首页 理论教育 假定及其英汉互译

假定及其英汉互译

时间:2022-04-01 理论教育 版权反馈
【摘要】:第二节 假定及其英汉互译一、假定的定义及其分类假定指适用规范的必要条件,也称为前提条件,其作用在于限定行为模式的适用范围,也就是当事人行使权利或者履行义务必须满足的事实状态,[7]常用条件句表示。停止条件指因其成就而使法律行为发生效力的条件,而解除条件指因其成就而使法律行为效力消灭的条件。

第二节 假定及其英汉互译

一、假定的定义及其分类

假定指适用规范的必要条件,也称为前提条件,其作用在于限定行为模式的适用范围,也就是当事人行使权利或者履行义务必须满足的事实状态,[7]常用条件句表示。每一个法律规范都是在一定条件出现的情况下才能适用,而适用这一法律规范的这种条件就称为假定,其功能是对行为模式的适用范文加以限制。如我国《刑事诉讼法》第37条规定:“凡是知道案件情况的人,都有作证的义务”,其中的“凡是知道案件情况的人”就是假定。在许多情况下,假定部分并未列明,但可从条文中推论出来。如《婚姻法》第18条规定:“夫妻有相互继承遗产的权利”,其中并未列明假定部分,但可以推论出来,即“夫妻一方先亡且有遗产”便是假定。

在传统民法中,法律行为所附的条件是“当事人以将来不确定的事实作为决定法律行为效力的附款”。所谓“决定法律行为效力”,指决定法律行为的效力发生或消灭。相应地,传统民法中的条件就分为停止条件和解除条件。停止条件指因其成就而使法律行为发生效力的条件,而解除条件指因其成就而使法律行为效力消灭的条件。[8]西方学者也根据前提条件和行为模式正当性发生与否的关系,将假定分为停止条件(condition precedent,也称为先决条件)和解除条件(condition subsequent),前者指决定行为模式正当性发生法律效力之条件,后者则指决定行为模式的正当性丧失法律效力的条件。[9]此外,还可根据条件的成就与否事关当事人的行为的正当性与否的关系而将条件分为积极条件和消极条件。[10]本书将重点探讨停止条件和解除条件的表现形式及其英汉转换。

二、法律英语中停止条件句的表达模式

Coode认为可将法律英语的条件句要素分为case(情况)、condition(条件)、legal subject(法律主体)和legal action(法律行为),并提出一个典型的模式:

Case:      Where any Quaker refuses to pay any church rates

Condition:    if any churchwarden complains thereof

Legal Subject:  one of the next Justice of the peace

Legal Action:  may summon such Quaker

在该模式中,where和if引导的两个分句表示后面法律主体行使法律行为的事实情景(fact situation),即采用“If P1+P2,then Q”的模式。为了与代表性的“If P,then Q”法律规范的逻辑结构相吻合,可将上述模式修改如下:

Where a churchwarden files a complaint against a Quaker for refusing to pay any church rates,one of the next Justices of the peace may summon such Quaker.

该表述模式反映出Halliday所述的语言三大功能之一的逻辑和经验功能。[11]逻辑功能的主要特征就是“递归性”,即事物内部的抽象关系表现为或是并列关系,或是从属关系,两者都是可递归的。[12]法律英语语篇逻辑性极强,具有鲜明的递归性,其中的一个表现形式是David Crystal归纳出来的基本句式:“If X,Y should be(or do)Z”这样的条件从句[13]Bhatia在论及法律条款的句法特征时也曾指出,“情形(case)常由where,if或when等状语从句引导且非常冗长,并导致法律主体(legal subject)延后。”[14]上述结论都会说明状语从句乃是法律文体的重要特征。例如,If X,Y should be(or do)Z句式包括事实情境和法律陈述两个部分,前者由条件从句表示,后者为主句,两者共同构成一个完整语句,并体现出严密的法律逻辑。[15]

尽管在普通文体中,条件句多以if引导,但表示法律逻辑中的条件意义并不完全依赖连词if。英语中有些连词在普通文体中很少用以表示条件关系,但在法律文体中却频频得到使用。例如连词when在一般文体中常表示时间关系,但在法律语境中常表达条件意义,强调事实情境与法律陈述之间的逻辑关系。[16]笔者随机抽选了四部英文法律,对其中停止条件的使用情况进行了梳理。其中使用频率最高的是下列五个引导词(见表8-1):

表8-1 英文文本中停止条件句引导词的使用情况概况

img41

笔者发现,除了If X,Y should be(or do)Z这种基本句式外,还常用whenever;at any time when;where;provided that;in case of;in the event of;As used/when used(in this section);for the purpose of(this Ordinance)等介词短语结构或关系副词引导假定结构。具体而言:

(一)使用if引导

如前所述,使用if引导停止条件句乃是英美法系国家最常见的句式。例如:

If the Commission finds,after notice and opportunity for hearing,that any person is violating,has violated,or is about to violate any provision of this title,or anyrule or regulation thereunder,the Commission may publish its findings and enter an order requiring such person,and any other person that is,was,or would be a cause of the violation,due to an act or omission the person knew or should have known would contribute to such violation,to cease and desist from committing or causing such violation and any future violation of the same provision,rule,or regulation.

(二)使用where引导

Where在基础英语中常引导地点状语从句,但在法律语言中常引导停止条件句。[17]例如:

Where a judgment has been obtained in the Supreme Court against any person,the Supreme Court shall,on an application made by the judgment creditor and on proof that the judgment debtor is resident in the United Kingdom,issue to the judgment creditor a certified copy of the judgment.

(三)使用in(the)case of引导

该结构常用于引导某个需要指涉的对象。例如:

In the case of a product which is a veterinary biological product,the term means the period described in subparagraph(B)to which the limitation described in paragraph(6)applies.

(四)使用when/whenever引导

该句式常用于表示主句动作以从句动作为条件而发生。例如:

Whenever a mistake has been made in a registration and a showing has been made that such mistake occurred in good faith through the fault of the applicant,the Director is authorized to issue a certificate of correction;

(五)使用in the event of引导

该结构常用于表示在某种情况下。例如:

The Secretary of Commerce,upon nomination by the Director,shall appoint a Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office who shall be vested with the authority to act in the capacity of the Director in the event of the absence or incapacity of the Director.

(六)使用as引导[18]

as(used)意思是when(used)。As的这种用法在法律语言中颇为常见。例如:

As used in this section,the term“NAFTA country”has the meaning given that term in section 2(4)of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act;

As used in this subsection,the term“product”includes an approved product.

(七)使用without prejudice to引导[19]

该结构后常接指代某项法律条款的名词,与subject to..的句法结构相同,表示对有关事项或者条款的规限程度,只是前者表示不得影响或损害其规限的事物,而后者表示必须“符合”或“依照”有关条款或规定。例如:

Without prejudice to the general powers conferred by the preceding Article and the other powers conferred by these Articles,it is hereby expressly declared that the Directors shall have the following powers..

(八)用notwithstanding引导

在法律英语中,notwithstanding的意思是although,though和even if,常译为“尽管;即使”,表示让步。尽管该词可引导状语从句,但其与in spite of一样,常接名词性短语,表示“本规定应优先适用”。Notwithstanding anything in this Act这个句式或其他类似结构在新西兰立法中颇为常见。例如:

Version 6.0August 200931

Chapter 3—Principles of clear drafting

□Notwithstanding anything in any other enactment..

□Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections(1)and(2)or section 60(2),but subject to subsection(2A)and section 60(3)..

This Part of the Act shall apply notwithstanding anything in any other Part of this Act..

(九)使用subject to引导

subject to在法律英语中常表示“在不违反(本法)的规定的情况下”,可用于句首,也可用于句尾。例如:

The Office may establish regulations,not inconsistent with law,which shall facilitate and expedite the processing of patent applications,particularly those which can be filed,stored,processed,searched,and retrieved electronically,subject to the provisions of section 122relating to the confidential status of applications;

Subject to the limitations set forth in this Act,any person who uses a mark may file in the office of the Secretary,in a manner complying with the requirements of the Secretary,an application for registration of that mark setting forth,but not limited to,the following information:..

Subject to与notwithstanding一样,常用于表示某部立法或不同立法中的规定不一致时,应优先适用哪项规定。根据现在的立法理念,这两个结构都应予以避免,而应采用“某个规定优于或应让位于另一项规定”之类的直接性表述。例如:“This section applies despite anything in section 100”或“This section prevails over section 100”.(即本条优于第100条);反之可表述为“Section 100overrides this section”(即第100条优于本条)。在英美法系的立法中,当意图表达“根据、按照”(in accordance with)之意时,应避免使用subject to,因in accordance with与subject to的意思并不一样:前者的意思是“符合、遵守、与……一致”,但后者表达的是一个条件关系。有学者就建议立法中的句子不要以Subject to或Except as provided这类结构开头,相反,应在另外一个条款中列明将限定语。例如:

□Subsection(1)is subject to subsection(3).Or,

□Subsection(1)is subject to section 14of the Supreme Court Act 2003(which provides that..

故在汉译英时应特别注意。

(十)用for the purpose(s)of引导

for the purpose of在基础英语和法律语境下都可表示“为了……目的”。除此之外,在立法文件中大量使用该表述结构,表示“为了实现立法宗旨而做出……规定”。例如:

For the purposes of paragraph(2)(B),the term“due diligence”means that degree of attention,continuous directed effort,and timeliness as may reasonably be expected from,and are ordinarily exercised by,aperson during a regulatory review period.

此外,使用其他介词短语结构引导停止条件句的情况也不乏少数(参见后面的有关内容)。了解英文中的有关表述可为后文的法律法规的英语提供有利的借鉴作用。

三、法律汉语中的停止条件句的表达模式

如前所述,“假定”结构常表现为条件句,但该“条件”与汉语语法中的“条件复句”(其代表句式为“只要P,就Q”[20])中的“条件”有别,即法律语言中的条件句其实是汉语中的假设复句(其代表格式为“如果P,就Q”),因“‘如果’可形成两面假设、正反配合的用法,正反两面一般轻重平衡,显得客观、冷静”,[21]符合法律句式的语义特征,即“主要表现为虚拟性和条件性”。[22]表示“如果”类的词语还有“如、若、如若、若是、要不然、假若、假使、假定、倘若、设若、万一、倘、倘使、要不然”等,“就”也可以用“(那么)便、(那么)则”等表示。但除了代表句式外,法律语言中尚使用其他形式表示条件。笔者曾对我国的《民法通则》《合同法》《刑法》和《劳动法》中担任停止条件句的情况进行了粗略统计,得出下列数据(见表8-2):

表8-2 停止条件句的类型

img42

从表8-2可以看出,表示条件的“如果……”在法律的使用频率并不高,相反,倒是“的”字句,“对”字句,以及表示时间的“当/在…,时/时候/前提下/前/内/下/期间”结构更为突出,也有一定数量的主谓结构担任假定。具体而言:

(一)“的”字句

如表8-2所示,“的”字句是法律汉语中最为常见的假定结构。有学者认为,“的”字结构实质上乃是省略了作为逻辑主语的行为者的一种语法结构。[23]对此,有学者持肯定观点,认为汉语“的”字结构(即“名词短语/动词短语/形容词短语+的”结构)就是“名词短语/动词短语/形容词短语+的+名词”结构省略了中心名词转化而来的;但也有学者认为两者并非一一对应关系,如在“操作这台机器的(~)不是人,而是一架计算机”中,中心名词并不能补出,因此不存在省略现象。[24]从这个意义上说,“的”字结构有其自身的结构原则,是一种独立的语言结构。[25]还有学者从认知语法的角度出发,认为汉语“的”结构是一个典型参照点结构。作为该结构中唯一不变的成分,“的”字的模式义是凸显参照点关系,尤其认为“的”在动词“的”字结构中的典型意义就是凸显整体与部分的关系。整体的概念,即某一时间关系本身,充当参照体;部分,即某一时间关系的参与者,由于显著度低于整体概念,在参照点关系中扮演目标体角色。这一整体/部分参照点关系,又因部分由不同的参与者充当,体现为更具体明确的关系。[26]这些研究对“的”字句的翻译提供了理论支撑。

梳理法律规范的假定结构后发现,“的”字结构在立法中常为动宾结构。其中比较特殊的是与“凡”连用[27],表明范围的宽泛性;与“有”字句连用形成动宾结构,表明有关的范围;以及与“对”字句连用(参见后面的相关内容)。例如:

第十条 凡在中华人民共和国领域外犯罪,依照本法应当负刑事责任的,虽然经过外国审判,仍然可以依照本法追究,但是在外国已经受过刑罚处罚的,可以免除或者减轻处罚。(《刑法》)

第二十三条 公民有下列情形之一的,利害关系人可以向人民法院申请宣告他死亡

(一)下落不明满四年的;(二)因意外事故下落不明,从事故发生之日起满二年的。(《民法通则》)

第三百零八条 对证人进行打击报复的,处3年以下有期徒刑或者拘役。(《刑法》)除了动宾结构外,主谓结构的“的”字句在法律汉语中也不乏少数。例如:

第十条 当事人订立合同,有书面形式、口头形式和其他形式。法律、行政法规规定采用书面形式的,应当采用书面形式。当事人约定采用书面形式的,应当采用书面形式。(《合同法》)

第三十八条 国家根据需要下达指令性任务或者国家订货任务的,有关法人、其他组织之间应当依照有关法律、行政法规规定的权利和义务订立合同。(《合同法》)此外,“的”字结构在刑法中常为一种定义的模式,与“是”字句常联合使用,以对概念进行界定。例如:“为了犯罪,准备工具、制造条件的,是犯罪预备”(《刑法》第22条)。对此,参见后面的内容。

由于“的”字结构在法律中所承载的部分长短不一,有时包含较长的复杂句式,故而难以分辨其性质,但其功能或作用不会改变,即为法律主体实施某法律行为提供前提条件。

(二)主谓结构

用主谓结构担任停止条件句在法律汉语中比较特殊,但却不乏少数。例如:

第十三条 省、自治区、直辖市制定严于强制性国家标准、行业标准的地方节能标准,由省、自治区、直辖市人民政府报经国务院批准;本法另有规定的除外。(《能源法》)

第四十六条 企业法人终止,应当向登记机关办理注销登记并公告;(《民法通则》条)

企业法人解散,应当成立清算组织,进行清算。(《民法通则》第47条)

第七条 当事人订立、履行合同,应当遵守法律、行政法规,尊重社会公德,不得

扰乱社会经济秩序,损害社会公共利益。(《合同法》)上述例子中的画线部分均为主谓结构,尽管在结构或句式形式特征不够完整或明显,但其表意十分清楚,即作为条件句而担任假定部分。

(三)一般条件句

在法律汉语中,除“一……就——……”比较罕见外,表示条件或时间的条件或假设句型如“如果”、“当/在……时/时候/情况下/范围内”等,都常用于表示假定。例如:

第四十五条 中华人民共和国公民在年老、疾病或者丧失劳动能力的情况下,有从国家和社会获得物质帮助的权利。国家发展为公民享受这些权利所需要的社会保险、社会救济和医疗卫生事业。(《宪法》)

第一百条 依法受过刑事处罚的人,在入伍、就业的时候,应当如实向有关单位报告自己曾受过刑事处罚,不得隐瞒。(《刑法》)

第三十一条 县级以上质量监督、工商行政管理、食品药品监督管理部门应当依照《中华人民共和国行政许可法》的规定,审核申请人提交的本法第二十七条第一项至第四项规定要求的相关资料,必要时对申请人的生产经营场所进行现场核查。(《食品安全法》)

第一百二十九条 如果危险是由自然原因引起的,紧急避险人不承担民事责任或者承担适当的民事责任。(《民法通则》)

上述画线部分均表示法律行为主体实施行为的条件。在翻译时可适当地根据英语的相应表述方式而灵活处理。

(四)“对”字句

“对”字句在刑事法律规范中尤为常见,从法律规范的逻辑结构而言多属于假定结构;“对”字句也常与“的”字句连用而形成假定模式。例如:

第二十八条 对于被胁迫参加犯罪的,应当按照他的犯罪情节减轻处罚或免除处罚。(《刑法》)

第一百三十八条 人民检察院对于公安机关移送起诉的案件,应当在一个月以内做出决定,重大、复杂的案件可以延长半个月。(《刑事诉讼法》)

上述例句中的画线部分可分别改为条件句的代表句式:“如果某人被胁迫实施犯罪,那么……”和“如果案件需要由公安机关移送起诉,那么……”,从而使其假定结构的特征更为明显。有学者就曾“对”字句的使用频率做过统计(见表8-3):

表8-3 “对”字句的使用比率[28]

img43

从表8-3可以看出,“对”字句在法律文本中使用比率极高,也印证了表8.2所述的结论。对“对”字句,我国学术界有二分法[29]、三分法[30],以及四分法[31]等不同意见,但在法律法规中,“对”字句主要表示行为指涉的对象或范围。任何一种法律行为,尤其是执法和司法主体实施的行为,都是针对特定对象或范围的,因此,当表达法律行为所指向的对象或范围时,“对”字句就是恰当的承载句式。总体而言,“对”字句在法律法规中具有下列语用功能:

首先,强调突显功能。“对”字短语与句子中心动词存在着受动关系而又位于动词前面,这样就使得动词支配对象处于醒目的地位,因此,“对”字句本身就有强调突出动词的受事成分的功能。

其次,指示范围功能。例如,《婚姻法》第十七条第二款规定:“夫妻对共同所有的财产,有平等的处理权”。其中的“对”字短语能指明某个其语义内容适用的范围。

最后,篇章衔接功能。“对”字句中的“对”字短语表示的是谓语中心语展开的限定范围,因此,“对”字短语潜在地对背景做了划分,对各事项进行分类列举,以更清晰、醒目地凸显信息的焦点。例如:

第八十九条 公安机关办理治安案件,对与案件有关的需要作为证据的物品,可以扣押;对被侵害人或者善意第三人合法占有的财产,不得扣押,应当予以登记。对与案件无关的物品,不得扣押。(《治安管理处罚法》)

画线处的三个“对”就是典型的话题标记词,具有凸显焦点、衔接篇章的功能。[32]就语法结构而言,“对”字句可分为:

(1)施事省略的倒装句。任何行为都有施事,且大多数情况下都会有其受事,从而构成完整的结构。但在法律行为中,尤其是执法和司法行为主体实施之行为,一般情况下并非表述为完整的规范,即施事常省略而形成无主句,即“对于句”在法律法规的常态是前置而形成倒装,这也与法律汉语中常用无主句的特点相吻合。例如:

对于被胁迫参加犯罪的,应当按照他的犯罪情节减轻处罚或免除处罚。(《刑法》第28条)

对于预备犯,可以比照既遂犯从轻、减轻处罚或者免除处罚。(《刑法》第22条第2款)

在上例中,“对于句”放在句首,其携带的短语充当前提条件,而“对于句”所隐含的主体(“胁从犯”、“预备犯”)是行为(“处罚”)的受事。

(2)主谓宾结构。尽管“对”字句中的施事常省略,完整的SVO结构也不乏少数,但此时,施事可放在“对于句”的前面或后面,且对“对字句”的功能并无影响。例如:

人民检察院对于公安机关移送起诉的案件,应当在一个月以内做出决定,重大、复杂的案件可以延长半个月。(《刑事诉讼法》第138条)

对于补充侦查的案件,人民检察院仍然认为证据不足的,不符合起诉条件的,可以做出不起诉的决定。

在上例中,“人民检察院”作为施事,位置比较灵活。

尽管“对于句”与“对”字句在多数情况下具有相同的句法功能而可以互换,但在某些情况下两者有不同的表意功能。例如:

A聚众斗殴的,对首要分子和其他积极参加的,处三年以下有期徒刑、拘役或者管制。(《刑法》第292条)

B对证人进行打击报复的,处3年以下有期徒刑或者拘役。(《刑法》第308条)即在A中,“对于”与“对”意思相同,可以互换;而在B中,“对”引导的部分并非“处”这个行为的受事,完全不同于“对于句”的代表性用法。实际上,a2)是一个典型的“的”字句,其隐含的中心词是“某个人”,即“对证人进行打击报复的人”。故而,有不少学者建议应引起重视,在可以互换时应该统一两者的用法,避免造成歧义或者冲突。[33]

(五)反义表述句

法律汉语中的另一个表示条件的基本句型就是反义表述句。例如:

对于犯罪分子的假释,依照本法第79条规定的程序进行。非经法定程序不得假释。该例中的“非经/未经(程序性规定)……不得(实体性)规定”模式在形式上为双重否定,在功能上为补充性规定,也为一种条件句的表现形式。在逻辑学上,该句式为一种负命题,是立法特定思维下的语言定式的产物;从句义层面观之,一类是实施性行为,一类为被实施的行为。例如“任何公民,非经人民检察院批准或决定或者人民法院决定,并由公安机关执行,不受逮捕”;“公民享有肖像权,未经本人同意,不得以营利为目的使用公民的肖像权。”其中的“不得”、“不受”与实施性动词“逮捕”和“使用”衔接,使表述更为简洁和明确。这种反义表述强调正面的含义,尽管在立法中的使用数量并不大,但却非常稳定,并形成了句法习惯,具有“将法律行为的程序规范清晰地表达出来、明确程序的连贯性要求、明示行为的法定条件、能够加强表述力度”等优势[34]。这种表述并不单独强调每个否定词后面所否定的意思,而是体现一个完整规范的连贯性和整体性。该框架不可拆分,否则其所表达的整体意思也就不复存在,这也是其不能被直接的肯定句式所取代的原因之所在。

四、法律英语中停止条件句的汉译

对于停止条件句的翻译,我国学者李克兴作了比较详细地分析。[35]还有学者对以我国香港特区双语法例第32章《公司法》为语料,从描写研究法和翻译类型学的理论视角,对我国香港特区法例中引导条件状语的if,where,in(the)case of,in the event of以及when等引导词的译法进行探讨,并试图提出法律文本中不同条件句引导词的不同译法及其翻译模式。[36]目前还有不少文章、法律翻译类专著或手册对法律犯规的翻译进行探讨,但切实按照目的语的表达习惯进行翻译者却并不多见。由于英汉法律语言受各自文化的影响而有其各自的表达习惯,在翻译时须考虑这一点。下面将对各引导结构的译法进行评析并简要进行归纳总结。

(一)if的译法评析

有学者从我国香港特区中英立法对比分析后认为if的翻译模式主要可归纳为下列两种模式:

(1)“if”从句+→─主句“如”从句+主句(其所搜集样本中有70%采用的是这种模式);

(2)主句+“if”→─从句“如”从句+主句(该模式占到所搜集样本的16%);[37]

即采取法律条件句的代表性表达模式,将“if”译为“如”。就主句与从句的位置而言,该模式因符合汉语条件句中“条件句在前,主句在后”的表述特点而具有一定的合理性。但如前所说,即便英语中最常见的模式是“IF X,Y will do Z”,汉语中并非以“如果P,则Q”这一代表性句式来表示假定;相反,从使用的频率而言,倒是“的”字句及其他结构更为常见。总之,在翻译时须体现出假定结构的普适性,即将假设尽量译为条件句。例如:

A company whose objects require comprise the transaction of business outside Hong Kong,may,if authorized byits articles,have for use in any territory,district,or place not situated in Hong Kong,an official seal,which shall be a facsimile of the common seal of the company,with the addition on its face of the name of every territory,district,or place where it is to be used.

凡其宗旨需要或包括在我国香港特区以外进行业务交易的公司,可在其章程许可的范围内,在我国香港特区以外的任何领域、地区或地方备一个正式印章以供使用。该正式印章须为公司印章的复制品,且须在其印面加上将使用该印章的区域、地区或地方的名称。

该例句中的“if”结构表示假定,如果译为“如果”,则纯粹表示一个假设,与“每个公司都设有章程以确定其经营范围”这一客观事实不符合,故不妨译为一个介词短语。又如:

If an invention was made by aperson,civil or military-

(A)while domiciled in the United States,and serving in any other country in connection with operations by or on behalf of the United States,

(B)while domiciled in a NAFTA country and serving in another country in connection with operations by or on behalf of that NAFTA country,or(C)..,

that person shall be entitled to the same rights of priority in the United States with respect to such invention as if such invention had been made in the United States,that NAFTA country,or that WTO member country,as the case may be.

若将上例中的if结构译为“如果发明人(无论文职或武职):(A)……(B)……或(C),则该发明人……”,则不符合目的与表述习惯,因法律汉语中,表示条件的并列结构常使用“有”字句和“的”字句的联合结构。因此,不妨采用该格式。试译:

发明人(无论文职或武职)有下列情节之一的,其发明在美国享有同等优先权,即该发明视为在美国、该北美自由贸易协议成员国或该世界贸易组织成员国完成(视情况而定):

①在美国有住所,且在其他任何国家执行美国的任务或代表美国执行任务;

②在北美自由贸易协议国家某个成员国内有住所,且在其他任何国家执行该成员国的任务或代表该成员国执行任务;或者……

综上,不能将if结构一味译为“如果……”法律汉语中较为常见的“的”字句、“在……时/情况下、/有…下列情况(之一)”等结构,尽管这些译法在语意上削弱了if作为条件句表示“如果”的意思,但却是法律汉语中地道的假定结构,其功能与原文相同。

(二)where的译法

有学者对where的译法进行了统计,认为可分为下列两种模式:

(1)“where”从句+→─主句“凡”从句+主句(其所搜集样本中有43%采用的是这种模式);

(2)“where”从句+→─主句“如”从句+主句(该模式占到所搜集样本的22%);

即在绝大部分情形下可译为“凡”,并认为凡是译为“如”的地方均可由“凡”代替。[38]在法律英语中,where引导条件句时确实常在主句之前,但位于主句之后的情况也不乏少数,而且将其译法限定为“凡”和“如”,实在是对我国立法中假定结构的误解。从前面的统计可知,法律汉语中使用“凡”引导假定的情况极少,而where在法律英语中使用频率极高,故不妨采取法律

汉语中使用频率高的结构对译之。

例1 Retirement From Partnership At Will[39]

Where no fixed term has been agreed upon for the duration of the partnership,any partner may determine the partnership at any time on giving notice of his intention to do so to all the other partners.

合伙协议未约定合伙企业的期限的,合伙人可于通知其他合伙人后随时退伙。

即译为“的”字句,对此可参考我国《合伙企业法》第三十八条的规定。

例2 The applicant shall furnish a drawing where necessary for the understanding of the subject matter sought to be patented.

为说明专利拟保护的客体,申请人在必要时应提供附图。

例2中的where位于主句之后,可将where necessary译为“在……时”。

例3 Where the order is made on a summons the order shall be served on the judgment debtor,but where the order is made on an ex parte application no service of the order on the judgment debtor shall be required.

对于应传票而发布的命令,须送达判定债务人,但对于应一方请求而签发的命令,则无须送达判定债务人。

即将其译为“对”字句;或者将“对”省略,即不译,均符合法律汉语的表述规范。

(三)when/whenever的译法

有学者认为可将When译为其本意,即“在/当……时”和“一经”,表示时间的从句关系;也可译为“如”而表示条件。根据其统计,when表示条件在《公司法》里只出现了5次,故认为并不长用于引导条件句。[40]其实,when/whenever一如其他引导假定结构的引导词,其译法并非如此单一,可不译,或译为各种表示假定的结构。例如:

Whenused in this title unless the context otherwise indicates,the term“invention”means invention or discovery.除文意另有所指外,本卷所述的“发明”包括“发明”和“发现”。(即where可不译,其表示条件的意思可从句子中推断出来)

Whenever such written declaration is used,the document must warn the declarant that willful false statements and the like are punishable by fine or imprisonment,or both.(18USC 1001)

使用上述书面声明时,须警告声明人,蓄意虚假陈述或其他类似行为要受到罚款,或监禁,或并罚。(即将其译为where的基本义“…时”)

When the nature of such subject matter admits of illustration by a drawing and the applicant has not furnished such a drawing,the Director may require its submission within a time period of not less than two months from the sending of a notice thereof.

该客体的性质要求插图说明而申请人并未提供插入的,局长可责令申请人于通知之日起2个月内提交附图。(即将where译为“的”字句)

(四)in the event of的译法

该短语可译为“在…情况下”、“在……时”或“如果”等。例如:

The Secretary of Commerce,upon nomination by the Director,shall appoint a Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office who shall be vested with the authority to act in the capacityof the Director in the event of the absence or incapacity of the Director.(商务部长可根据局长的提名任命一知识产权贸易副次长和美国专利商标局副局长,在局长缺席或不能履行职责时暂代局长之职。)

In the event of the winding up of a company re-registered in purs ance of this section,the following provisions shall have effect-(a)..;(b)..;(c)..(依据本条重新注册的公司在清算时,适用下列规定:(1)……(2)……(3)……

(五)notwithstanding的译法

notwithstanding常表示让步,意思是“…更优先适用性,不受…的限制”。

例1 Notwithstanding Section 26of the Magistrates Ordinance,a complaint may be made or an information laid in respect of an offence under section 3within two years from the time when the matter of such complaint or information respectively arose.对于第3条所订罪行,可在事后两年内申诉或告发,不受《裁判官条例》第26条的限制。

例2 Notwithstanding any other provision of law,a determination by the Director to release or not to release information concerning apublished patent application shall be final and nonreviewable.尽管法律有其他规定,局长对是否披露与已公布专利申请相关的信息所作的决定是终局的,不得要求复议。

(六)Without prejudice to的译法

该结构可用于句首或句尾,可译为“在不损害……的原则下”、“在不影响……的情况下”、“……不受影响”、“不妨碍……”等。

例1 Without prejudice to the general powers conferred by the preceding Article and the other powers conferred by these Articles,it is hereby expressly declared that the Directors shall have the following powers..(在不影响上一条赋予董事的一般权利及本章程细则赋予董事其他权利的情况下,现明确声明董事享有下列权利…)

例2 In such suits the record in the Patent and Trademark Office shall be admitted on motion of either party upon the terms and conditions as to costs,expenses,and the further cross-examination of the witnesses as the court imposes,without prejudice to the right of the parties to take further testimony.The testimony and exhibits of the record in the Patent and Trademark Office when admitted shall have the same effect as if originally taken and produced in the suit.(在该类诉讼中,可依据当事人的请求以及法院关于诉讼费、开支、对证人的进一步盘问的相关规定,允许使用专利商标局所作的记录,此举并不影响当事人进一步收搜证据的权利。经允用的该局所存的证词和记录,其效力与诉讼中所出示和收集的原始证据无异。)

(七)Subject to的译法

该短语的意思是“依据、不违反、与……不得冲突”等,可灵活处理。

例1 The United States Patent and Trademark Office,subject to the policy direction of the Secretary of Commerce,shall be responsible for the granting and issuing of patents and the registration of trademarks.美国专利商标局依据商务部长的政策指示,负责专利发布与商标注册事宜。

例2 The Office shall facilitate and expedite the processing of patent applications,particularly those which can be filed,stored,processed,searched,and retrieved electronically,subject to the provisions of section 122relating to the confidential status of applications.专利商标局应根据第122条关于专利申请的保密规定,帮助和加速专利申请的处理,尤其是对那些能存档、储存、处理、检索以及通过能用电子技术恢复的专利申请进行处理。

(八)for the purpose of的译法

该结构在基础英语和法律语境下都可表示“为了……目的”。除此之外,在立法文件中大量使用该表述结构,表示“为了实现立法宗旨而做出……规定”。因此,在翻译时不能直译为“为了……目的”,可意译为“根据本(条/法等)的规定”、“在本条中”等。

例1 Persons who have entered into partnership with one another are,for the purpose of this Ordinance,called collectively a firm,and the name under which their business is carried on is called the firm-name.在本条例中,订立合伙协议的所有人总称为合伙企业,而据以开展其义务的名称称为合伙企业名称。

例2 For the purpose of this clause“holding company”and“subsidiary undertaking”shall have the same meaning as in the Companies Act 1985as amended by the Companies Act 1989.本条所述的“控股公司”和“附属企业”,其含义与1985年颁布、并于1989年修订的《公司法》中的规定相同。

例3 For the purposes of paragraph(2)(B),the term“due diligence”means that degree of attention,continuous directed effort,and timeliness as may reasonably be expected from,and are ordinarily exercised by,aperson during a regulatory review period.根据第(2)(B)项的规定,“合理注意”指行为人在法定复审期间给予了足够、及时、持续的关注和努力。

(九)其他假定他结构的译法

如前所述,语法隐喻在法律英语中极为普遍,导致名物化结构泛滥,其中一种表现就是介词结构常引导短语或句子担任假定。此外,副词或连词引导的结构表示假定的情况也不乏少数,在翻译时可灵活处理。

例1 At any time after the respondent has been served with a temporarycease-and-desist order pursuant to subsection(c),the respondent may apply to the Commission to have the order set aside,limited or suspended.被告于收到临时禁止令后,可随时请求委员会撤销(限制或暂停执行)该临时令。

例2 In considering under this section whether a penalty is in public interest,the Commission or appropriate regulatory agency may consider the following..

由于in引导的considering与commission有主谓关系,因此不妨考虑用汉语的主谓结构来翻译该条件句。这种表达在我国法律中也是存在的,如“认定经营者具有市场支配地位,应当依据下列因素:……”(我国《反价格垄断法》第十八条)。试译:

依本条认定处罚是否符合公共利益,委员会或有关管理机构可依据/考虑下列因素……

例3 Within 60days of the submittal of an application for extension of the term of a patent under paragraph(1),the Director shall notify the Secretary of Agriculture if the patent claims a drug product.依据第(1)项的规定对药物制品专利申请续展的,局长应于申请之日起60天内将续展申请通知农业部长。

例4 On or after the effective date of the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act,the President shall appoint an individual to serve as the Director until the date on which a Director qualifies under subsection(a).自《专利商标局效率法》生效之日起,总统可任命一名临时局长,直至符合(a)款资质的局长产生之日。

总之,对于表示假定条件的结构,可根据汉语的表述习惯而适当处理。

五、法律汉语停止条件句的英译

(一)“的字句”的翻译

有学者认为,“的字句”的普量性,即在日常语境下的“的字句”的常态,不能适应法律表述的需求,故就法学量则而言,即立法表述中的内容和形式上的包容量而言,无论在形式上还是内容上,立法表述中的“的”字句都需要增量,这就意味着一个短语可以承载多个复句所表达的内容,可能包含多种单句或复句的句法关系。[41]其在具体的组句过程中可能会省略句子的某些成分,或者调整句子的语序,以适应立法表意时所需要的状态,但无论如何,“的字句”具有名词的功能,在法律汉语中常做主语或宾语,在翻译时可考虑下列因素而选择不同的英语条件句来表示:

1.当“的字句”在句子中充当行为的施事时

若表示肯定形式,可用主动句式,即用whoever/anyone who/anyone+分词/介词短语,或者使用“aperson who..+V.”句型;若为否定形式时,可变通为为“No one who..”、“whoever..shall not”等句型;[42]或者采用英语中的“条件句+主句”的结构。

例1 侵害公民身体造成伤害的,应当赔偿医疗费、因误工减少的收入、残疾人生活补助费等费用;造成死亡的,应当支付丧葬费、死者生前抚养的人必要的生活费等费用。

译1:Anyone who infringes upon a citizen’s person and causes him physical injury shall pay his medical expenses and his loss in income due to missed working time and shall pay him living subsidies if he is disabled;if the victim dies,the infringer shall pay the funeral expenses,the necessary living expenses of the deceased’s dependents and other such expenses.(LAB)

译2:In the case of violation of a citizen’s person causing bodily injury,compensation shall be paid for medical costs,reduced income due to time off work and the living allowance of a disabled person,etc.If death is caused,costs such as the funeral expenses of the deceased and the necessary living costs of those who were dependants of the deceased prior to his death shall be paid.(CCH)

译3:One who harms the person of a citizen causing injuryshould compensate him for medical expenses,reduced income due to missed work,living expenses,disability allowance,and such expenses;where death has been caused,he should also pay funeral expenses and the necessary living expenses for the deceased’s dependents.(CLR)

陈忠诚:A violator of a citizen’s person causing physical injury shall pay for the medical expenses,the income lost owing to missed work,and the disability allowance for daily life;the violator shall,where death is caused,also pay for the funeral service and the living expenses of the surviving dependent(s)of the deceased.

由于该例中的“的”字句担任句子的行为主体,是比较标准的汉语中“主谓宾”表述结构。除译2有违主位-述位推进模式外,译1、译3与陈忠诚的译文都可以接受,只是译3的“one who”结构在英美法系表述中较为少见,不值得提倡。笔者认为尚可采用“从句+主句”结构,通过代词来实现语篇的衔接和推进。试译:

If a person causes bodily injury to a citizen,he shall pay the infringed party for the medical expenses,the income lost owing to missed work,and the disability allowance for daily life;in the event of death as a result of the injury,funeral expenses and the cost of living supplements for the dependent(s)of the deceased shall be payable.

例2 合伙人未经其他合伙人同意而从事与企业相同性质的业务并对合伙企业构成竞争的,须陈述营业所得并移交给合伙企业。

上例中画线部分的“的”字句可视为句子行为(陈述、移交)的施事,也是一个比较典型的SVO结构,故可译为英语SVO结构(“one who+v”句型);也可由if引导。试译:

译1:Any partner who,without the consent of other partners,is engaged in a business of the same nature as and which is significantly competitive to that of the Company,shall account for and pay over to the firm all profits made by him in that business.

译2:If a partner,without the consent of the other partners,carries on any business of the same nature as and competing with that of the firm,he must account for and pay over to the firm all profits made by him in that business.[43]

2.当“的”字句作为行为的受事时

此时可考虑将受事作为主语而译为被动句;或者补充出行为的主语,而将“的”字句隐含的受事作为行为的宾语。

例1 以非法占有为目的,使用诈骗方法非法集资,数额较大的,处5年以下有期徒刑或者拘役,并处二万元以上二十万元以下罚金……

译1:Whoever,for the purpose of unlawful possession,unlawfully raises fund by means of fraud,shall be sentenced to pay a fine not less than twenty thousand(20,000)yuan nor more than two hundred thousand(200,000)yuan,in addition to a sentence of imprisonment for a term not more than five years or criminal detention,if the amount involved is relatively large;..[44]

原文的画线部分为句子的主语且为行为者,为法律规范中常见的“处字句”(即用主动表示被动),意思是行为者将被处以徒刑和罚金。这类“的”字句在我国台湾地区和我国香港特区常表现为“者字句”,其表示行为人的形式更为明显。[45]译1严格按照中文行文特点进行对译,只是其中的数字表达方式有失严谨。也可改译如下:

译2:“A person who/Anyone who,by fraud,raises a substantial amount of funds with intent illegally to appropriate it for himself,shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or detention,and in addition thereto,a fine of not less than 20,000Yuan(¥20,000)nor/and not more than 200,000Yuan(¥200,000).”[46]

例2 凡在中华人民共和国领域内犯罪的,除法律有特别规定的以外,都适用本法。

译1:This law shall be applicable to anyone who commits a crime within the territory and territorial waters and space of the People’s Republic of China,except as otherwise specifically provided by law.

译2:Except as otherwise specifically provided by law/Unless otherwise specifically provided by law,this Act shall be applicable to anyone who commits a crime within the territory of the People’s Republic of China.

该例中,画线部分在结构上可视为是前置宾语,而动作及其施事为“本法适用……”,即在法律表述中的结构发生了变化。[47]上述两个译法均将“人”作为宾语,其实也可将“行为”作为宾语,因为不论是对犯罪行为的实施者还是对犯罪行为本身,我国法律均有管辖权。故亦可将其改译为:

译3:This law shall be applicable to anyoffense committed within the territory of the People’s Republic of China,except as otherwise specifically provided by law.

例3 第十五条 有下列情形之一的,不予注册:

(一)不具有完全民事行为能力的;

(二)因受刑事处罚,自刑罚执行完毕之日起至申请注册之日止不满两年的;

(三)受吊销医师执业证书行政处罚,自处罚决定之日起至申请注册之日止不满两年的;

(四)有国务院卫生行政部门规定不宜从事医疗、预防、保健业务的其他情形的。

译1:Under any of the following circumstances,registration shall not be granted:

(1)where a person has not full capacity for civil conduct;

(2)where,for a person having been sentenced to criminal punishment,it is not more than two years from the date of the end of the punishment to the date of applying for registration;

(3)where,for a person having been imposed administrative punishment by which his practicing certificate of doctors was revoked,it is not more than two years from the date of the decision on the punishment to the date of applying for registration;or

(4)where other circumstances unsuitable for serves of medical treatment,prevention or health care exist as prescribed by the administrative department of health under the state Council.

该例中的“的”字句乃是行为的受事,故可译为被动句。原句采用否定动词的形式(即“不予注册”),对此,法律英语中可使用主语的否定式(“no one..”),也可使用否定动词的结构(“..shall not”)句型。译1的几个并列小项在翻译时并未遵从一致性原则,即几个where引导的从句中,有的是以person做主语,有的又是以other circumstances做主语。试看一下英国《合伙条例》的第13条的规定:

In the following cases,namely,

(a)where one partner,acting within the scope of his apparent authority,receives the money or property of a third person and misapplies it;and

(b)where a firm in the course of its business receives the money or property of a third person and the money or property so received is misapplied by one or more of the partners while it is in the custody of the firm,

the firm is liable to make good the loss.

即将namely用于following case后面,将各种具体的情形明确列举,使逻辑关系非常清晰。不妨采纳类似表述而将例3改译如下:

译2:In any of the following cases,namely,

(1)where the applicant is physically or mentally incompetent(has limited or no full capacity for civil conduct);or

(2)where an applicant convicted of an offence made an application within 2years commencing as of the date of completion of sentencing terms to the date of application[48];or

(3)where the applicant suspended license by competent authority makes an application within 2years commencing as of the date of suspension to the date of application[49];or

(4)where the applicant is not eligible to administer such services as medical treatment,disease prevention,or health care,as stipulated otherwise by the administrative department of health under the state Council,

the Department may refuse to issue any license./the Department may deny an license or registration.[50]

由于法律英语中常用if来引导并列结构,故不妨使用if引导而改译如下:

译3:The Department may refuse to issue any license,if-

(1)the applicant is physically or mentally incompetent;or

(2)the applicant convicted of..or(3)..,or;(4)..

例4 伪造、变造会计凭证、会计账簿、编制虚假财务会计报告,构成犯罪的,依法追究刑事责任。

译文1:Where accounting vouches or account books are counterfeited or altered,or false financial and accounting reports are prepared,and therefore a crime is constituted,criminal liabilities shall be investigated in accordance with law.

译文2:If a person counterfeits or alters accounting vouches,account books,or financial statements,and constitutes criminal offence,criminal liability shall be pursued.

译文1采用where句型,采用的被动句型,并按照原文句式进行处理,以求平衡,但立法追究的是人的责任,故应将行为人作为主语方能更好地表明立法意图;译文2在语篇衔接上表示很符合逻辑,是人的行为构成犯罪,而不是“aperson..constitutes an offense”,亦不足取;可折中一下,不妨译为:

If a person counterfeits or alters accounting vouches,account books or financial statements in violation of penal law,criminal liability shall be pursued./a competent judicial organ shall prosecute the said person for his criminal responsibilityin accordance with law./he shall be liable for criminal responsibility.(即可译为被动句,也可补充“追究”的主语而译为主动句。)

3.“的”字句的其他译法

如果“的”字句与句子的行为之间不存在动宾或主谓关系,则可将“的”字句译为纯粹的条件句,即分别表述为“in case of”、“if..”、“where..”、“when..”或其他介词结构引导的句型。

例1 第四十九条 企业法人有下列情形之一的,除法人承担责任外,对法定代表人可以给予行政处分、罚款,构成犯罪的,依法追究刑事责任:

(一)超出登记机关核准登记的经营范围从事非法经营的;

(二)向登记机关、税务机关隐瞒真实情况、弄虚作假的。

译文1:Under any of the followingcircumstances,an enterprise as legal person shall bear liability,its legal representative may additionally be given administrative sanctions and fined and,if the offence constitutes a crime,criminal responsibility shall be investigated in accordance with the law。

译文2:When one of the followingsituations exists with respect to an enterprisejuristic person,apart from responsibilities undertaken by the juristic person,an administrative sanction or a fine may be imposed on its legal representative;if a crime has been established,criminal responsibility shall be investigated in accordance with the law for..(美国版)

译文3:Should any one of the following circumstances apply to a corporation,it shall assume liability and,in addition,its legal representative may be subject to administrative sanction or a fine;if a crime is constituted,criminal liability shall be investigated and determined according to the law…(澳大利亚版)

例1 是典型的“的”字结构,与后面主句中的行为不存在主谓或动宾逻辑关系。上面三种译法各有得失(参见陈忠诚的3A译本),笔者认为均不令人满意,故参照英国《合伙条例》的第13条的规定而改译如下:

译4:In the following cases,namely where enterprise-juristic person

(1)carries out illegal business activities beyond the scope of business approved and registered by the registration body;or

(2)conceals the true facts from the registration or tax authorities,or practices fraud..

the enterprise-juristic person shall assume liability and,in addition,its legal representative may be subject to administrative sanction or a fine;if a crime is constituted,criminal liability shall be investigated and determined according to the law.

例2 第六十九条 有下列情形之一的,委托代理终止:

(一)代理期间届满或者代理事务完成;

(二)被代理人取消委托或者代理人辞去委托……

译1:An entrusted agency shall end under any of the following circumstances:(1)when the period of agency expires or when the tasks entrusted are completed;(2)when the principal rescinds the entrustment or the agent declines the entrustment..

译2:Should any one of the following conditions exist,the appointed agency shall terminate

(i)expiration of the period of agency or completion of the matters entrusted to the agent;

(ii)cancellation of the appointment by the principal or resignation from the appointment by the agent..

译3:Entrusted representation shall terminate in any of the following situations:

(1)the time period of the agency has expired or the task of the agent has been completed;

(2)the principal cancels the entrustment or the agent resigns from the entrustment;(美国版)

本例与上述例1颇为类似,即“的”字句与后面的主句不存在主谓或动宾关系,故不妨采用例1的方式将其译为“从句+主句”结构。试译:

In the following cases,namely,

(1)where the time period of the agency has expired or the task of the agent has been completed;or

(2)where the principal cancels the entrustment or the agent resigns from the entrustment,the entrustedagency terminates.

或者改译为由if引导并列结构。试译:

The entrusted agency terminates,if-

(1)the time period of the agency has expired or the task of the agent has been completed;or

(2)the principal cancels the entrustment or the agent resigns from the entrustment;..

例3 第二百八十条 伪造、变造、买卖或者盗窃、抢夺、毁灭国家机关的公文、证件、印章的,处三年以下有期徒刑、拘役、管制或者剥夺政治权利;情节严重的,处三年以上十年以下有期徒刑。

本例的画线处为法律中的概括式立法模式,即以综合性、概括性的“情节严重”、“其他严重情节”、“其他特别严重情节”等作为情节加重犯成立的立法模式,属于逻辑结构中的假定结构,目前多译为“if the circumstance of such violation is severe”、“if the circumstances are serious”、“if the case is serious”、“if the violation is serious”等。[51]经查阅文献后发现,英美法系法律文本中极少使用这些表述。试看我国香港特区移民局对有关移民管制所做的规定:

The illegal workers were prosecuted and either fined or gaoled before being repatriated to their places of origin.Employers of illegal workers were also prosecuted and fined and,in serious cases,imprisoned.(Immigration Department,Immigration Control)

德国《刑法典》将叛国罪分为high treason和treason两类,前者的定义为:

“a violent attempt against the existence or the constitutional order of the Federal Republic of Germany,carrying apenalty of life imprisonment or a fixed term of at least ten years.In less serious cases,the penalty is 1-10years in prison.

而根据第94条的规定,对treason的处罚是:

apenalty of one to five years in prison.However,in especiallysevere cases,life imprisonment or any term of at least of five years may be sentenced.”

瑞士在其五十年代颁布的《刑法典》第266条中对“禁止外国企业危及瑞士的安全”作了下列规定:

Whoever,with the purpose of inciting or supporting foreign enterprises aimed against the security of Switzerland,enters into contact with a foreign state or with foreign parties or other foreign organizations or their agents,or makes or disseminates untrue or tendentious claims,shall be punished with imprisonment of up to five years or a monetary penalty.

In grave cases the judge may pronounce a sentence of imprisonment of no less than a month.

英美法系中也有类似的表述:

the Court first announced the regulatory taking concept—that government regulation alone,without appropriation or physical invasion of property,may be a takingif sufficientlysevere(情节严重).

可见我国法律英译本中“the case/circumstance/situation is serious”之类的表述并不常见。故,不妨将“情节严重时”这一概况性规定译为英美法系中介词短语“in serious/grave/severe case”或者“if sufficiently severe”这一缩略(deletion)结构,进而可将本例改译为:

Anyone who forges,alters,buys or sells,steals,forcibly seizes,or destroys the official documents,certificates or seals of a state rogan,shall be sentenced to an imprisonment of not more than three years,criminal detention,public surveillance,or deprivations of political rights,and in severe case/if sufficientlysevere,be sentenced to an imprisonment of ten years or less but more than three years.

(二)主谓结构假定结构的翻译

如前所述,我国法律法规中的假定也常由主谓结构担任,其功能与“的”字句相似。如果该结构担任主体,也可使用whoever/anyone who/anyone+分词/介词短语,或者使用aperson who结构;亦可根据英语的表述习惯而译为其他的假定条件句。

例1 违反本法规定,应当承担民事赔偿责任和缴纳罚款、罚金,其财产不足以同时支付时,先承担民事赔偿责任。

译1:A violator of this Law shall bear the civil compensation liability and pay the fine or pecuniary penalty.If its(his)property is insufficient to cover all the payment at the same time,it(he)shall first bear the civil compensation liability.(中)

译2:Anyone in violation of this Law shall be liable for civil compensation and payment of penalties and fines,and when the assets are not sufficient for payment,the civil compensation shall be executed first.(美)

该例中的假定结构隐含了行为主体,故可参照“的”字句担任行为主体的译法。译1表述复杂且逻辑结构不大清晰,加之冠词、代词的使用有违法律英语的表述特点,译2因更契合英语的“SV结构”表述而更为合理。

例2 在中华人民共和国境内从事下列活动,应当遵守本法:(一)食品生产和加工(以下称食品生产),食品流通和餐饮服务(以下称食品经营);(二)……

译1:Those engaging in the following activities within the People’s Republic of China shall abide by this Law:1.food production and processing(hereinafter referred to as food production),and food circulation and catering services(hereinafter referred to as food business operation);2..

译2:The following business activities carried out within the territory of the People’s Republic of China shall abide by this law:(1)Food production and processing(hereinafter referred to as“Food Production”);food distribution and catering service(hereinafter referred to as“Food Trading”);(2)..

本例中画线部分与冒号后面的并列结构构成同位语,即句子的主语为一些行为,故从语篇的主位述位推进模式这一视角而言,译1从逻辑上混乱,而且在序号的标注上不符合英语语法的表述规范。译2在语篇衔接上则更通顺,但activities..abide by the law的用法不妥,不妨改为comply with或conform to,因后者一般指行为或行为人符合某规定或要件,例如:

The Secretary may also require that a drawing of the mark,complyingwith such requirements as the Secretary may specify,accompany the application.

The Director may suspend or exclude from further practice before the Patent and Trademark Office any person,agent,or attorney shown to be incompetent or disreputable,or guilty of gross misconduct,or who does not complywith the regulations established under section 2(b)(2)(D)of this title;

而abide by一般用人作主语,即行为人遵守某法律(如law-abiding citizens)。

例3 省、自治区、直辖市制定严于强制性国家标准、行业标准的地方节能标准,由省、自治区、直辖市人民政府报经国务院批准;本法另有规定的除外。

译1:The local energy conservation standards formulated by provinces,autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government,which are more rigorous than the mandatory State or industrial standards shall be submitted to the State Council for approval by the people’s government thereof,unless otherwise provided for by this Law.

译2:If any province,autonomous region or municipality formulates local standards for energy conservation stricter than mandatory national and industrial standards,people’s government of such province,autonomous region or municipality shall submit the same to the State Council for approval,except for otherwise specified in this Law.

原文的假定结构并不明显,乃是由一个主谓宾结构的句子担任,但译文1并未将该条件句译为英语中的条件句,法律规范的逻辑结构未能体现出来,故译2更佳。

例4 第四十六条 企业法人终止,应当向登记机关办理注销登记并公告。

译1:Article 46.When an enterprise as legal person terminates,it shall cancel its registration with the registration authority and publicly announce the termination.(LAB)

译2:Article 46.Should a corporation terminate,it shall carry out procedures with the original registering body for cancellation of its registration and shall make a public announcement.(CCH)

译3:..When an enterprise juristic person is terminated,its registration should be cancelled with the registration agency and a public announcement made.(CLR)

译4:In the event of its termination,an enterprise-juristic person shall get itself deregistered and its termination announced.(陈忠诚)

画线处为主谓结构担任的假定,其与后面句子的动词并不存在主谓或动宾关系,故可采用“条件句+主句”结构。上述译文在结构上均可成立,只是逻辑关系有些混乱。不妨参照美国德州的有关立法[52]而改译如下:

If a corporation determines or is required to wind up,it shall apply to the registration authority to cancel/withdraw its registration and publicly announce the said cancellation or withdrawal.[53]

(三)对于句(对字句)的翻译

由于“对于句”引导的部分在句法上为受事,可考虑译为被动句,即将该受事作为受事主体,也可译为介词短语(for..;in respect to..等);也可如前面所述译为条件句。

例1 对农药、肥料、生长调节剂、兽药、饲料和饲料添加剂等的安全性评估,应当有食品安全风险评估专家委员会的专家参加。

“对”字句的施事并未出现,此时可将其视为一个名物化结构,即“农药的安全性评估”,从而可翻译如下:

译1:The safety assessment of pesticides,fertilizers,growth regulators,animal drugs,feed,feed additives,etc.,shall be attended by experts from the Expert Committee On Food Safety Risk Assessment.

也可将“对”字句处理为条件句,第二个分句为主句,即典型的“假定-行为”结构。

译2:In the event of safetyassessment of pesticides,fertilizers,growth regulators,animal drugs,feed,feed additives,etc.,experts from the Expert Committee On Food Safety Risk Assessment shall be present.

译3:When assessing the safety of pesticides,fertilizers,growth regulators,animal drugs,feed,feed additives,etc.,experts from the Expert Committee On Food Safety Risk Assessment shall be present.

例2 国家对落后的耗能过高的用能产品、设备和生产工艺实行淘汰制度。(《能源法》第十六条)

该句中的施事并未隐形,在逻辑结构上可理解为“国家…淘汰…产品、设备等”。因此在翻译时可不使用被动句,而译为由施事担任主语的“SVO”结构。试译:

The State implements a system of eliminating the outdated energy-consuming products,equipment and processes of excessively high energy consumption.

例3 对超过单位产品能耗限额标准用能的生产单位,由管理节能工作的部门按照国务院规定的权限责令限期治理。对高耗能的特种设备,按照国务院的规定实行节能审查和监管。

第一个“对”字句引导的部分作为“责令”的受事,可作主语而译为被动句,亦可由施事作主语而译为“SVO”主动结构;第二个“对字句”承前省略施事(管理部门),故可由介词短语引导作为假定结构,或者将该“对字句”作为受事而译为被动句。

译1:The manufacturers that use energy exceeding the standard of energy consumption limit on unit product shall be ordered to make corrections within the specified periods.//or:The departments in charge of administration of energy conservation work shall,to the extent of authority as specified by the State Council,order those manufacturers that use energy exceeding the standard of energy consumption limit on unit product to make corrections within the specified periods.

With respect to special equipment of high energy consumption,examination and supervision on energy conservation shall be conducted pursuant to regulations of the State Council.//or:Special equipment of high energy consumption shall be subject to examination and control for energy conservation as required by the State Council.

例4 对债务人的特定财产享有担保权的债权人,未放弃优先受偿权利的,对于本法第六十一条第一款第七项、第十项规定的事项不享有表决权。

本例中的“对”字句并不引导受事,而是与“的”字句合并作为句子的施事。试译:

Anycreditor who enjoys secured priority claim against the specific property of the debtor and has not waived the repayment priority,is not entitled to vote on any issues or matters as stipulated in Section 61(a)(7)and Section 61(a)(10)of this Law.

也可将“对”字句和与“的”字句共同视为一个条件而译为条件句。试译:

If an creditor enjoys secured priority claim against the specific property of the debtor and has not waived the repayment priority,he shall not enjoy the right to vote for any matter as stipulated in Section 61(a)(7)and Section 61(a)(10)of this Law.

(四)其他假定情形的英译

可适当地处理为由in case of,if..,where..,when..,for purpose of等引导的结构。

例1 第三十一条 县级以上质量监督、工商行政管理、食品药品监督管理部门应当依照《中华人民共和国行政许可法》的规定,审核申请人提交的本法第二十七条第一项至第四项规定要求的相关资料,必要时对申请人的生产经营场所进行现场核查。

“必要时”在句中做状语,可译为英语中的if necessary/when necessary均符合法律英语的表述规范。试译:

Article 31.The executive departments of health,agriculture,quality supervision,industry and commerce,and food and drug administration at the county level or above shall review applicants’documents as required by Article 27(1),(2),(3)and(4)of the Law in accordance with the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Administrative Licensing,and shall inspect the applicant’s production or trading place if necessary/when necessary.

例2 第三十六条 房地产开发企业在销售房屋时,应当向购买人明示所售房屋的节能措施、保温工程保修期等信息,在房屋买卖合同、质量保证书和使用说明书中载明,并对其真实性、准确性负责。

译1:Article 36When selling houses,real estate developers shall show clearly to the buyers,among other things,the energy conservation measures for the houses to be sold and the period of guarantee for the thermal insulation facilities,have such information clearly indicated in the real estate transaction contracts,the letters of guarantee for quality and the users’manuals,and be responsible for the authenticity and accuracyof such information.(中)

译2:Article 36When selling houses,real estate development enterprises shall demonstrate to buyers information on measures for energy conservation,term of warranty for warm-keeping projects,and shall state the same in House Purchase and Sale Contracts,Letter of Quality Guarantee and Users’Guide,and shall be responsible for the authenticity and accuracythereof.(美)

从整体结构而言,两个译法均可取,但译2中使用的demonstrate,term of warranty,the same以及thereof等正式词汇,更符合法律文体的要求,只是其中并列结构使用了两个“and shall”有违英语语法。

例3 食品生产经营应当符合食品安全标准,并符合下列要求:(1)食品生产经营人员应当保持个人卫生,生产经营食品时,应当将手洗净,穿戴清洁的工作衣、帽;销售无包装的直接入口食品时,应当使用无毒、清洁的售货工具;(……食品安全法27条)

译1:A food producer or business operator shall meet the food safety standards and satisfy the following requirements:(1)ensuring that the persons engaging the production or business operation of food shall keep personal hygiene,wash their hands clean and wear clean clothes and hats during the process of production or business operation,and that they use innocuous and clean vending devices when selling unpacked ready-to-eat food..(中)

译2:Any food production or trading activities shall comply with food safety standards and the following requirements:

(1)Food producers and traders shall maintain personal hygiene,clean their hands,and dress in clean clothing and cap;use sterilized and clean vending tools for direct consumption food without a package...(美)

译文2中,requirement后面的that从句作为同位结构,使意义更为连贯,故译2更佳。其他的例子可参照前面有关假定条件句英译汉部分的实例,在此就不赘述了。而对于法律汉语中的反义表述句的翻译,参见本书“行为模式部分”的相关内容。

六、解除条件句及其英汉互译

在古罗马时,所有法律行为都不能附条件,法律行为即时发生效力,亦采取相反方式消灭效力。以后允许遗嘱、要物契约可附停止条件,但不能附加解除条件,如有附加视为未附加。到罗马共和末期产生解除条件,用于对抗债权人违约行为;对要式买卖、债务免除、婚姻、收养、认领、继承等,不得附加条件。至近现代,法国、德国、意大利等国民法典均明确规定了解除条件。具体而言,“解除条件句”(A condition subsequent)指:

..a condition that if performed or existing will excuse performance by another.The term is used in contract law to excuse a party from performing upon the nonoccurrence or existence of the condition.A condition subsequent is an act or event,not certain to occur,which if it occurs discharges a duty of performance which has already arisen.It refers to a future event,upon the happening of which the obligation becomes no longer binding upon the other party if that party chooses to apply that condition.It is opposed to a condition precedent,which is a condition which is to be performed before some right dependent thereon accrues or some act dependent thereon is performed.Condition subsequent refers to an event or state of affairs that brings an end to something else.A condition subsequent is often used in a legal context as a marker bringing an end to one’s legal rights or duties.[54]Common uses include language such as“may”,“but if”,“however”,or“provided that..”In comparison,a condition subsequent brings a duty to an end whereas a condition precedent initiates a duty.[55]

即,解除条件与停止条件不同的是,前者表示在条件成就时,履行义务得以解除,而后者表示该条件的成就为产生义务的前提。

在英美规定性法律文本中,通常表现为由“Unless/Except/save”(otherwise agreed/stated/provided/stipulated/allowed/specified)[56],other than,以及其他一些引导但书(proviso)的句型(如provided for,provided that)等结构。例如:

Except as expressly excluded in subsections(a),(b),(c),(d),(e)(3),and(e)(5)of this section,nothing in this chapter shall prevent the registration of a mark used by the applicant which has become distinctive of the applicant’s goods in commerce.

A mortgagee who exercises a power to sell mortgaged property must not become the purchaser of the mortgaged property except,—

(a)in accordance with section 166,at a sale of land or goods through the Registrar;or

(b)in accordance with an order of a court made under section 168.

在上例中,except引导的结构乃是主句的规定不再适用的前提条件。根据《现代汉语词典》的解释,[57]“但书”是法律条文中“但”或“但是”以下的部分,指明本条文的例外或限制。在法律汉语中,表示解除条件的“但书”包括“除……外”、“……除外”、“但是,……除外”、“但是,……不在此限”[58]等结构。例如:

“省、自治区、直辖市制定严于强制性国家标准、行业标准的地方节能标准,由省、自治区、直辖市人民政府报经国务院批准;本法另有规定的除外。”(《能源法》第十三条)

“食品检验机构按照国家有关认证认可的规定取得资质认定后,方可从事食品检验活动。但是,法律另有规定的除外”。(《食品安全法》第五十七条)

对英汉法律规范中解除条件句的位置进行对比分析后发现,法律英语中由“unless/except/save otherwise..”引导的结构可置于主句前面或后面,位置比较灵活;由provided that引导的结构则比较特殊:如果位于主句前,常引导停止条件;若位于主句后,则常引导但书。而法律汉语中,“除……外”常用于主句前,而“……除外”和“但是,……除外”等但书形式却常用于句末。因此,在翻译中应注意汉英语言各自的表达习惯。

(一)法律英语中的解除条件句的汉译

“unless/except/save otherwise..”和“provided that”等表示解除条件的结构可译为汉语的“除……外”或“但……除外”[59],但须考虑这类结构在汉语中的位置。

例1 In this Ordinance,unless the context otherwise requires,“business”includes every trade,occupation,or profession.

译1:根据本条例/在本条例中,除文意另有所指外,“业务”包括所有的行业、职业和专业。

译2:根据本条例/在本条例中,“业务”包括所有的行业、职业和专业,但文意另有所指的除外。

例2 Where an application is made under this rule-

(a)notice of the application must be given to the party for whom the solicitor is acting,unless the court directs otherwise;(b)..

本例也可如例1一样译为“除……外”而放在主句前,也可以译为“但书”而置于主句后。

例3 Save as is provided in this Ordinance,no claim within the jurisdiction of the Board shall be actionable in any court.

在普通英语中,save是一个及物动词,但在法律英语中却常用作介词,相当于except(for)。从词源而言,save源语法语,系法国人曾长期统治英国的产物,常译为“除……外”,其后面可跟一个名词短语,也可以跟一个从句或另一个介词短语,其常用句型save as(is)provided/stipulated。由于except,except for,unless等更为常见,故常用except as(is)provided/stipulated和unless otherwise provided/stipulated来代替“save as(is)provided/stipulated”。

译1:除本条例另有规定,凡属仲裁处司法管辖权范围内的申索,不得在任何法庭进行诉讼。

译2:凡属仲裁处司法管辖权范围内的申索,不得在任何法庭进行诉讼,但本条例另有规定的除外。

例4 Provided always that,where the Engineer has certified and the Employer has paid direct as aforesaid,the Engineer shall in issuing any further certificate in favor of the Contractor deduct from the amount thereof the amount so paid,direct as aforesaid.

用于句首时,provided(always)that..常表达一个“例外、限制或附加条件”,意思是on the condition that;only if;so long as;providing(that);as long as;if;but;however等。试译:

工程师已出具证书且业主已直接作出上述支付时,工程师向承包人出具任何其他证书时应扣除业主直接支付的上述款项。

当用于主句后面时,provided that;provided however that这类程式化表述常引导但书(Provisos),一般用逗号或冒号将其与主句隔开,可译为“但是……”。例如:

Every one who by words spoken or written or by conduct,represents himself as a partner in a particular firm is liable as a partner to any one who had,on the faith of any such representation,given credit to the firm:Provided that where,after a partner’s death,the partnership business is continued in the old firm-name,the continued use of that name or of the deceased partner’s name as part thereof shall not of itself make his executors’or administrators’estate or effects,liable for ay partnership debts contracted after his death.

试译:以口头、书面或行为表明自己为某合伙企业的合伙人的,应对善意相信其意思表示而向合伙企业提供贷款者承担责任,但是,某合伙人死亡后,合伙企业仍以原企业名称开展业务的,继续使用原企业名称,或继续使用包含已故合伙人姓名的企业名称,并不使已故合伙人的遗产执行人或管理人对该合伙人死亡后缔结的合同承担责任。

再如:Any fee or charge made payable by or under any Ordinance to the Crown or the government or to any public body other than the Urban Council or the Regional Council or public officer,not being a fee or charge which is regulated by rules of court may be reduced or varied by order of the Governor:Provided that no variation thereof shall cause such fee or charge to exceed the original figure.

对于条例规定须向官方或政府结构、公共机构(市政局及区域市政局除外)或公职人员缴付的、且不属于法院规则所规定的费用,总督可下令予以减少或更改:但任何更改不得使该项费用高于原来数目。此外,当provided用做动词短语时,其意思是“规定”。例如:

Section 111(1)provided that a local authority should have power to do anything..which is calculated to facilitate,or is conducive or incidental to,the discharge of any of their functions.

可将provided that从句视为provide引导的宾语从句,译为“规定”,全句可译为:第111条第1款规定,地方当局有权采取一切措施……履行其职责。

例5 The United States Patent and Trademark Office shall be deemed,for purposes of venue in civil actions,to be a resident of the district in which its principal office is located,except where jurisdiction is otherwise provided bylaw.

An application for patent shall be made,or authorized to be made,by the inventor,except as otherwise provided in this title,in writing to the Director.

上述两个画线部分也是常见的解除条件句。可分别译为“但法律对管辖权另有规定的除外”和“除本编另有规定外”。

例6 No award made under this section shall be assignable or transferable or liable to be attached,sequestered or levied upon for or in respect of anydebt or claim whatsoever other than a debt due to the Government.

试译:根据本条所给付的补偿金,不得转让他人,亦不得因任何债务或索赔而予以扣押、暂押或查押,但欠政府的债务不在此限/但欠政府的债务除外。

例7 Unless the contractor’s Representative is named in the Contract,the Contractor shall prior to the Commencement Date,submit to the Engineer for consent the name and particulars of the person the Contractor proposes to appoint as Contractor’s Representative.

译1:合同中没有写明承包商代表姓名的,承包商应当在开工日期前,将其建议任命为承包商代表的人员姓名和详细资料提交工程师同意。

译2:承包商应当在开工日期前,将其建议任命为承包商代表之人员姓名和详细资料提交工程师同意,但合同中写明了承包商代表姓名的除外。

由于unless常译为“除……外”而具有否定意义,故而有人将其译为否定式的停止条件句(如译1)。尽管两个译法在意思上相似,但具有不同的法律后果:译1的举证责任由合同制定者承担;而译2的举证责任由承包商承担。因此,不妨还是采用法律汉语中典型解除结构而改译如下:

承包商应于开工日期前将其拟指定之代理人的姓名和详细资料提交工程师以征得其同意,但合同中列承包商代理人姓名的除外。//除承包商代理人的姓名于合同中列明外,承包商应于开工日期前将其拟指定之代理人的姓名和详细资料提交工程师以征得其同意。

(二)法律汉语中的解除条件句的英译

如前所述,法律汉语中的解除条件句可表述为“除……外;(但)……除外”,“但是……”等,法条里罕见“除非……”这一表述。在翻译时可译为上述的英语中的解除条件句。

例1 食品安全标准是强制执行的标准。除食品安全标准外,不得制定其他的食品强制性标准。(《食品安全法》第十九条)

试译:Food safety standards are mandatory.Except for the food safety standards,no other mandatory standards for food shall be developed.

例2 除本法第二百五十五条的规定外,保险标的发生全损,保险人支付全部保险金额的,取得对保险标的的全部权利;但是,在不足额保险的情况下,保险人按照保险金额与保险价值的比例取得对保险标的的部分权利。

试译:Except as stipulated in Article 255of this Act,where a total loss occurs to the subject matter insured and the full insured amount is paid,the insurer shall acquire the full right to the subject matter insured.In the case of under-insurance,the insurer shall acquire the right to the subject matter insured in the proportion that the insured amount bears to the insured value.

例3 根据第(1)款发出的通知书,除其中另有规定外,适用于通知书中所指的财产收入。

试译:A notice under subsection(1)shall,unless it otherwise provides/unless otherwise provided(or stipulated)herein,apply to the income from any property specified therein as it applies to the property itself.

例4 公司成员人数不超过五十人(不包括公司雇用的人士,亦不包括先前受公司雇用并且在雇用期间为公司成员以及雇用终止之后仍为公司成员的人士),但是两人或两人以上联名持有公司的一份或多份股份的,视为本款所述的一个成员。

试译:The number of members of the company(exclusive of persons who are in the employment of the company and of persons who having been formerly in the employment of the company were while in such employment and have continued after the determination of such employment to be members of the company)is limited to 50.Provided that where 2or more persons hold one or more shares in the company jointly,they shall for the purpose of this regulation be treated as a single member.

例5 省、自治区、直辖市制定严于强制性国家标准、行业标准的地方节能标准,由省、自治区、直辖市人民政府报经国务院批准;本法另有规定的除外。

试译:If any province,autonomous region or municipality formulates local standards for energy conservation stricter than mandatory national and industrial standards,people’s government of such province,autonomous region or municipality shall submit the same to the State Council for approval,except for otherwise specified in this Law/unless otherwise provided for bythis Law.

例6 食品检验机构按照国家有关认证认可的规定取得资质认定后,方可从事食品检验活动。但是,法律另有规定的除外。

译1:Food testing agencies shall not perform food testing only unless they have been accredited in accordance with relevant State requirements on certification and accreditation,unless otherwise specified bylaw.

译2:Unless otherwise specified by law,no food testing agencies may perform food testing unless they have been accredited in accordance with relevant State requirements on certification and accreditation.

译3:Food testing agencies shall perform food testing only after they have been accredited in accordance with relevant State requirements on certification and accreditation,unless otherwise specified bylaw.

免责声明:以上内容源自网络,版权归原作者所有,如有侵犯您的原创版权请告知,我们将尽快删除相关内容。

我要反馈