英文合同翻譯的用詞特點
合(he)同(tong)(tong)是(shi)當事(shi)人或當事(shi)雙方之(zhi)間設立、變更、終止民事(shi)關系的(de)(de)協(xie)議。依法成立的(de)(de)合(he)同(tong)(tong),受法律保護。廣義合(he)同(tong)(tong)指所(suo)有法律部(bu)門中確定(ding)權利、義務(wu)關系的(de)(de)協(xie)議。狹義合(he)同(tong)(tong)指指一切民事(shi)合(he)同(tong)(tong)。還有最狹義合(he)同(tong)(tong)僅指民事(shi)合(he)同(tong)(tong)中的(de)(de)債權合(he)同(tong)(tong)。
合同翻譯的用詞極(ji)其(qi)考究(jiu),具(ju)有特定性(xing)。要求選詞專業化(professional)、正式(formal)、準確(accurate)。具(ju)體(ti)體(ti)現在(zai)下(xia)列方面:
1. may,shall,must,may not(或shall not)的使用;may,shall, must,may not (或shall not)對學過英語的人來說再熟悉不過了,但在合(he)同中用這些詞時要極其謹慎。
權利義務的約(yue)定部(bu)分(fen)構成了合同的主體(ti)。這幾個詞如(ru)選(xuan)用(yong)不(bu)當,可能會引起糾紛。
may旨在約(yue)定當事(shi)(shi)人的(de)(de)權利(可以做(zuo)(zuo)什么(me)(me)),shall約(yue)定當事(shi)(shi)人的(de)(de)義務(wu)(應(ying)當做(zuo)(zuo)什么(me)(me)時候),must用(yong)(yong)于強制(zhi)性(xing)義務(wu)(必須(xu)做(zuo)(zuo)什么(me)(me)),may not (或(huo)shall not)用(yong)(yong)于禁止性(xing)義務(wu)(不(bu)得(de)做(zuo)(zuo)什么(me)(me))。may do不(bu)能(neng)說(shuo)成can do,shall do,不(bu)能(neng)說(shuo)成should do或(huo)ought to do, may not do,在美國一(yi)些法律文(wen)件里可以用(yong)(yong)shall not,但絕不(bu)能(neng)用(yong)(yong)can not do或(huo)must not),例如,在約(yue)定解決爭議的(de)(de)途(tu)徑時,可以說(shuo):
The parties here to shall, first of all, settle any dispute arising from or in connection with the contract by friendly negotiations.
2.正式用(yong)語(formal term)
合同英語有著嚴肅的風格,與(yu)其(qi)它英語作品(pin)有著很大不(bu)同之處。
例如:
“因為”的短語多(duo)用“by virtue of ”,遠遠多(duo)于“due to”,一(yi)般不用“because of ”;
“財務年度末”一般用“at the close of the fiscal year”,而不(bu)用“in the end of the fiscal year”;
“在……之前(qian)”一般用“prior to”,而不用“before”;
“關于”常用“as regards”,“concerning”或“relating to”,而不會(hui)用“about”;
3.用詞(ci)專業(technical terms)
合(he)同(tong)用(yong)詞不以大眾是否理解(jie)和(he)接受為轉移,它是合(he)同(tong)語(yu)言準(zhun)確表(biao)達的(de)保障。如(ru)合(he)同(tong)出現(xian)的(de)“瑕(xia)疵”、“救濟”、“不可(ke)抗力”、“管轄”、“損(sun)毀”、“滅失”等就可(ke)能讓非行業人士費解(jie),用(yong)以上(shang)英語(yu)表(biao)達分別為defect,remedy,force majeure /Act of God,jurisdiction,damage and/or loss。另外(wai)幾(ji)乎每個合(he)同(tong)都少不了hereinafter referred to as ,such… as ,whereas, in witness whereof, for and on behalf of , hereby, thereof 等虛詞。
4.同義(yi)(yi)詞、近義(yi)(yi)詞、相關詞的序列
FOR value RECEIVED,the undersigned does hereby sell, transfer, assign and set over to _____all his right, tile and interest in and to a certain contract dated_____, 19 _____by and between the undersigned and _____,a copy of which is annexed hereto.
在這里的(de)同(tong)(tong)(tong)義詞和近義詞并列(如(ru)sell, transfer, assign and set over,right和 tile and interest),在英(ying)文合同(tong)(tong)(tong)里十分普遍。這是出于(yu)(yu)嚴謹(jin)和杜絕漏洞的(de)考慮,有的(de)也屬于(yu)(yu)合同(tong)(tong)(tong)用語的(de)固定模(mo)式。
億維翻譯合(he)同翻譯熱(re)線:010-64363677