常识

时间:2022-07-31 09:46:15 合同范本 我要投稿
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英语商务合同常识

英语商务合同常识

英语商务合同常识

 1 格式固定

  格式问题,一般原则是客从主人。应用文体的许多格式,都是沿用已久的,具有相对固定的含义,同业见之,照此办理,节省时间,没有必要标新立异。如英文外贸信函中的结尾套语,在大多数场合,使用 “yours faithfully”或 “yours sincerely”就足够了。合同的开头往往都十分相似的,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).

  本合同于19__年__月__日由__公司,地址:__(以下简称甲方)与__公司,地址:__(以下简称乙方)签订。

  2 语体庄重

  应用文体,虽有平易化的趋势,但除少数体式外(如广告),总的说来,措辞简明、庄重,属于正式书面语体,翻译时应避免使用口语词语。酌情使用文言虚词及其它书面词语,往往可以起到言简意赅的效果,也可以改善长句的分、接问题。

  现代汉语应用文体习用语 现代汉语普通话用语

  即(连词;副词) 也就是;立刻、马上

  兹、现、今(副词) 现在

  均、皆、概(副词) 都、全

  本(代词) 我们、这个

  如(连词) 如果

  之(助词) 的(用于名词性偏正结构中)

  未(副词) 没有

  至(介词) 到

  系(动词) 是

  业已(副词) 已经

  此处(代词、形容词) 这里

  一味(副词) (无对应词)

  与否(助词) (位于肯定的动词或形容词后,“X与否”,相当于“X不X”)

  以上只是部分词语,旨在引起学习者注意,请看下面一些译例:

  1) We should appreciate a prompt reply.

  如蒙即复,不胜感激。

  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.

  如定购2 000吨以上,我方准备特价报盘,每套9.10美元,即给5%的折扣

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

  兹证明,英文译本与中文正本内容相符。

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

  现函复贵方3月25日询价,并报盘如下:

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

  本合同自买方和建造方签约之日生效。

  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.

  根据双方协议条款,我们已开具了这批船货的即期汇票,通过此处中国银行转去,请见票即付。

  在英文的法律文件和商贸信函中,也有一套惯用的词语。这些词语,虽“言之无物”,但酌情使用,能给人一种正式文书的持重感。

  现代英语应用文体习用语 现代英语普通话用语

  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.

  下述签署人兹保证,供货将在日本国内制造。

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

  附寄目前可供化工产品货单一纸,请查收。

  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.

  买卖双方同意按下列条款购买、出售下述商品,并签订本合同。

  10)中国__公司与__国__公司遵照《中华人民共和国中外合资经营法》及有关法律的规定,本着平等互利的原则, 同意共同投资兴办合资经营企业, 兹签订本合同. 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.

  应用文体, 汉语和英语, 其习语都各成系统。从上面的译例看,似乎汉语中的“兹”相当于英语中的 “hereby”。事实上,在英汉互译中,这两个词并非能处处对号入座,其它的词更是如此。这些习语的使用,与其说是 “句意”的要求,不如说是“文体”的要求。因此,根据各自语言表达的需要,有时可适当增译,如例3)增译了 “兹”,例4)增译了“现”;有时又宜省译,如例9)省译了 “whereby”。

  3 措辞婉约

  俗话说:“和气生财。”(www.fwsir.com)这是生意人的金科玉律。因此,英语外贸信函等应用文体,措辞十分讲究分寸、得体,避免刺激对方,即使是向对方抱怨,甚至索赔,也是彬彬有礼,十分婉转。请看下面的例子,注意划线部分:

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

  兹通知,有关信用证业已开出。

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

  很抱歉,我们无法接受你方还盘。

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

  如果不给3%的折扣,我们恐怕很难成交。

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

  .盼早日收到你方回复。

  5) Your immediate attention would be appreciated.

  请即办理为荷。

  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.

  你方必须按合同规定的期限将货装上 “东风轮”,否则,空舱费将由你方负责。

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

  货物今日业已启运,特此奉告。

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

  我们有意与你们洽谈工艺品业务。

  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.

  从10月21日来函欣悉,贵公司决定按我公司10月11日报价单大量定购我公司多种产品。

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

  顺便奉告,我方产品在市场上独占鳌头。

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

  我方产品给你们带来麻烦,谅必事出有因。

  类似例子,举不胜举,希望引起注意。上面的译文,虽非“标准”答案,但仔细对照,我们可以悟出一些翻译原理。比如例1),如果逐词译出: “我们愿告诉你有关信用证已开出”,就会不伦不类,,让人啼笑皆非。因此,在英汉互译时,遇上类似的语句,必须注意增减变通,以期与译语语体相吻合。

  此外,汉语的应用文体,还有一套敬语,在英汉互译时要注意灵活转换。

  4 行文严谨

  应用文体属记实性文体,行文准确、严谨是其一大特色。试看下面一段文章:

  付款条件:

  Terms of payment:

  (1) 离岸价条款:

  a. 按合同规定卖方应在装运之前30天用电报或函件通知买方合同号码、品名、数量、价值、箱号、毛重、尺寸及可在发运港口交货,以便买方订舱。

  (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. 卖方对运货船抵达后由于未能按期将货物运交装运港口而造成的误船或滞留装运应承担责任。

  b. The Seller shall be liable for any dead freight or demurrage(逾期费), 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. 在货物装运之前,卖方应承担货物的全部费用与风险,而在货物装运之后,货物的全部费用则由买方承担。

  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“售购合同”付款条件的一部分,给人的感觉是:行文刻板、拘谨、单调,但条理清楚、措辞准确、滴水不漏。 应用文体,大至国家法规,国际经济组织章程和文件,小至某项业务的合同,各类涉外公证书、信用证、提单等,都是具有法律效力的文件与单证。拟稿或翻译时稍有差错,往往导致贸易纠纷,造成经济损失,甚至带来不良的政治影响。要避免错误,译者宜注意以下几个方面:

  (一)统一译名,避免歧义

  应用文体中,一些术语或关键词,都有严格的意义。在同一篇材料里,为了避免造成概念混乱,使读者疑为另有所指,原则上要求译名保持前后一致。如果一开始将 “technical know-how”译成“专有技术”,就不要中途改译“技术秘密”或“专门技术”;如果一开始将 “information”译为“情报”,就不要中途改译“信息”。在重要的合同里,关键词都会有明确的书面定义。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.

  第一条:甲方应尽快在协议生效后,或最迟在本协议生效后六十天内,按上开乙方地址交给乙方有关特许产品的全部技术与销售情报。

  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.

  定义:

  第一条:本协议所用“技术与销售情报”的含义,是指甲方在本协议期间发展或获得的,同生产和/ 或销售“特许产品”有关的组装或部分图纸、配件表、原料规格、生产方法、生产程序以及推销宣传材料,诸如:目录、使用说明书、小册子、照片、图样书册和销售资料等。

  (二) 不厌其详,但求严谨

  总的说来,应用文体措辞简洁,但另一方面,为了避免歧义或差错,拟稿和翻译时,又要不厌其详。有些文字,看似多余,但求严谨,又是必不可少的。如果将“装货 须在4月1日至5月1日完成” 英译成“Shipment is to be effected during the period beginning on April 1and ending on May 1”,我们就不清楚这个装货期限是否包括4月1日和5月1日这两天。根据汉语原意,为明确起见,译文就应增补“both dates inclusive”。

  在“售购合同”里,常会有程式化的句子,如:

  买卖双方同意,按下列条款由买方购进,由卖方出售下述商品,并签订本合同。

  译为:

  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”的订立,英语同时使用了 “by” 和“between”两个介词,这也是英语合同语言严谨的一个表现,表示该“合同”是由双方订立,并在双方之间执行,不涉及任何第三方。再者,如果泛指 “条款”,译文不能漏掉“conditions”, 因为某个合同条款的达成经常包括若干条件。以合同中的“支付条款(terms of payment)”为例,在合同签订前,买卖双方首先要商讨采用什么方式支付,如:是采用信用证支付,还是采用银行托收。如果双方商定采用信用证支付方 式,也就是把 “terms”定下来了。此后双方须进一步商讨与此有关的 “conditions”,比如买方何时开立信用证,如果买方不按时开证怎么办等,这些有关支付的 “terms” 和“conditions” 合在一起,才构成合同中的“支付条款”。

  在外贸英语里,我们常会看到and / or这样的结构,这种结构的运用,也是行文严谨的一个表现,翻译时应特别注意不要漏译。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.

  预付运费和到付运费,或其中之一,无论船舶及所载货物,或其中之一遭受任何损坏或灭失,都应毫不例外地全额付给承运人。

  (三)推敲词义,准确措辞

  涉外文书,往往涉及某项业务双方的权利和义务,弄不好则发生纠纷,因此,其译文质量如何,与措辞是否准确有极大的关系。措辞要求最为严格的算是涉外合同的翻译了。为了维护法律的尊严,一词一语都应力求无懈可击。下面以《中外合资经营企业法》的英译文为例,加以说明:

  1. 此法中多处提到“外国合营者”和“中国合营者”,起初分别译为 “foreign partners” 和“Chinese partners”(即“外国合股人”和“中国合股人”),然而 “partner”一词却大有空子可钻。因为根据国际惯例,所有“partners”是要共同承担经济责任和风险的。比如,你在中国做生意,但若你的 “partners”未经你的同意在美国借了钱,你也必须完全负责任。因此,此法定稿时,将“合营者”的译法全部有“partners”改成了 “participants”。

  2. 此法第八条规定:“合营者的注册资本如果转让须经合营各方同意。”这句最初译为:

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

  后来改译为:

  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.

  第二种译法,除未使用“partner” 外,还将“the registered capital belonging to any partner(属于任何一个经营者的注册资本)”改为“one party’s share in the registered capital(一个合营者在注册资本中所占的份额)”,想来是很有道理的。因为注册资本是整个企业的注册资本,不存在你的或我的注册资本。

  3. 此法第十条说:“鼓励外国合营者将可汇出的外币存入中国银行。”此句曾译为:

  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.

  后来改译为:

  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.

  第二种译法将 “be encouraged” 改为 “receive encouragements” 两者的意思是大不一样的。前者只是道义上的概念,并无法律和经济上的意义。两种译文都增加了“any part”, 这样处理是不得已的,因为如果不译成“any part of the foreign exchange”而译成“the foreign exchange”, 那就意味着外国合营者只是在将他可以汇出的全部外汇存入中国银行时才能受到优待,存一部分时就不受到优待,反而与中文意思不符。此外,两种译文都将“可汇出的外汇”译成“which he is entitled to remit abroad”, 而没有译成 “which he may remit abroad”, 是因为“可汇出,还是不可汇出”,此处是个法律概念,所以,用 “be entitled(有权)”一语来表达更为恰当。

  除涉外合同外,正式的外贸函电也具有法律效力,因此,翻译时也务必讲究分寸,措辞准确,这里就不再赘述了。

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