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商务合同中的古体复合副词及其翻译

时间:2022-03-31 理论教育 版权反馈
【摘要】:商务合同中的古体复合副词及其翻译李 乐作者简介:李乐,北京师范大学博士研究生,研究方向:翻译学摘 要:古体词,又名旧体词,在现代英文中不再广泛使用,但在具有法律效力的文本如商务合同及法律条款中却较常出现。本文将讨论商务合同及法律条款中使用最多的古体副词,即由here,there,where加上单个或复合介词所构成的复合副词。

商务合同中的古体复合副词及其翻译

李 乐

作者简介:李乐,北京师范大学博士研究生,研究方向:翻译学

(北京师范大学外文学院,北京100875)

摘 要:古体词,又名旧体词(archaic word),在现代英文中不再广泛使用,但在具有法律效力的文本如商务合同及法律条款中却较常出现。本文将讨论商务合同及法律条款中使用最多的古体副词,即由here,there,where加上单个或复合介词所构成的复合副词。它们使行文庄重、简练、精确,具有极好的衔接及指称效用。本文将以逻辑分析为基础,明晰复合古体词在合同中所表示的逻辑关系,并以基于逻辑关系及语用效果的具体译例探讨此类词的语言转换,最后以图表形式对该类词的用法及翻译做一小结,旨在为商务英语工作者翻译合同提供更为精准的参考,提高其翻译效能。

关键词:逻辑关系;古体复合副词;翻译

A Study on the Archaic Words in Business Contract and Its Translation

LI Le

(School of Foreigh Languages and Literature, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

Abstract: Archaic words, though no longer prevalent in modern English, still have their important roles in legal documents, such as business contracts and law documents. One familiar kind is made up of those compound words that combine here, there or where with one single preposition or double prepositions, like hereby, thereof, whereas and etc. They can make the contracts solemn, concise as well as explicit. In this article, the author probes into the logical connotation of those words and analyzes their pragmatic function, aiming at providing a clearer reference for the potential translator of business contracts to improve their translation efficiency.

Key words: logic relation;archaic words;translation

1. 引言

合同或协定,是具有法律效力的正式文件,其行文常采用严格的法律语汇以达到措辞准确的目的。典型法律语汇的来源,主要有以下三方面:(1)拉丁语源(Latinism);(2)法语及诺曼语源(French and Roman);(3)旧体词(archaic words)。“古体词是一种具有鲜明文体色彩的词汇成分。其在合同中的使用体现出庄重严肃的文风”(廖瑛、莫再树,2007:104),主要由here,there或者where加单个或复合介词构成。

构成方式见下表:

img28

注:/ 表示无此合成词,空格表示有此种构成方式但并不在合同英文中出现,故略去。

从词性来说,这类合成词都为副词,但无比较级和最高级。从句法功用来讲,这类副词主要用于修饰动词与名词。修饰动词置于动词前,修饰名词置于名词后。 而论其具体含义,在市面可见的绝大多数国际商务英语翻译教程及中国知网的期刊论文中,一般都对此类古体词做如下两类描述:(1)将 here解为this,there解为that,where解为what或者which之义,故推得hereof 指 of this,thereby指by that,whereof指of what或which;(2)或将所有的古体复合副词按其意思分为表时间、表空间、表“方式/所属/伴随”、表“原因”等关系。这两种方式,固然可以使我们以较为直观的方式获得此类复合副词的基本含义,但考察大量的合同文本便会发现,只有部分复合副词可以采用第一类描述中的“固定公式”得到其准确含义,更多古体复合副词的含义并非其构成成分的简单叠加。再者说,很多复合副词并非单一表示时间或地点,而是在具体语篇中,承载着时空交错的互文指称作用。在下文中笔者将以介词为横轴,here,there,where为纵轴,分项细述上表列出的复合副词的逻辑含义及其在具体语境中的应用。

2. 以by结尾的复合副词

2.1 hereby

Hereby 在词典中常被解做by this,by means of,但此解可视为基本义。要明晰其在合同英文中的用法,我们可参.Collins.COBUILD Learners English Dictionary (2003)对hereby一词的用法描述:(1) You use hereby to indicate that what you are saying has official status and will take effect immediately.Eg. I.hereby sentence you for life after all the charges.against you have been true.(2) You use hereby to draw attention to what you are saying or suggesting, and to emphasize your sincerity.Eg..I hereby predict this fetish will be the death of.economics.在合同中,常采用此处叙述的第一义,即使用hereby以表明当下正述之事为实,且随即产生效力,故常可与“兹”、“特此”二词互译。

a. 兹

“兹”是古汉语的常用词,表示此、这个。在现代汉语中,“兹”常用于法律、合同、协议书等正式文件的起始部分,使行文庄重且简洁。

(1)We hereby certify that the above telex is true and correct.

兹证明上述电传内容真实无误。

(2)Hereby our order enclosed, if the quality is reliable, we will send you order latterly. Would appreciate if you could handle the order earlier.

兹附上我方试订单一份。如果质量合乎要求,我方近期内将寄订单。望能及时处理此订单,不胜感激。

b. 特此、于此

一般情况下,在使用hereby的正式商务公文中,主语都为第一人称,hereby 紧随其后,作“特此”一义使用时,后行动词常可见 declare(声明)、warrant(保证)、confirm(确保)、certify(核证)、acknowledge(承认)、guarantee(保证)等,此时hereby可视语境译作“特此”、“于此”,表示强调。

(3)We hereby appoint your company to be our exclusive business agent in China.

我们特此委托贵公司作为我公司在中国的独家业务代理。

(4)I/We hereby represent that the information provided by me is true and correct.

我(们)特此声明,以上所提供的资料真实无误。

(5)We hereby acknowledge ourselves to be trustees of said property for said bank.

我们于此承认我们是上述银行上述财产的受托人。

2.2 thereby

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

(2003)中对thereby的释义为:with the result that something else happen,表示thereby前述内容与后述内容有逻辑上的因果关系(the law of cause and effect),故中文常译作“因此”、“从而”,即前述为因,后述为果。且此词常见于thereby doing something的结构,如.He became a citizen, thereby gaining the right.to vote.在商务合同中,thereby的逻辑意义同上,多译作“从而”。

(6)A misdescription of the bill shall not vitiate the notice unless the party to whom the notice is given is in fact misled thereby.

此例中,根据thereby前后引导的事实间的逻辑联系,我们可辨认thereby之因乃a misdescription of the bill, thereby引出的结果为 the party is in fact misled,故译文可作:凡误述汇票,并不使通知失效,但如接受通知人事实上因而有误解者,则作别论。

相应地,在将合同或信证文件译成英文时,我们要善于发现且分析语句背后的事实逻辑联系,在译文中恰当使用thereby,使因果逻辑联系更为明显。

(7)甲方制定的劳动规章制度违反法律、法规规定,给乙方造成损害的。

分析此句,甲方所制定的规章制度违反法律法规为乙方受损害之因,故翻译时应在两个分句中间加上thereby以凸显因果联系,可译作:The labor regulations or rules formulated by Party A go counter to laws or statutes, and thereby cause damage to Party B.

2.3 whereby

Collins Learners Dictionary中,我们可见如下对whereby使用语境的详述:A system or action whereby something happens is one that makes that thing happen. Longman online dictionary中解析为by means of which or according to which,中文可译做“借此”、“据此”。

从两处解析我们可以看出:逻辑上来讲,whereby之前述为前提,whereby之后述,为前提之可能推论。或曰:whereby之前述为后述发生之必要条件之前述为后述发生之必要条件。中译多做“凭借”、“依照”。如.He devised a plan whereby they might.escape. 此例中,plan使they might escape的动作发生。想出计划,实为出逃的必要条件。

(8)A warehousing contract is a contract whereby the warehouser stores the goods delivered by the depositor, and the depositor pays the warehousing fee.

根据whereby一词的逻辑作用,可知contract为whereby后述发生的必要条件,故此句可译作:买卖合同是出卖人转移标的物的所有权于买受人,买受人支付价款的合同。

上述两例中,如果我们用by means of which或according to which代替whereby,尽管语义上相差无几,但合同英文在语言形式上的特征便不复可见。且这样的替换很难体现依语言而建构的法律严谨性。再者,whereby比by that或 by means of which用词简洁,它能使句子精炼紧凑,这也是古体词的一个特点。

3. 以of结尾的复合副词

3.1 hereof

.Longman Dictionary of Contemporary.English (2003)中,对hereof的解析为:relating to or belonging to this document。笔者基于此义,对合同英文中hereof 的用法做如下总结:hereof表示以合同为主体的从属关系,即hereof之前的名词所指属于合同的一部分,或被附加于合同之上。

(9)If any term hereof conflicts with the Bylaws, this Member Agreement shall control.

如章程细则与本协议有任何冲突,则以本协议为准。

(10)The Services to be performed are described in Attachment A appended hereto and made a part hereof.

实施的服务在附表A中进行了描述,附录A附于此并成为此文的一部分。

以上两例中,hereof之前所述词,都与“本文”为“所属关系”,即hereof前述词从属于“本文”(something that belongs to this text),故可译为“此文”、“本文”。

(11)All such agreements and arrangements shall be deemed to have been terminated by mutual consent with effect from the date hereof.

此类协议和安排,如双方相互同意终止,则即日起生效。

此处的the date hereof 指合同生效日。

3.2 thereof

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

中对thereof的解析为:thereof is used after a noun to relate that noun to a situation or thing that you have just mentioned。笔者认为:相较hereof所表示的与合同主体的从属关系,thereof则表示近距离的文本范围内所列举之物,做收束性强调。具体可见如下两种情况:

a. thereof 先行词若为多个名词,thereof便表示列举的结尾,可不必译出。

(12)Passengers carrying foreign currencies, gold, silver and ornaments thereof exceed the declared quota or without exporting license or certificates.

携带外币、金银及其制品未取得有关出境许可证明或超出本次进境申报数额者。

(13)If you have received this email in error, please immediately notify me by “Reply”command and permanently delete the original and any copies or printouts thereof.

如阁下属误收本电邮,敬请点击“回复”按钮以告知发件人,同时永久性删除本电邮及其所有副本和打印文本。

b. thereof 先行词若为单个名词,thereof可译作“上述”。

(14)The party has actual and timely notice of the terms thereof.

该当事人确已及时收到了有关上述内容的通知。

(15)No single or partial exercise of any such rights shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other rights.

单一地或部分地行使上述权利,应不排除以任何其他方式行使或进一步行使上述权利或其他权利。(此句中thereof实为对句末any other rights的进一步说明)

3.3 whereof

本义为of which, about which,但在长期的使用中,已形成专门的合同搭配语in witness of+陈述句。表示陈述句所述事件发生,已示信守。

(16)In witness whereof the parties have extended this memorandum of understanding the day and year first above written.

为示信守,双方当事人在上述首次注明的日期达成本备忘录。

(17)In witness whereof, the PARTIES signed the present Agreement.

协议各方在此签字盖章,以资证明。

(18)In witness whereof the Plenipotentiaries, duly authorized, have signed this Convention.

经正式授权的各全权代表特签署本公约,以昭信守。

(19)in witness whereof, the Parties hereby execute this Agreement as of the date indicated by their respective signatures below.

当事人特此于下文各自代表签名所示日期签署本协议。

4. 以to结尾的古体副词

4.1 hereto

hereto词典多解释为to this。这里的to代表从属关系,意指hereto 前的名词,被附加于此文本中,或此文本后。其用法与 hereof较为接近,都可表以合同文本为主体的从属关系。

(20)The Specifications of the Goods are provided in Appendix I hereto.

货物规格详见本合同附件一。

但hereto的先行词为 parties 或者party,hereto则起到强调作用,可译为“双方,任何一方”等。

(21)Parties hereto may revise or supplement through negotiation matters not mentioned herein.

甲、乙双方,经友好协商一致,订立本合同。

4.2 thereto

thereto.Longman Dictionary of Contemporary.English的解析为:relating to an agreement,piece of writing,or thing that has just been mentioned。既有hereof所表示的以合同文本为主体的从属关系,又兼备了列举末的收束强调的功能。

(22)“Contract Products” means the products specified in Appendix 2 to this Contract, together with all improvements and modifications thereof or developments with respect thereto.

“合同产品”,系指本合同附件2中规定的产品及其改进发展的产品。

(23)The carrier or party in possession of the property herein described shall be liable as at common law for any loss hereof or damage thereto, except as hereinafter provided.

持有本提单所列货物的承运人或当事人应承担普通法所规定的货物损失或损坏责任,以下规定的除外。

4.3 whereto

whereto一词,词性虽为副词,但在句中实际扮演着连词的句法功能,语义等同于to which。

(24)The undersigned hereby agrees that the new products whereto this trade name is more appropriate are made in Taiwan.

根据whereto所表示的连词关系,我们可以将此长句做如下分句解:the new products are made in Taiwan;this trade name is more appropriate to the new products made in Taiwan,故此例可翻译为:下述签署人同意在台湾制造新产品,其品牌以此为宜。

5. 以in构成的复合副词

5.1 herein

herein在词典中通常解释为in this document,翻译成中文,大多表示为“此文中的”、“此合同中的”。单看汉语释义,极易将其与hereof及hereto等同,认为三者都可译作“此文”或“合同中”,但我们仔细辨认可发现:herein多跟在价格(price)、费用(freight)、期限(period)等词后,表示由此合同或合约所设定(规定、限定)。

(25)The seller shall make delivery of the goods strictly within the period stipulated herein.

制造商应在合同限定日期范围内对货物一丝不苟地进行全面检验,方可发货。

(26)Landing and delivery charges and pier dues shall be at the expense of the goods unless included in the freight herein provided for.

卸货、交货费用及码头费应由货主支付,但已含在本合同规定的运费中的除外。

5.2 therein

Collins Learner’s English Dictionary中对therein的解析为:(1) contained in the place that has been mentioned.(2)relating to something that has just been mentioned. 第一个义项并不在合同英文中使用,故暂不讨论;而第二个义项,则与前文所讨论过的 thereof意思相近,都指在文本距离较近的范围内,所提及过的事物。但相较,thereof表示列举的收束性强调,而therein更加强调与herein相似的“文本规定”,只是herein强调规约主体为整个合同文本,而therein强调具体细节的规约出处即在先前陈述里,如下例:

(27)The policy and procedures regarding government procurement provided for therein were consistent with international practice.

合同先前所规定的有关政府采购的政策和程序是与国际惯例相一致的。

(28)The Contractor shall, throughout the execution completion of the Works, the remedying of any defects therein, take all reasonable steps to protect the environment on/off the site.

在工程履约竣工及前述修补工程缺陷的整个过程中,承包人应采取一切合理措施以保护现场内外环境。

5.3 hereinafter/thereinafter/hereinabove

将此三词并举,因为三者都常与表指称、定义及规定的动词被动形式连用(referred, defined,called),表示“以下称”,“上文称”等含义。如下例:

(29)Any other management form shall be separately formulated by the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (hereinafter referred to as the CIRC).

其他管理方式,由中国保险监督管理委员会(以下简称中国保监会)另行规定。

thereinafter与hereinafter句法功能基本一致,使用时可互相替换。

(30)This letter of guarantee (Bidder’s name)(it is called “Bidder” thereinafter) is the one provided by the bidder for the bidinvitation of No. XXXXXXXX (Bid No.&public bidding institution).

本保函作为(投标人名称)(以下简称“投标人”)对(招标机构)(招标编号)的投标邀请提供的投标保函。

在合同中,我们也会见到thereinafter后单独出现名词的情况,此时thereinafter成为前置定语,意义等同于the following,多译为“如下”或“以下”。

(31)The compulsory remittance between your company and ours should be remitted to the thereinafter account, we will confirm.

贵公司与我公司所发生的义务汇款可以汇进以下账号中,我公司均予以确认。

而hereinabove可看做是hereinafter与thereinafter的反义词,指“在上文中”,多译为“以上”。

(32)We confirm that I/we have read and understood this application form (including the Terms and Conditions set out on hereinabove) and I/we agree to be bound by them.

本人确认已详阅及明白本信贷申请表(包括以上之条款及规章),并同意遵守。

6. 以under结尾的复合副词

hereunder和thereunder都含有the following之意,指向后续文本。在采用此意时,我们可将其看做hereinafter/thereinafter的同义词,做后置定语,译为“以下”。

(33)Articles marked“●”hereunder are applied as conditions of this requisition.

以下标有“●”的项目作为必要条件。

(34)The Customer is duly authorized to enter into the Operative Agreements, to give Instructions and Requests and to perform its obligations thereunder.

客户适时授权成为有效协议的一部分,给予指令及要求,履行以下义务。

但我们也需意识到,hereunder和thereunder还享有under的另一分义:即according to,换言之,hereunder和 thereunder都可以用来表述“由合同所明示的”或“合同下”。其一般跟在名词之后,翻译时需在此名词前加上“本合同”、“本合约”等作为修饰限定语。

(35)Neither Client nor Consultant shall assign or sublet their rights or obligations hereunder/thereunder without the prior written consent of the other party.

未经另一方事先书面同意,无论是委托方或是咨询方均不得将其合同权利或义务转让或转包给他人。

(36)Either Party’s termination of this Agreement will be without prejudice to any other remedies that each Party may have hereunder or under applicable law.

任何一方对本合约的终止决定都不得损害另一方根据本合约或法律应享有的其他权利。

例 36 中,虽然hereunder并无直接修饰名词,但根据句法,我们可分析,其修饰对象实为remedies, 而that each Party may have是对remedies的强调,故译作“本合约所享有的其他权利”。

7. 总结

我们通过下表,再对本文讨论的古体词中的复合副词做一回顾。

img29

续表

img30

通过此表,我们可对商务合同中常出现的古体复合副词之用法及翻译做一概观。此表及本文的译例,确可为合同古体词的英汉翻译提供指引。然而,由于汉语表达本身的意合性,合同语言中或并不会出现明显的表示语句及所述对象间逻辑关系的标志词。故在汉英翻译时,译者首先应通读合同,厘清合同语句间及所述事实、对象间的逻辑关系,在译文中确当地选择并使用上述的复合副词,使译文准确、简洁且行文庄严,顺利发挥其在国际贸易中的重要作用。

注释:有命题p、命题q,且满足如下关系:如果没有P,就必然没有Q,而有了P,却未必有Q(可以有Q,也可以没有Q)。这样,P就是Q的必要条件。换句话说,对于Q的存在而言,P的存在是必不可少的。

参考文献

① 必要条件:逻辑学中假言命题三大类之一。假设

[1] Collins COBUILD Learners Dictionary for Advanced Learns, 4th edition [M]. London: Collins Cobuild, 2003.

[2] Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. 1st edition [M] London: Pearson ESL, 2003.

[3] 廖瑛、莫再树. 国际商务英语语言与翻译研究[M].北京:对外经济贸易大学出版社,2007.

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