.

合同法律文件翻譯談—談《中華人民共和國(guó)合同法》的部分譯文  

作者：傅偉良

(北京第二外國(guó)語(yǔ)學(xué)院 英語(yǔ)系 100024)

摘 要：隨著我國(guó)加入世貿(mào)組織，對(duì)法律文件翻譯的研究，比如經(jīng)濟(jì)法規(guī)、合同文件的翻譯研究，將成為我們翻譯工作者的一個(gè)重要課題。本文在總結(jié)以往的經(jīng)驗(yàn)基礎(chǔ)上，探討了翻譯法律文件，應(yīng)注意的語(yǔ)言特點(diǎn)。本文還對(duì)合同法中譯英的不同譯法作了較詳細(xì)的解評(píng)，提出了法律文件中譯英的一些實(shí)用的翻譯技巧。

關(guān)鍵詞：法律文件；專業(yè)詞匯；句子結(jié)構(gòu)

Talk on Translation of Legal Documents and Contract Documents ----

Commenting on Parts of English Version of the translation of the Contract Law of People’s Republic of China

Fu Weiliang

(English Department, Beijing Second Foreign Language Institute, Beijing 100024)

Abstract: After China’s entry into WTO, the study of translation of legal documents, such as the translation of economic laws, regulations and rules, and contract documents, will surely become a important research topic for translators. This article discusses sufficiently, on the basis of past experience, some language characteristics in the translation of legal documents, which shall be paid attention to. The article also provides detailed comments on the different English versions of translating the Contract Law to show some practical skills of translation of legal documents.

Key words: legal documents; legal terminology; language structure;

改革開放的深化，世貿(mào)組織的加入，中國(guó)在國(guó)際經(jīng)濟(jì)活動(dòng)中越來(lái)越活躍，生意越做越大，交往愈加頻繁，國(guó)際間的一切經(jīng)濟(jì)活動(dòng)都離不開互相依賴、互相制約的合同，都離不開法律條文的監(jiān)管。因此翻譯合同等法律文件已成為當(dāng)前研究的一門課題，筆者在這方面的研究已逾十多年，想就法律文件的翻譯談些心得。

一． 翻譯合同法的用詞特點(diǎn)

合同法的語(yǔ)言，自成體系，具有自己個(gè)性與特點(diǎn)，語(yǔ)言要求準(zhǔn)確、正規(guī)、鮮明，有自身一套用詞路數(shù)及專業(yè)用語(yǔ)，使行文簡(jiǎn)潔明確。

1．以here, where作前綴與另一個(gè)詞構(gòu)成一個(gè)正式法律詞匯中的專業(yè)副詞術(shù)語(yǔ)如：hereafter, hereby, herein, hereinafter, hereinbefore, hereof, hereto, hereunder, hereupon, herewith, thereafter, thereby, therefrom, therein, thereinafter, thereinbefore, thereon, thereof, thereupon, therewith;

whereas, whereby, wherein, whereon, etc.

在法律文件中用這些詞、可以避免重復(fù)，使行文準(zhǔn)確、簡(jiǎn)潔、不會(huì)產(chǎn)生歧義，從而維護(hù)了法律的權(quán)威性，因些 在把中文的合同法條款譯成英文時(shí)，要學(xué)會(huì)運(yùn)用這些詞，使譯文具有法律文件的水平。下面從《中華人民共和國(guó)合同法》，以下簡(jiǎn)稱《合同法》，的譯文中舉出一些具體的實(shí)例（譯文①與譯文②進(jìn)行對(duì)照評(píng)解）來(lái)說(shuō)明如何在譯文中使用這些詞（注：譯文②為筆者所譯）。

第五條 當(dāng)事人應(yīng)當(dāng)遵循公平原則確定各方的權(quán)利和義務(wù)。

譯文①：Parties shall adhere to the principle of fairness in designating each party’s rights and obligations.

評(píng)：
★ 法律條文中很少有party’s這種所有格形式來(lái)表示。
★ each party所指是誰(shuí)而且條文一開始的parties 也不明確。

可改為：
譯文②：The parties to the contract shall comply with the principle of fairness in defining the rights and obligations of the parties thereto.

評(píng)：
★ 譯文中的thereto限制了parties，指的是the parties to the contract, 也就是用一個(gè)thereto代替了文中的3個(gè)“to the contract,”使行文簡(jiǎn)潔、明了、準(zhǔn)確。
★ 譯文②中的用詞defining 比譯文①中的designating確切。Define = to determine or identify the essential qualities; to fix or mark the limits ofsth; to make distinct; clear or detailed 之意，designate:to point out the location, to indicate and set apart for a specific purpose. 不如define在表達(dá)“確定”的內(nèi)在含義上更貼切。

第六條 當(dāng)事人行使權(quán)利、履行義務(wù)應(yīng)當(dāng)遵循誠(chéng)實(shí)信用的原則。
譯文①: Parties shall adhere to the principle of honesty and trust worthiness in exercising their rights and performing their obligations.

評(píng)：
★譯文中兩次用their，這種情況在法律語(yǔ)言中是極少的，法律語(yǔ)言中避免用不確定的代詞。所以應(yīng)該刪去their, 以thereof來(lái)限定為合同規(guī)定的權(quán)利和義務(wù)。修改見譯文②。
譯文②：The parties to the contract shall, in accordance with the principle of good faith, execute the rights and perform the obligations thereof.

評(píng)：
★thereof 代替of the contract，使意思表達(dá)明確。又如，要表達(dá)前文提及過(guò)的合同的“合同條件、條款”時(shí)，可以譯為“the terms, conditions and provisions thereof” 。

第61條 合同生效后，當(dāng)事人就質(zhì)量、價(jià)款或者報(bào)酬、履行地點(diǎn)等內(nèi)容沒(méi)有約定或者約定不明確的，可以協(xié)議補(bǔ)充；…….
譯文①：After a contract goes into effect, the parties may reach a supplementary agreement on items that have not been included or are not explicitly stipulated in the contract, such as quality, price or remuneration, place for performance and other matters;…….

評(píng)：
★ a supplementary agreement：意思不明…….that have not been included雖是限制性定語(yǔ)從句，仍末說(shuō)明包含在什么之中？
★ Such as 又顯得無(wú)處著落，句子結(jié)構(gòu)不嚴(yán)密。英文的含義與原文出入很大。
譯文②: If, after the contract made by and between the parties becomes effective, there is no agreement therein on the terms and provisions regarding quality, price or remuneration and place of performance, etc. or such agreement is unclear, the parties may, through consultation, agree upon supplementary terms and provisions;

評(píng)：
★ 譯文②把中文條款進(jìn)行“語(yǔ)內(nèi)譯”， 會(huì)發(fā)現(xiàn)中文條款暗含個(gè)條件句，即，如果…..可以……所以用if條件比用譯文①中的that定語(yǔ)從句要明確得多。
★ 用agreement therein把a(bǔ)greement說(shuō)得非常清楚，指agreement in the contract.
★ therein: in that; in that particular context; in that respect之意，表示在上文已提及的, 比如表示“合同（中）的…….，工程（中）的……”時(shí)，可以用此詞。又如，表示“修補(bǔ)工程中的缺陷”可以譯為“the remedying of any defects therein”, 此中的therein即 “in the Works”，又如“用于工程中的材料或機(jī)械設(shè)備”可譯為“materials or plant for incorporation therein” 此時(shí)的therein乃是 “in the Works”。本條款中的therein指的是“in the contract made by and between…..”
第96條 ……. 對(duì)方有異議的，可以請(qǐng)求人民法院或者仲裁機(jī)構(gòu)確認(rèn)解除合同的效力。
法律、行政法規(guī)規(guī)定解除合同應(yīng)當(dāng)辦理批準(zhǔn)、登記等手續(xù)的，依照其規(guī)定。
譯文①：…… If the other party has objections, it may request a people’s court or an arbitration organization to confirm the rescission.

If the rescission of a contract is required to go through approval and registration procedures according to the provisions of laws or administrative regulations, the relevant party shall act accordingly.

評(píng)：
★ the other party has objections 反對(duì)的對(duì)象不清楚，后面應(yīng)該加thereto,即objection to the fact that the contract shall be rescinded（在上文中）這回事。

★ it may request……，合同法律文件中很少用代詞it來(lái)代表某一方，應(yīng)該用the party in question 來(lái)限定，使之不發(fā)生歧義或誤解。In question: under consideration; being talked about，此詞組表示“在考慮中或在議論中”的某事或某問(wèn)題，有強(qiáng)調(diào)限制作用，可譯為“這”“該”如“該工程”可譯為“the Works in question” 常用于合同法律文件中。
★ a people’s court不合適，人民法院已成為專有名詞，the people’s court。
★ to confirm the rescission 欠譯�？筛臑閠o confirm the rescission of the contract.
★ if the rescission of a contract is required…….中的If表示如果，假設(shè)的情況。中文的含義是比較確定的，不宜用if.
★ The relevant party 所指是誰(shuí)？不明確。原文就沒(méi)有執(zhí)行的主語(yǔ)，最好用被動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài)來(lái)處理。
★ act accordingly 語(yǔ)言欠正規(guī)、確切。
譯文②：……If the other party disagrees therewith, the party in question may request the people’s court or an arbitration institution to confirm rescission of the effectiveness of the contract.

Where the laws or administrative regulations specify that the rescission of a contract shall go through the formalities of approval and registration, the provisions thereof shall be complied with.

評(píng)：
★ therewith: with that 與此，與之。即disagrees with the fact that the contract shall be rescinded.
★ Where: 比If肯定，表示處在某種情況下，環(huán)境中，法律中常用。
★ thereof 在前面已談到，指provisions of the laws or administrative regulations, 用此詞組比譯文①簡(jiǎn)潔、鮮明。
★ shall be complied with 正規(guī)的法律語(yǔ)言。
第377條 保管期間屆滿或者寄存人提前領(lǐng)取保管物的，保管人應(yīng)當(dāng)將原物及其孳息歸還寄存人。
譯文①：If the safekeeping duration expires or the depositor wants to obtain the deposited goods, the safekeeping party shall return the original goods and their interest to the depositor.

評(píng)：
★ wants to obtain…..與原文意思有出入，“提前”未譯，“領(lǐng)取”之意也末譯出。
★ goods指貨物，原文中是保管物，未指明是貨物，有出入。
★ and there interest: there 所指不明（法律文件中少用）。Interest來(lái)自何處不清�！版堋钡脑~義未譯出。
譯文②：If the safekeeping duration expires or the depositor claims and retrieves the article before the expiry date, the safekeeping party shall return to the depositor the original article and the interest generated therefrom.

評(píng)：
★ claims and retrieves：系同義詞連用，取兩個(gè)字的相同的詞義，因?yàn)?claim除了索取，取回外，還有索賠之意，retrieves除有領(lǐng)取、領(lǐng)回外還有失了復(fù)得，找回，檢回之意，兩個(gè)連用，只取兩詞義相同的部分：即取回，領(lǐng)取，這樣避免產(chǎn)生歧義。
★ article 比goods 準(zhǔn)確，貼切。
★ therefrom就很好的監(jiān)管了interest這個(gè)詞，把孳息的來(lái)源說(shuō)清楚了，即from the article.
★ generated這個(gè)詞很好地表達(dá)了孳息，即息生息，不斷滾動(dòng)的利息。
第396條 委托合同是委托人和受托人約定，由受托人處理委托人事務(wù)的合同。
譯文①：A commission contract is a contract between the commissioning party and the commissioned party, under which the commissioned party handles businesses for the commissioning party.

評(píng)：
★ businesses:復(fù)數(shù)形式只作買賣、店鋪、商號(hào)解。作事務(wù)、職責(zé)、任務(wù)解是不可數(shù)的，所以應(yīng)用business.
★ under which…… which所指何物？不清楚，容易產(chǎn)生歧意、產(chǎn)生誤解
★ business 很少與for短語(yǔ)連用
譯文②：A commission contract refers to a contract between the commissioning party and the commissioned party whereby the commissioned party shall handle the business of the commissioning party.

評(píng)；
★ 對(duì)原中文條款進(jìn)行“語(yǔ)內(nèi)譯”可以理順中文的條款的內(nèi)含，即委托人和受托人簽訂的是委托合同，憑借這個(gè)合同，委托人的事務(wù)由受托人處理。這樣用whereby就可以簡(jiǎn)便而準(zhǔn)確地把句子的前后部分連接在一起。
★ whereby: by the agreement; by the contract; by the following terms and conditions etc. 憑此協(xié)議，憑此條款等等，此詞常用于合同協(xié)議書中，引出合同當(dāng)事人應(yīng)承擔(dān)的主要合同義務(wù)。

為了加深對(duì)這些詞的認(rèn)識(shí)，再?gòu)腇IDIC條款中選擇幾句英文原文作英譯中練習(xí)�？膳c中譯英作一對(duì)照。

例1：
We hereby certify to the best of our knowledge that the foregoing statement is true and correct and all available information and data have been supplied herein, and that we agree to provide documentary proof upon your request.

文中：
★ hereby: by means of, by reason of this,特此，因此，茲等意，常用于法律文件、合同、協(xié)議書等正式文件的開頭語(yǔ)；在條款中需要強(qiáng)調(diào)時(shí)也可以用。上文中hereby:特此之意。
★ 另有些專業(yè)用語(yǔ)也一并作些解釋。如：to the best of our knowledge: as far as we know。
★ foregoing statement: above-mentioned statement 上述聲明。
★ herein 這也是法律文件中常用的字：in this, in the statement。
★ documentary proof:證明文件。
參考譯文：茲證明，據(jù)我們所知，上述聲明內(nèi)容真實(shí)，正確無(wú)誤，并提供了全部現(xiàn)有的資料和數(shù)據(jù)，因此我們同意應(yīng)貴方要求出具證明文件。

例2：
This Law is hereby formulated and prepared in order to develop the foreign trade, maintain the foreign trade order and promote the healthy development of the socialist market economy.

Foreign trade mentioned herein shall cover the import and export of goods, technology and the international trade in services.

文中：
★ This Law is hereby formulated and prepared: 意為“茲制定本法….. ”
★ maintain the foreign trade order維護(hù)對(duì)外貿(mào)易秩序
★ promote the healthy development of the socialist market economy促進(jìn)社會(huì)主義市場(chǎng)經(jīng)濟(jì)的健康發(fā)展
★ Foreign trade mentioned herein本法所稱對(duì)外貿(mào)易
★ herein: 作in this Law解
★ the international trade in services國(guó)際服務(wù)貿(mào)易

參考譯文：
為了發(fā)展對(duì)外貿(mào)易，維護(hù)對(duì)外貿(mào)易秩序，促進(jìn)社會(huì)主義市場(chǎng)經(jīng)濟(jì)的健康發(fā)展，茲制訂本法。
本法所稱對(duì)外貿(mào)易，是指貨物進(jìn)出口、技術(shù)進(jìn)出口和國(guó)際服務(wù)貿(mào)易。

例3：
A sales contract refers to a contract whereby the seller transfers the ownership of an object to the buyer and the buyer pays the price for the object.

文中：
★ sale contract:買賣合同
★ the seller:出賣人, 注: seller在法律中稱為出賣人，在合同中稱為賣方；同樣Buyer在法律中稱為買受人，而在合同中稱為買方。
★ object: 標(biāo)的物，即買賣合同中出售的貨物。

譯文譯文：
買賣合同是出賣人轉(zhuǎn)讓標(biāo)的物的所有權(quán)于買受人，買受人支付價(jià)款的合同。

2．關(guān)于shall的用法

在合同等法律文件中，表示強(qiáng)制性承擔(dān)責(zé)任、履行義務(wù)，即中文中常用的“應(yīng)該”，“必須”等字眼時(shí)，翻譯時(shí)應(yīng)該用shall，而不能用“must” 或 “should”.有時(shí)可以用will，但力度不如 shall強(qiáng)。

Should在法律文件中往往取代if，放在句首，表示“如果”之意。舉一兩個(gè)例子說(shuō)明：

例1：
This company shall be a Chinese legal person. All activities hereof shall be governed and protected by the Laws and relevant rules and regulations of People’s Republic of China.

文中：
★ Legal person:法人
★ All activities hereof：All activities of this company公司的一切活動(dòng)
參考譯文：
本公司應(yīng)為中國(guó)法人。公司的一切活動(dòng)應(yīng)受中華人民共和國(guó)法律和法規(guī)的管轄和保護(hù)。

例2：
All disputes arising from the performance of this contract shall, through amicable negotiations, be settled by the Parties hereto. Should, through negotiations, no settlement be reached, the case in question shall then be submitted for arbitration to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, Beijing and the arbitration rules of this Commission shall be applied.

文中：
★ 3個(gè)shall都表示應(yīng)履行的責(zé)任。
★ Should引導(dǎo)假設(shè)條件句，代替if，倒裝句型。
★ amicable negotiation：友好協(xié)商。
★ the performance of this Contract 履行本合同。
★ the Parties hereto: the Parties to this Contract 本合同雙方。
★ shall then be submitted for arbitration 然后應(yīng)提交仲裁。
★ the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, Beijing: 中國(guó)國(guó)際經(jīng)濟(jì)貿(mào)易仲裁委員會(huì)（北京）
參考譯文：
對(duì)于因履行本合同所發(fā)生的一切爭(zhēng)議，本合同雙方應(yīng)友好協(xié)商解決。如協(xié)商仍無(wú)法解決爭(zhēng)議，則將爭(zhēng)議提交中國(guó)國(guó)際經(jīng)濟(jì)貿(mào)易仲裁委員會(huì)（北京），依據(jù)仲裁規(guī)則仲裁。

3．用詞的專業(yè)性

對(duì)外經(jīng)濟(jì)合同等法律性文件要求使用書面的正規(guī)用語(yǔ)，以維護(hù)法律文件的尊嚴(yán)及權(quán)威性。常用的專業(yè)詞匯有：in accordance with, unless otherwise, provided that, be deemed to, in question, in case, be liable for, be liable to, in respect of, in the event that, in (the) case ,etc. 此外還常用些大詞，法律正式用詞等等。中文條款譯成英文條款時(shí)，不運(yùn)用或不會(huì)運(yùn)用專業(yè)詞匯，譯文就顯不出其法律的權(quán)威性，只能算作普通譯文，不能稱作法律條文，也就是說(shuō)失去了法律條文的風(fēng)格。下面仍以評(píng)解的方法予以闡述：

第4條 當(dāng)事人依法享有自愿訂立合同的權(quán)利，任何單位和個(gè)人不得非法干預(yù)。
譯文①：Parties shall enjoy the right to sign contracts on their own according to law, and no unit or individual shall interfere illegally unless legally authorized to do so.

評(píng)：
★ enjoy: to have for one’s use, benefit, to take pleasure 之意帶有感情色彩，非正式用詞。
★ to sign contracts; sign: to place a sign to, to engage or hire 簽字，簽名。這是按照中文“簽合同”譯來(lái)的。簽訂合同的動(dòng)詞可以單獨(dú)用conclude or enter into ( a contract ),或者由下列幾個(gè)動(dòng)詞的任意兩個(gè)的組合，即同義詞連用：sign, conclude, make, enter into (a contract ), 單獨(dú)用sign contract是不能表達(dá)簽訂合同之意。
★ unless legally authorized to do so: 屬于加意，原文并無(wú)此意。
★ according to: 非法律用語(yǔ)，應(yīng)該正式用語(yǔ)in accordance with
譯文②：The parties shall, in accordance with the law, have the right to voluntarily conclude and enter into a contract. No unit or individual shall illegally interfere.

評(píng)：
★ 譯文②避免了譯文①中的問(wèn)題。
第8條 依法成立的合同，對(duì)當(dāng)事人具有法律約束力。當(dāng)事人應(yīng)當(dāng)按照約定履行自己的義務(wù)，不得擅自變更或者解除合同。
依法成立的合同，受法律保護(hù)。

譯文①： A contract concluded according to law shall be legally binding on the parties concerned. The parties shall perform the obligations stipulated in the contract. No party may unilaterally modify or rescind the contract. 

Contracts concluded legally are protected by law. 

評(píng)： 
★ according to law: 非法律用語(yǔ)， law應(yīng)加定冠詞，依法成立的，這個(gè)法不是任何法，而是相關(guān)的法律。 
★ The parties：是指簽訂合同的雙方，所以應(yīng)有所交待，有所限制，可用thereto限定，即：parties to the contract 
★ “應(yīng)當(dāng)按照約定”要進(jìn)行“語(yǔ)內(nèi)譯”即按照所制定的合同的條款條件、規(guī)定的內(nèi)容履行義務(wù)，而不是約定這個(gè)動(dòng)作，行為。譯文中用stipulated 分詞來(lái)修飾contract， 不是法律正式用詞。即使表示“約定”行為也應(yīng)該用provide, specify等字。 
★ No party may……應(yīng)該用neither party,指合同雙方的任何一方，而不是泛指某一個(gè)參予者。 
★ 譯文中漏譯“自己的”義務(wù)，“自己的”，經(jīng)“語(yǔ)內(nèi)譯”應(yīng)理解為“各自的”， 

contracts concluded legally are protected by law.這句譯文中的contracts應(yīng)有定冠詞限定。 用legally來(lái)表明是依法成立的合同，使句子含糊不清，因?yàn)檫@個(gè)副詞既可以認(rèn)為是用來(lái)修飾concluded，也可以被誤認(rèn)為是用來(lái)修飾are protected最好排除發(fā)生歧義的可能性。 

譯文②：If, in accordance with the law, a contract is made and concluded, the contract in question shall legally be binding on the parties thereto. The parties thereto shall, in accordance with the terms, conditions and provisions of the contract, perform their respective obligations. Neither party shall unilaterally modify or rescind the contract. 

The contract concluded and entered into under the law shall be protected by the law. 

評(píng)： 
★ 以if從句譯出暗含的條件從句，處理句子結(jié)構(gòu)清晰。 
★ 用made and concluded同義詞連用，使contract鮮明 
★ 以in question 和thereto作明確限定，不會(huì)產(chǎn)生歧義或爭(zhēng)端 
★ 以respective明確各自的責(zé)任 
★ 以u(píng)nder the law短語(yǔ)表明按照法律，十分明確，under在法律條款里是正規(guī)用字，有根據(jù)，按照，依照之意。 
第14條 要約是希望和他人訂立合同的意思表示，該意思表示應(yīng)當(dāng)符合下列規(guī)定： 

一． 內(nèi)容具體確定； 
二．表明經(jīng)受要約人承諾，要約人即受該意思表示約束。 

譯文①：Here offer means that one party expresses its wish to enter into a contract with the other party, and the wish expressed should include the following provisions: 
(1) The concrete contents are designated; and 
(2) Once the offeree accepts the offer, the offerer shall be bound by the offer. 

評(píng)： 
★ 法律條文中盡量避免用代詞，第一句中one party…its 都不恰當(dāng)，不明確，最好想法避免。 
★ here offer means……的句式非法律語(yǔ)言 
★ wish 只是心中的愿望，與中文的“意思表示”尚有差 異“the wish expressed” 譯為該意思表示也不確切。 
★ should為非正式用語(yǔ)，應(yīng)改為shall。 
★ include是包含，包括在內(nèi)之意，而不是符合某種規(guī)定之意，中文的“符合下列規(guī)定”的內(nèi)語(yǔ)譯應(yīng)是“遵守、遵循下列規(guī)定”之意，而不是包含之意。 
★ The concrete contents 只譯出了中文的字面意思，所謂“內(nèi)容具體確定”，經(jīng)過(guò)語(yǔ)內(nèi)譯應(yīng)理解為內(nèi)容詳細(xì)、全面、明確，受要約人通過(guò)要約不但明白要約人的真實(shí)意愿，而且還知道可能所要訂立的合同的一些主要條款。這里的“確定”講的是要約內(nèi)容確定，而不是動(dòng)作概念，所以譯成“具體的內(nèi)容被確定”與條款不符。 
★ Once不如in case 正式 
譯文②：An offer refers to a proposal to make and enter into a contract with other parties. The proposal in question shall comply with the following provisions: 
(1) The contents thereof shall be detailed and definite; 
(2) The proposal in question shall indicate that the offeror shall be bound by the offer in question in case the offer is accepted by the offeree thereto. 

評(píng)： 
★譯文②用字明確，結(jié)構(gòu)清楚，避免發(fā)生歧義。 
第15條 要約邀請(qǐng)是希望他人向自己發(fā)出要約的意思表示。寄送的價(jià)目表、拍賣公告、招標(biāo)公告、控股說(shuō)明書、商業(yè)廣告等為要約邀請(qǐng)。 
商業(yè)廣告的內(nèi)容符合要約規(guī)定的，視為要約。 

注：要約邀請(qǐng)又稱為要約引誘，是希望他人向自己發(fā)出要約的表示，是當(dāng)事人訂立合同的予備行為，行為人在法律上不承擔(dān)責(zé)任。 
譯文①：An offer invitation means that one party invites other parties to issue offers to it. An offer invitation includes, mailed or delivered by other means, price lists, auction announcements, tendering notices, the directions for raising capital by floating shares and commercial advertisements. 

Commercial advertisements whose content are in conformity with the provisions of offers shall be regarded as offers. 

評(píng)： 
★ one party在法律語(yǔ)言中不適用，要盡量避免用。 
★ 用動(dòng)詞invite動(dòng)作概念太強(qiáng)，產(chǎn)生一方要請(qǐng)另一方來(lái)發(fā)出要約的歧義。 
★ to issue offers to it, issue有發(fā)表,公布之意,易產(chǎn)生歧義,而且it意思不明確. 
★ An offer invitation includes……, 讓人認(rèn)為一份要約包括下列那些內(nèi)容,這就錯(cuò)了.原文意思是(進(jìn)行語(yǔ)內(nèi)譯的話)……的內(nèi)容都稱為要約. 

有必要先解釋一下這幾個(gè)名詞: 

★ 寄送價(jià)目表:是指寄出印有商品價(jià)格的文件.其目的是希望收到價(jià)目表的人,向自己發(fā)出訂立合同的要約并提出訂立合同的條件.價(jià)目表的寄送行為只是一種要約邀請(qǐng),而不是要約。 
★ 拍賣公告:指拍賣人向競(jìng)買人發(fā)出的要求對(duì)方報(bào)價(jià)的文件,該文件記載著拍賣標(biāo)的物的名稱、質(zhì)量、數(shù)量、拍賣場(chǎng)所，拍賣日期等項(xiàng)目，因公布對(duì)象不定，不具備合同內(nèi)容，所以只能稱為要約邀請(qǐng)，不能稱為要約。 
★ 招股說(shuō)明又稱招股章程，是表達(dá)募集股份的意思，并載有某些信息的文件，是要約邀請(qǐng)。 
★ 商業(yè)廣告，大家都熟悉，也是一種要約邀請(qǐng)。 
★ whose content…..可用于普通描述，不可用于條款。 
譯文②：An invitation for offer refers to a proposal for requesting other parties to make offers to the principal. Price forms mailed or send, public notices of auction and tender, prospectuses and commercial advertisements, etc. shall be deemed to be an invitation for an offer. 

Where the contents of a commercial advertisement comply with the terms and provisions of the offer, the advertisement in question shall be deemed to be an offer. 

評(píng)： 
★ invitation用的是派生名詞，抽象性強(qiáng)一些，invitation for offer: 要約邀請(qǐng) 
★ to the principal: 指寄送要約邀請(qǐng)的人 
★ be deemed to (be/do): 被認(rèn)為，法律文件中的正式用語(yǔ)，比“ be believed, be considered”正式 
★ where在文件中，常常不是指地方，不是引出地點(diǎn)狀語(yǔ)從句，而是比if 肯定的條件句，實(shí)際上是強(qiáng)調(diào)如果在某種情況時(shí)，表示處在……..情況下，環(huán)境中，條件下……等。 

由于受限于篇幅，只能掛一漏萬(wàn)，余者日后有機(jī)會(huì)再探討。 

4. 動(dòng)詞的準(zhǔn)確性 

合同法律語(yǔ)言為維護(hù)其準(zhǔn)確性、權(quán)威性，在用詞上除一些專業(yè)術(shù)語(yǔ)、專業(yè)詞匯外，還要求在遣詞造句時(shí)應(yīng)十分準(zhǔn)確；為排除英語(yǔ)詞匯常常有一詞多義易發(fā)生歧義的問(wèn)題，常采取同義詞連用，取兩個(gè)詞或多個(gè)詞的共義來(lái)限定其唯一詞義；排除產(chǎn)生歧義的另一途徑是盡可能少用代詞，這些都是避免合同雙方發(fā)生誤解、矛盾、爭(zhēng)論而逐漸形成的法律語(yǔ)言有別于其他語(yǔ)言的個(gè)性和風(fēng)格。 

第12條 合同的內(nèi)容由當(dāng)事人約定，一般包括以下條款： 

（一） 當(dāng)事人的名稱或者姓名和住址； 
（二） 標(biāo)的； 
………… 
(八)解決爭(zhēng)議的方法。 
當(dāng)事人可以參照各類合同的示范文本訂立合同。 

譯文①： The contents of a contract shall be decided by the parties concerned. In general, a contract shall contain the following items: 

(1) The titles or names of the parties concerned, and their addresses; 
(2) Object; 
…… 
(8) Methods of solving disputes. 
The parties may sign a contract with reference to model copies of various kinds of contracts. 

評(píng)： 
★ ……由當(dāng)事人“約定”用decide不夠確切。這里的“約定”是指經(jīng)過(guò)協(xié)商達(dá)成一致意見的意思，可以用agree (upon) 
★ by the parties concerned 非法律語(yǔ)言,concerned 可改為thereto 
★ a contract shall contain the …….contain 有包含，由…….組成，等于，相當(dāng)于，等多義 
★ their addresses， “their”代詞所有格最好免用，addresses 太一般化，不用于合同，可以用domicile住處，指戶籍，法律上長(zhǎng)住處。 
★ object可改為contract object,較明確，指合同要處理的問(wèn)題 
★ solving disputes, solve不如 settle正規(guī)、貼切 

` Solve: to find a solution, explanation or an answer a problem 之意 

Settle: to conclude( a law suit) by agreement between parties. 多用于法律上解決糾紛、矛盾。 

★ sign a contract在前面已經(jīng)提過(guò)，sign 單獨(dú)不能視為簽合同，應(yīng)于make或enter into或 conclude連用。 
★ with reference ……with 易發(fā)生歧義，常首先理解為“與…….簽合同 
★ model copies應(yīng)改為model text示范文本。 
★ of various kinds，文中的“參照各類合同示范文本”應(yīng)進(jìn)行語(yǔ)內(nèi)譯，指的是訂哪種合同參照哪一種示范文本，因針對(duì)各種不同類型的人訂合同而言，要參照各類不同的合同示范文本，所以用various不確切，訂個(gè)合同要把各種不相干的文本都參遍也不可能，譯為of each kind of……… 比較貼切。

譯文②：
The contents of a contract shall be agreed upon by the parties thereto, and shall, in general, cover and include the following clauses:

(1) title or name and domicile of the parties thereto;
(2) contract object;
……
(8) methods to settle disputes,
The parties may, by reference to the model text of each kind of contract, conclude and enter into a contract.

評(píng)：
★ cover and include用同義詞連用的方法，解除一詞多義產(chǎn)生的歧義。
★ by reference……以by短語(yǔ)表明方式，手段
第10條：當(dāng)事人訂立合同，有書面形式、口頭形式和其他形式。
譯文①：Contracts shall include written, oral and other forms.

評(píng)：
★ 將原文進(jìn)行“語(yǔ)內(nèi)譯”便可以明白，當(dāng)事人簽訂合同時(shí)可采取…….形式，譯文的含義與此有些出入，可反譯為合同應(yīng)該包括…….形式，似乎給人感覺(jué)每份合同需要這三種形式，容易產(chǎn)生歧義。
譯文②：The parties may conclude and enter into a contract in written, or oral or other forms.

評(píng)：

★ 這就明確地表明，簽訂一份合同，可以采用其中一種形式。本款下文也有類似表述不清的問(wèn)題，不一一細(xì)說(shuō)了。

第20條 有下列情形之一的，要約失效：

（一） 拒絕要約的通知到達(dá)要約人；
（二） 要約人依法撤銷要約；
（三） 承諾期限屆滿，受要約人未作出承諾；
（四） 受要約人對(duì)要約的內(nèi)容作出實(shí)質(zhì)性的變更。

譯文①：In any of the following situations, the offer shall cease to be effective:

(1) A notice of refusal of the offer has been received by the offer;
(2) Theofferer has concluded the offer legally;
(3) Theofferee has not made commitment at the time of the expiration of the commitment term; or
(4) Theofferee has made substantive changes to the offer’s contents.

評(píng)：
★ situations:有5個(gè)義釋，只有第5義與原文中情形含義相近，發(fā)生歧義的可能較大，不如用circumstance其中4個(gè)義釋相近。
★ “失效”以 shall cease to be effective合同中沒(méi)有這種譯法，可用專業(yè)強(qiáng)的詞：null and void ……同義詞連用，避免歧義。具有依照法律規(guī)定不再生效之意。
★ a notice of refusal of the offer“拒絕要約的通知”中拒絕應(yīng)該用rejection拒收之意
★ “到達(dá)要約人”用“receive”來(lái)譯欠妥，因?yàn)閞each與receive含義有別。
★ has canceled the offer legally，cancel是劃去，取消之意，非正規(guī)用詞；legally是合法地，并非是依法去做…….
★ has not made 譯為has failed to make…..較好，較為正式。
★ “變更”用alter,用change事指外觀上的變化，如撤換，對(duì)換，兌換等，易產(chǎn)生歧義。Alter: to become different, to make different without changing into something else.

譯文②：An offer shall be null and void in the case of the following circumstances:

(1) The notice of rejection of the offer has reached the offeror;
(2) Theofferor has revoked the offer in question in accordance with the law;
(3) Theofferee has failed to make an acceptance by the expiration of acceptance;
(4) Theofferee substantially alters the contents of the offer in question.

第24條 要約以信件或者電報(bào)作出的,承諾期限自信件載明的日期或者電報(bào)交發(fā)之日開始計(jì)算。信件未載明日期的，自投信件的郵戳日期開始計(jì)算。要約以電話、傳真等快速通訊方式作出的，承諾期限自要約到達(dá)受約人時(shí)開始計(jì)算。

譯文①： If an offer is made by letter or telegram, the commitment time limit shall be calculated from the date on the letter or the day when the telegram is sent. If there is no date on the letter, the postmark date shall be regarded as the starting date. If an offer is made by telephone, fax or other quick forms of communication, the time limit for commitment shall be counted from the day when the offer reaches the offeree.

評(píng)：
★ If an offer is made by letter or telegram………易發(fā)生歧義，by短語(yǔ)容易被理解為動(dòng)作執(zhí)行者。
★ ……time limit shall be calculated from……,calculated limit 動(dòng)賓搭配不太合理。這里要進(jìn)行“語(yǔ)內(nèi)譯”，原文“開設(shè)計(jì)算”指的是承諾期限的啟動(dòng)時(shí)間，而不是真的要你去計(jì)算這個(gè)期限。中譯英在許多時(shí)候要作“語(yǔ)內(nèi)譯”，弄明白中文字面的深層含義，而不是字面的對(duì)譯。比如中文的一個(gè)口語(yǔ)“真煩人”，在不同的語(yǔ)境，可以有若干不同的譯法。
★ the date on the letter容易誤解，不嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)，是規(guī)定日期，書寫日期，還是郵戳日期，還是別的什么日期。
★ if there is no date on the letter同樣是含糊不清。
★ the postmark date shall be regarded as…….不嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)，一般信封上有兩個(gè)郵戳，投寄方郵戳和收郵方郵戳，熟為準(zhǔn)？
★ if an offer is made by telephone, fax…….表達(dá)不嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)，與原文也有出入，原文是“以…….方式作出的”，譯文易被誤解為offer的執(zhí)行者是電報(bào)、電傳…….。
★ shall be counted from the day when…..欠準(zhǔn)確、嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)，原文中的“…….時(shí)開始計(jì)算”，這里的計(jì)算依然不是count 的含義，而是指起點(diǎn)時(shí)間。 “day”的時(shí)間幅度太大，因?yàn)檫@里快速通訊方式，用“day”不精確。

譯文②： When an offer is made in the form of a letter or a telegram, the time limit for acceptance shall commence from the date stated in the letter or from the date the telegram is handed in for dispatch. If no such date is stated in the letter, the time limit shall commence from the date in the sending postmark on the envelope. Where the offer is made by means of instantaneous communication, such as telephone or FAX, the time limit for acceptance shall commence from the moment that the offer reaches the offeree.

評(píng)：
★ commence: to make or to have a beginning, be move formal or bookish than begin.所以用這個(gè)字準(zhǔn)確地表達(dá)了起始時(shí)間。
★ stated表示了信上明確申訴的時(shí)間。
★ Where前面已作解釋，是比if更肯定的場(chǎng)合。
★ 行文結(jié)構(gòu)清楚，用詞嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)。

第29條 受要約人在承諾期限內(nèi)發(fā)出承諾，按照通常情形能夠及時(shí)到達(dá)要約人，但因其他原因承諾到達(dá)要約人時(shí)超過(guò)承諾期限的，除要約人及時(shí)通知受要約人因承諾超過(guò)期限不接受該承諾的以外，該承諾有效。

譯文①：If, within the time limit, an offeree issues a commitment which should be received by the offerer under normal conditions, but the commitment is received by the offerer after commitment time limit due to unforeseen circumstances, the commitment shall still be valid, unless the offeree informs theofferee in time that he or she does not accept the commitment because the time limit has been expired.

評(píng)：
★ within the time limit欠譯。其后應(yīng)加“ for acceptance” 表明是在承諾期限內(nèi)。
★ receive可改為reach，前面已作過(guò)解釋。
★ but the commitment，原文字面上意思是轉(zhuǎn)折，實(shí)際上是在合同里，對(duì)可能發(fā)生的情況作進(jìn)一步規(guī)定，所以用but 不合適，應(yīng)該用provided that if……但規(guī)定，規(guī)定。此詞組常用于在合同的某一條款中需要作進(jìn)一步規(guī)定時(shí)，而語(yǔ)氣稍有轉(zhuǎn)折時(shí)用。中譯時(shí)要注意該詞的使用，有時(shí)字面上沒(méi)有“但規(guī)定”、“進(jìn)一步規(guī)定”的字樣，但有其內(nèi)含時(shí)，要能正確應(yīng)用。
★ received by the offerer after the commitment time limit…..,，received 改為 reached。
★ after the time limit 用詞不嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)，因?yàn)閍fter以后的時(shí)間幅度很大，而且與原文含義不符，原文時(shí)超過(guò)承諾期限，而不是在承諾期之后。
★ still 不如改為remain,有保留的含義。
★ That he or she 代詞不明確，避免使用，文中有兩個(gè)單數(shù)人物，指哪位呢？易產(chǎn)生歧義。
★ does not accept是指“沒(méi)有接受”這個(gè)客觀行為，原文中的不接受具有拒不接受之意。
★ has been expired已期滿之意，而不是超過(guò)期限。

譯文②：When, within the time limit for acceptance, the offeree dispatches the acceptance, the acceptance will, in normal circumstances, reach the offeror in due time. Provided that if the acceptance reaches the offeror beyond the time limit because of other reasons, the acceptance shall remain effective, except that, the offeror promptly informs to accept the acceptance because the time limit for acceptance has exceeded.

評(píng)：
★ 譯文②避免了譯文①中的問(wèn)題。

因《合同法》文件有四百多條，不能一一細(xì)說(shuō)，只能以一斑見全豹來(lái)研究這個(gè)問(wèn)題。下面要談?wù)労贤�文件的另一大特點(diǎn)，句子結(jié)構(gòu)。

二．合同翻譯中句構(gòu)特點(diǎn)：

國(guó)際經(jīng)濟(jì)合同文件及其他法律文件的英文句構(gòu)具有周密嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)、句式較長(zhǎng)等特點(diǎn)，這主要因?yàn)榉�律的條理性、周密性所決定的，每一種情況或條件、或要求、或斷定都要顧及到種種可能發(fā)生的情況，種種設(shè)定，種種意外，種種解決辦法，一個(gè)句子常常要包羅千變?nèi)f化的情況，自然成長(zhǎng)。長(zhǎng)句排列組織不好，就容易引起混亂、誤解、歧義，于是法律文件的句構(gòu)十分講究，具有長(zhǎng)而不亂，各居其位，周到嚴(yán)密等特點(diǎn)，使法律語(yǔ)言自成體系，個(gè)性鮮明。鑒于這一點(diǎn)，將中文合同文本，譯成英文條款時(shí)，當(dāng)盡可能保留法律語(yǔ)言的形態(tài)特點(diǎn)：條理、周密、嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)。在這一部分里主要以實(shí)例來(lái)探討句構(gòu)表意

的效應(yīng)，狀語(yǔ)在主、從句中的位置及其效應(yīng)，定語(yǔ)從句such…..as的應(yīng)用。（對(duì)用詞的正確與否不究，用詞可參考譯文②。）

第5條 當(dāng)事人行使權(quán)利、履行義務(wù)應(yīng)當(dāng)遵循誠(chéng)實(shí)信用原則。

譯文①：Parties shall adhere to the principle of honesty and trustworthiness in exercising their rights and performing their obligations.

譯文②： The parties to the contract shall, in accordance with the principle of good faith, execute the rights and perform the obligations thereof.

評(píng)：
★ 譯文①、譯文②：都是以介詞in組成的短語(yǔ)作狀語(yǔ)，譯文①中in表示的是時(shí)間和行為范圍，意為在履行義務(wù)、行使權(quán)利時(shí)應(yīng)當(dāng)遵循誠(chéng)信原則。譯文②中in短語(yǔ)是方式狀語(yǔ)，按照誠(chéng)信的原則去行使權(quán)利、履行義務(wù)。顯然譯文②中的幅度比譯文①要寬。
★ 譯文②中的狀語(yǔ)短語(yǔ)位置是法律語(yǔ)言中狀語(yǔ)的正常位置，因?yàn)樽罱咏�所修飾的�?dòng)詞，杜絕了造成歧義的可能。
★ 譯文①中有可能產(chǎn)生歧義。比如：

I saw him in the classroom.
可以理解為：1. I saw him who was in the classroom.（我可能在教室也可能不在教室）
2． In the classroom I saw him.（他可能在教室也可能不在教室）

第11條 書面形式是指合同書、信件和數(shù)據(jù)電文（包括電報(bào)、電傳、傳真、電子數(shù)據(jù)交換和電子郵件）等可以有形地表現(xiàn)所載內(nèi)容的形式。

譯文①：A written form of contract includes agreements, letters and electronic data (including telegrams, telexes, faxes, electronic data exchange and E-mail) displaying the contents of the contract discernibly.

譯文② Written form means the form which shall show has described contents of the contract, such as a written contracted agreement, letters, and data-telex (including telegram, telex, fax, EDI and E-mails).

評(píng)：
★ 譯文①中給人造成誤解，一份書面合同需要包含若干材料：信件、電文…….（…….. ）等等一大堆東西。接著用一個(gè)現(xiàn)在分詞短語(yǔ)來(lái)修飾這些名詞，這些東西是用來(lái)展示合同內(nèi)容的。這樣的句子結(jié)構(gòu)傳遞的是錯(cuò)誤的信息。
★ 譯文②抓住了原文的核心部分即書面形式是有形地表現(xiàn)所載內(nèi)容的形式，合同書、信件、電文…….只不過(guò)是例舉的幾種書面形式。所采用的句構(gòu)正確地表達(dá)了條文內(nèi)含的信息。所以應(yīng)該對(duì)中文進(jìn)行“語(yǔ)內(nèi)譯”，弄明白文字要表述的內(nèi)容。

第12條 當(dāng)事人訂立合同，采取要約、承諾方式。

譯文①： When concluding a contract, the parties shall adopt the offer-and-commitment form.

譯文②： The parties shall conclude and enter into a contract in the form of an offer and an acceptance.

評(píng)：
★ 譯文①中用when從句的省略句。如畫蛇添足，當(dāng)事人采取這種形式干什么呢？很不明確。正如when having class he looked outside這句話我們不能理解為他以看著外面的方式上課一樣。
★ 譯文② 以in the form…….作為方式狀語(yǔ)明明白白地說(shuō)清楚訂立合同的方式。

第17條 要約可以撤回，撤回要約的通知應(yīng)當(dāng)在要約到達(dá)受要約人之前或者要約同時(shí)到達(dá)受要約人。

譯文①：If an offer is recalled, the notice of recall should arrive before the offeree receives the offer or at the same time as the arrival of the offer.

譯文②：The offer may be withdraw, if, before or at the same time when an offer arrives, the withdrawal notice reaches the offeree.

評(píng)：
★ 譯文①主從句顛倒了，主從復(fù)合句中，重點(diǎn)的主要的部分做主句，次要部分做從句。也就是譯文①把主次倒反了。要約可以撤回，但必須符合條件，條件就是撤回要約的通知到達(dá)受要人的時(shí)間。
★ 譯文②主次擺對(duì)了，從句中的狀語(yǔ)位置也對(duì)，擺在if與從句主語(yǔ)之間，這樣就使?fàn)钫Z(yǔ)部分牢牢地鎖定從句的動(dòng)詞，不致于誤認(rèn)為是主句的狀語(yǔ)。

第18條 要約可以撤銷。撤銷要約的通知應(yīng)當(dāng)在受要約人發(fā)出承諾通知之前到達(dá)受要約人。

譯文①：The offer may be canceled. The notice for canceling an offer should be received by the offeree before he or she issues a commitment notice.

譯文②：If, before the notice of acceptance dispatched by the offeree, the revocation of offer reaches the offeree, the offer may be revoked.

評(píng)：
★ 譯文①似乎完全按照中文句子一句一句譯的，這不妥當(dāng)。中文是意合語(yǔ)言，句子隨意展開，沒(méi)有一定句型，譯成英文時(shí)，（英文是形合語(yǔ)言）有一定句型，有時(shí)需要數(shù)句中文歸納到一句英文中去。原文中后一句實(shí)際是前一句的條件，沒(méi)有這個(gè)條件，前一句要約是不可撤銷的。分成兩句譯就把中文的內(nèi)在聯(lián)系切斷了。這句該用條件從句時(shí)，譯文①中卻不用從句了。
★ 譯文②中條件從句中的時(shí)間從句插在if和從句主語(yǔ)之間是正確的，主從句關(guān)系十分明確。

第21條 承諾是受要約人同意要約的意思表示。

譯文①： Commitment means that the offeree agrees to accept the offer.

譯文②：An acceptance means a statement, made by the offeree, to give the assent to an offer.

評(píng)：
★ 這句做語(yǔ)內(nèi)譯后意思很明確承諾是“意思表示”，再用個(gè)定語(yǔ)來(lái)修飾“意思表示”。 譯文①用3個(gè)賓語(yǔ)從句來(lái)譯，但沒(méi)有譯出真意。
★ 譯文②只用分詞短語(yǔ)和不定式短語(yǔ)把條文表達(dá)明白。

當(dāng)然合同條款等法律文件英譯中時(shí)，除把握用詞準(zhǔn)確，句子結(jié)構(gòu)嚴(yán)密外，要使譯文完臻，還需注意名詞的單復(fù)數(shù)、冠詞、時(shí)態(tài)、漏譯、欠譯等諸多方面，就不一一細(xì)說(shuō)。

參考文獻(xiàn)

[1]單其昌. 漢英翻譯技巧. 外語(yǔ)教學(xué)與研究出版社 1990.6.
[2] Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Tenth Edition. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated Springfield,Massachusetts,U.S.A. 1995.
[3] The Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China. Foreign Languages Press.1999
[4] 傅偉良. 英文合同寫作指要. 商務(wù)印書館國(guó)際有限公司. 2002.1
[5] 國(guó)際咨詢工程師聯(lián)合會(huì)（FIDIC） 土木工程施工合同條件應(yīng)用指南 航空工業(yè)出版社 1991

論文題目：合同法律文件翻譯談---兼評(píng)《中華人民共和國(guó)合同法》的部分譯文

作者簡(jiǎn)介

傅偉良， 北京第二外國(guó)語(yǔ)學(xué)院 英語(yǔ)系 電話：65710251 郵編：100024 電子信箱：fuweiliang@ sohu.com

Fu Weiliang，English Department, Beijing Second Foreign Language Institute, Beijing 100024； Tel.65710251； E-mail: fuweiliang@ sohu.com

傅偉良，英語(yǔ)副教授，碩士研究生導(dǎo)師。研究方向：合同寫作與翻譯，合同法，國(guó)際經(jīng)濟(jì)合作。