各位譯員早上好,之前譯博為大家分享了很多翻譯技巧與方法的文章,是否為大家的翻譯提供了便利呢?今天同樣與大家一同分享外貿(mào)領域英中的翻譯介紹和不同文體的技巧。 第一章 外貿(mào)英譯中簡介 1 外貿(mào)英語特點 外貿(mào)英語(Foreign trade English),確切的說是針各位譯員早上好,之前譯博為大家分享了很多翻譯技巧與方法的文章,是否為大家的翻譯提供了便利呢?今天同樣與大家一同分享外貿(mào)領域英中的翻譯介紹和不同文體的技巧。
第一章 外貿(mào)英譯中簡介
1 外貿(mào)英語特點
外貿(mào)英語(Foreign trade English),確切的說是針對外貿(mào)行業(yè)的英語。外貿(mào)英語源于普通英語,并以此為基礎,完全具有普通英語的語言特征,但同時它又是外貿(mào)知識和普通英語的綜合體,因而具有其內(nèi)在的獨特性,主要集中以下幾個方面:
1.1語言正式、精煉,用詞嚴謹、正規(guī),詞意準確
外貿(mào)英語所用語言比較正規(guī),常有一定的格式和套話。請看下面幾個例子:
例1 Your early reply to our specific inquiry will be highly appreciated.
譯文:如蒙早日答復我方的具體詢價,將不勝感激。
這是外貿(mào)應用文中詢價函電中常用的句型之一。名詞短語your early reply要比if you can reply early正式精練得多,而被動語態(tài)will be highly appreciated也是很正式的用語。
例2 Upon first presentation the buyer shall pay against document draft drawn by the seller at sight.The shipping documents are to be delivered against payment only.
譯文:買方憑賣方開具的即期跟單匯票,于第一次見票時立即付款,付款后交單。
這是外貿(mào)合同中有關即期付款交單的托收條款。upon常用在合同、法律文書中表示“在……后立即,在…….的時候”,如:upon examination⋯ 經(jīng)審查后…….。
例3 We make you the following offer subject to your reply reaching us not later than noon time December23.
譯文:現(xiàn)報盤如下,此盤以貴公司12月23日中午前復到為有效。
offer意思是“報盤(包括貨名、規(guī)格、數(shù)量、價格、船期及答復期限等)”,subject to “以……為條件(為準)”,如subject to your immediate acceptance以你方立即接受為條件。
1.2內(nèi)容縝密、周到,結(jié)構(gòu)復雜、意思完整
由于涉及到雙方或幾方面的利益,外貿(mào)合同所給的定義、條款和內(nèi)容必須精確。為了做到準確無誤,不產(chǎn)生任何差異,用英語擬訂、書寫這些合同時,除用詞恰當外,還會用許多從句、短語用來修飾或限定其內(nèi)容,因此結(jié)構(gòu)復雜、句子冗長,有時甚至顯得有點臃腫。
例4 Inspection:It is mutually agreed that the Certificate of quality and quantity or weight issued by the manufacturer shall be part of the documents for payment under relevant L/C.However,the inspection of quality and quantity or weight shall be made in accordance with the following:⋯ 譯文:商品檢驗:雙方同意以制造廠出具的品質(zhì)及數(shù)量或重量證明書作為有關信用證項目下付款的單據(jù)之一。但是,貨物的品質(zhì)及數(shù)量重量檢驗應按下列規(guī)定辦理:……。
句子中that the Certificate of quality and quantity or weight issued by the manufacturer shall be part of the documents for payment under relevant L/C.是主語從句,it是形式主語,It is mutually agreed用的是被動語態(tài),意思相當于Both parties agreed……,但前者比后者要正式。
……issued by the manufacturer是一個過去分詞短語,用來修飾the Certificate of quality and quantity or weight。
1.3被動語態(tài)、祈使句、非謂語動詞和情態(tài)動詞的廣泛運用
為了做到語言簡潔、內(nèi)容表達客觀公正和有關事項描述的準確無誤,在外貿(mào)英語的使用中常出現(xiàn)大量的被動語態(tài)、祈使句、非謂語動詞、情態(tài)動詞以及各種從句。
例5 In case the contract is concluded on CIF basis,the insurance shall be efected by the Seller for 110% of invoice value covering all risks,war risk,S.R.C.C.risks (i,e.Strike,Riot,and Civil Commotions).
譯文:在到岸價基礎上訂立的合同,將由賣方按發(fā)票金額110%投保綜合險、戰(zhàn)爭險,罷工險、暴亂險和民變險。
這是一份外貿(mào)合同中有關保險的內(nèi)容,句子中用了被動語態(tài)(is concluded,shall be effected)、非謂語動詞(covering all risks⋯ )、情態(tài)動詞(shal1),另外還用了in case引導的條件句。
例6 All disputes arising from the execution of,or in connection with,this contract shall be settled amicably through friendly negotiation.In case no settlement can be reached through negotiation,the case shall then be submitted for arbitration.The location of arbitration shall be in the country where the defendant has his domicile.
譯文:凡因執(zhí)行本合同所發(fā)生的或與本合同有關的一切爭議,雙方應通過友好協(xié)商解決。協(xié)商不能解決的應提交仲裁,仲裁地點為被告戶籍所在地。
這是一份合同中有關仲裁的內(nèi)容,句子中用了被動語態(tài)(shall be settled,shall then be submitted)、非謂語動詞(arising from the execution of...)和三個情態(tài)動詞(sha11)。
例7 Washing:Soak the clothes in warm water below 30°C for a while before you brush them slightly.Dry by airing after squeezing the water out.Avoid dry cleaning,machine cleaning and drying in the sun.Don’t wring out.No coloring.
譯文:洗滌:將衣服投入30°C以下溫水浸透后取出,攤平后輕刷,漬水過凈后擠壓出水分晾干,不可擰干,不可干洗,不可機洗,不可暴曬,不準染色。
這個使用說明書中用了許多祈使句(soak the clothes……,Dry by airing……,Avoid dry cleaning…….Don’t wring out.No coloring.)、非謂語動詞(by airing,after squeezing)來表達一系列的命令和注意事項。
2 外貿(mào)英譯漢翻譯標準
2.1準確
“準確”是指譯文所傳達的信息與原文傳達的信息保持一致,準確無誤。譯文要準確,就必須準確理解原文的含義,熟悉有關外貿(mào)術語,了解有關外貿(mào)的專業(yè)知識。
例8 This contract is made in two originals in both English and Chinese,each party holding one. In case of any discrepancy between the two versions,the Chinese version shall prevail.
分析:prevail為動詞,不能據(jù)字面譯為:“勝過,流行,成功,占優(yōu)勢”。在透徹理解整段話之后,應該是“以中文本為準”。
全句的正確翻譯是:“本合同以中英文同時書就,一式兩份,雙方各執(zhí)一份。兩種文本如有歧異,以中文本為準。
例9 Since World War II the US has been the world’s largest economy and,in most years,the world’s largest exporter.
譯文:自從第二次世界大戰(zhàn)以來,美國一直是世界上最大的經(jīng)濟大國。在大多數(shù)年代中,它又是世界上最大的出口國。
這個句子里“economy”的本意是“經(jīng)濟”,根據(jù)上下文的意思,此處的意思是“從經(jīng)濟角度看這個國家”,這里翻譯成“經(jīng)濟大國”。
2.2地道
譯文地道有兩層含義,一是指譯文要符合譯語漢語的表達習慣,翻譯不要受英語表達約束,即譯文不成為英文式中文,二是指譯文要符合行業(yè)表達習慣,讀起來像是內(nèi)行的人寫成的文章,其中的術語、表達等都應該符合外貿(mào)文體的要求。這要求我們熟練掌握外貿(mào)文體的特點,采用文體等值的翻譯方法。
例10 Kindly tell us what steps you a going to take in the way of compensation for the damage.
譯文:敬請告訴我方將以什么方式來補償這次損失。
這是外貿(mào)函電常用語,“Kindly tell us….. ”使得說話的語氣顯得十分客氣,翻譯成中文 “友好地告訴我方”就沒有 “敬請告訴我方”地道。
例11 Any claim by the Buyers regarding the goods shipped shall be filed within 15 days after arrival of the goods at the port of destination specified in the relative Bill of Lading and supported by a survey report issued by surveyor approved by the seller.
譯文:買方對于裝運貨物的任何索賠,必須于貨到提單規(guī)定之目的地15天內(nèi)提出,并須提供經(jīng)賣方同意的公證機構(gòu)出具的檢驗報告。
這里claim譯為“索賠”,短語Bill of Lading 譯為“提單”就是行話。
例12 The shipping documents for the consignment are now with us and we shall be glad if you will arrange to collect them.
原譯:貨運單據(jù)現(xiàn)在我行,請安排前來領取。
其中“collect”譯成“領取”不妥,在外貿(mào)英語里面應該譯成“贖單”,才地道。
改譯:貨運單據(jù)現(xiàn)在我行,請安排前來贖單。
2.3統(tǒng)一
統(tǒng)一是指在外貿(mào)英語翻譯過程中所采用的“譯名、概念、術語等在任何時候都應該保持統(tǒng)一”。世界著名的公司企業(yè)名稱如“Dell”(戴爾),“Microsoft”(微軟),在翻譯時不能隨心所欲,譯成“德爾”“邁克羅索夫特”之類。尤其是遇到外貿(mào)方面的術語,更應要遵循統(tǒng)一原則。
例13 After we have checked the L/C carefully, we request you to make the following amendment: “Partial Shipment and Transshipment Allowed.”
原譯:經(jīng)過仔細核對信用證,茲要求貴方作如下修改:“允許部分轉(zhuǎn)運和轉(zhuǎn)船。”
其中“Partial Shipment”應該譯成“分批”。
改譯:經(jīng)過仔細核對信用證,茲要求貴方作如下修改:“允許分批和轉(zhuǎn)船。”
例14 Floating policy is of great importance for export trade; it is, in fact, a convenient method of insuring goods where a number of similar export transactions are intended, e.g. where the insured has to supply an overseas importer under an exclusive sales agreement or maintains sales representatives or subsidiary companies abroad.
原譯:
漂浮政策對出口貿(mào)易至關重要。它實際上是貨物保險中的一種便利的方法,特別適合于分不同的時間出口的一批類似貨物,如當被保險方根據(jù)獨家代理協(xié)議書向國外的進口方供貨,或在國外委任了銷售代表,設立分支機構(gòu)時用之。
floating policy指用以承保多批次貨運的一種持續(xù)性長期保險憑證,是保險常用語,統(tǒng)一譯為“統(tǒng)保單”。
改譯:統(tǒng)保單對出口貿(mào)易至關重要。它實際上是貨物保險中的一種便利的方法,特別適合于分不同的時間出口的一批類似貨物,如當被保險方根據(jù)獨家代理協(xié)議書向國外的進口方供貨,或在國外委任了銷售代表,設立分支機構(gòu)時用之。
3 外貿(mào)英譯漢過程
一般而言,任何翻譯都要經(jīng)過理解、表達、復核這三個階段,外貿(mào)英譯漢也不例外。
3.1理解階段
外貿(mào)英譯漢過程中,理解是第一位的,是關鍵所在。
3.1.1詞語的理解
在外貿(mào)英譯漢過程中,我們應該通過上下文探求詞語的正確譯法,多留意常用詞語,小心掉進常用意義的陷阱中,不要對某些詞的確切含義或特殊用法缺乏必要的了解而發(fā)生錯譯。
例15 We'd like to inform you that our counter sample will be sent to you by express. By the end of this week and please confirm it ASAP so that we can start our mass production. Payment will be made by100% confirmed, irrevocable Letter of Credit available by sight draft。
譯文: 很高興通知您,我們的回樣將于本周末用特快專遞給您,請盡快確認,以便我們開始大批生產(chǎn)。付款方式為100%即期、保兌、不可撤消信用證。
在第一個句子中,confirm的意思是“確認”。在第二個句子中,confirmed L/C為“保兌信用證”,即指一家銀行所開的由另一家銀行保證兌付的一種銀行信用證。
例16 ①Part time barman required.Hours and salary negotiable.
②This Bill of Lading is issued in a negotiable form, so it shall constitute title to the goods and the holder, by endorsement of this B/L.
譯文:
①招聘兼職酒店保安,工作時間和薪水面議。
②所簽發(fā)的提單可商議的,故只要在提單上背書, 便確定了貨物和持票人的所有權。
在第一句話中,negotiable 的意思是“可商議的”,在第二句話中的意思則是“可轉(zhuǎn)讓的”,“可轉(zhuǎn)讓提單”經(jīng)過背書后即可將所有權轉(zhuǎn)讓給他人。
3.1.2短語理解
外貿(mào)英文材料當中少不了短語,短語的含義豐富,在翻譯時不能想當然,一定要結(jié)合外貿(mào)語境。
例17 Assuming the laboratory tests go well, and you can報價具有競爭力 quote us a competitive price, we'd certainly be able to place more substantial orders on a regular basis.
譯文:若實驗室檢測合格,且你們給我們的報價具有競爭力,我們一定會定期大量定貨的。(如果把 go well 譯成“進展順利”,就沒有那么好。)
3.1.3結(jié)構(gòu)理解
在外貿(mào)英譯漢過程中不可避免的會碰到一些句子結(jié)構(gòu)的理解,理解不好,就會失之毫厘差之千里。
例18 Mr.Smith said,“We don’t do business just for making money.”
錯誤譯文“我們不做生意,是為了賺錢。”
正確譯法:“我們做生意,不只是為了賺錢。”
該句否定不是對謂語動詞的否定而是對狀語的否定,句子結(jié)構(gòu)理解不當而導致誤譯。
例19 The lowest price may lead to the failure of business caused by inferior quality of the products.
錯誤譯文:最低的價格也可能導致因產(chǎn)品質(zhì)量低劣,成交失敗。
正確譯法:即使最低的價格也會因為產(chǎn)品質(zhì)量低劣而無法成交。
這句也是因為句子結(jié)構(gòu)沒有正確把握而導致誤譯。
3.2表達階段
表達是理解后能否保證譯文成功的又一重要關鍵步驟,是理解的深化和體現(xiàn)。在這一過程中,譯者要注意恰到好處地再現(xiàn)原文的思想內(nèi)容,使譯文既忠實于原作又符合譯入語的語法和表達習慣。要做到這一點,譯者就必須在選詞用字、組詞成句、組句成篇上下工夫,在技巧運用上下工夫。在譯文語言條件許可的情況下,譯文即保持原文的內(nèi)容,又保持原文的形式。當原文的思想內(nèi)容與譯文的表達形式有矛盾不宜采用直譯法處理時,就應采用意譯法。意譯要求譯文能正確表達原文的內(nèi)容,但可以不拘泥于原文的形式。
例20 Textile finishes have in general become a "no-no" in today's market place, thanks to many reasons, says a representative of fiber producer.
誤譯:
一位纖維廠家代表說,紡織物整理劑在今天的市場上已經(jīng)到無人問津的地步,是由于許多原因。
此句表達不同于漢語先因后果的思維方式,需要進行倒譯。
改譯:
一位纖維廠家代表說,由于許多原因,紡織物整理劑在今天的市場上已經(jīng)到無人問津的地步。
例21 We shall appreciate any help you can give Mr. Jones and will always be happy to reciprocate.
我們將感激你給與瓊斯先生的任何幫助,并且總是很高興報答。
這個句子的譯文死摳原文形式,死摳字典釋義,翻譯腔嚴重,讓人難以明白其意思,可改譯為:謹希幫助,不甚感激。
例22 (Currently we, working with 27 enterprises) and every year we are adding between ten and twenty investments to our client list
譯文:(目前,我公司正與27家企業(yè)進行合作,)而每年都有10個至20個新的公司加入到我們的客戶名單上。
顯然,“加入到我們的客戶名單上”與原文的"adding...to our client list”是逐字對應式的硬譯。更為地道的漢語翻譯應該是(我公司)“每年都增加10至20個新客戶”。
例23 Global Capital,formed in 1997,is a specialist in financing high-growth, high-tech companies.
譯文:成立于1997年的環(huán)球資本公司,是高增長、高科技公司融資領域的專家。
若將譯文的主干抽出來,便是“公司是⋯⋯專家”,這樣的表達在漢語中顯然不通。實際上,更為自然的漢語翻譯應是“環(huán)球資本公司成立于1997年,是一家專門為高增長、高科技公司提供融資服務的公司”。
3.3復核階段:
按照翻譯標準,對文章的復核,是一個十分重要的環(huán)節(jié)。所選用詞、語、短語、句、是否表達原文內(nèi)容、是否符合漢語表達習慣,盡力使語言盡善盡美。
復核階段一般應特別注意以下幾點:
① 復核譯文在人命、地名、日期、方位、數(shù)字等方面有無錯漏,尤其是數(shù)字,翻譯不當,會給公司帶來巨大損失;
② 復核譯文的段、句、或重要的詞有無錯漏;
例24 Without prejudice to any rights which exist under the applicable laws or under the Subcontract,the Contractor shall be entitled to withhold or defer payment of all or part of any sums otherwise due by the Contractor to the Subcontractor.
原譯:承包商根據(jù)適當?shù)姆苫蚍职贤趯碛械娜魏螜嗬粠С梢姷臈l件下,應該有權扣留或暫緩支付在不同情況下應由承包商支付給分包商的任何全部或部分金額。
上例中的“prejudice”一詞本身有“成見”、“損害”之義,而該句中的“Without prejudice to”則表示“不使合法權益受損害”,這一短語在合同中經(jīng)常出現(xiàn)。
改譯:承包商根據(jù)適當?shù)姆苫蚍职贤趯碛械娜魏螜嗬皇軗p害的條件下,應該有權扣留或暫緩支付在不同情況下應由承包商支付給分包商的任何全部或部分金額。
例25 We are happy to consider investment at any development stage from seed through start up and introduction to the market to initial public offering.
原譯:對于處在任何一個初期發(fā)展階段的公司,不論是在剛剛起步,還是即將上市,我們都樂意給予考慮。
原文談到公司發(fā)展初期的三個階段:from seed through start up and introduction to the market;譯文卻只有兩個階段“不論是在剛剛起步,還是即將上市”,漏譯了“籌辦階段”( seed) .
改譯:對于處在任何一個初期發(fā)展階段的公司,不論是籌辦階段,起步階段,還是即將上市,我們都樂意給予考慮投資。
③通常必須復核兩遍,第一遍著重符合內(nèi)容,第二遍著重潤飾文字。如果時間允許,再把校核兩遍的譯文對照原文通讀一遍,做最后一次的檢查、修改,務使所有問題都得到解決,譯文才算是定稿。
一、Try to translate the following sentences into Chinese and pay attention to the meaning of the word underlined in each sentence.
⑴①We'd like to inform you that our counter sample will be sent to you by DHL.By the end of this week and please confirm it ASAP so that we can start our mass production.
②Payment will be made by100% confirmed, irrevocable Letter of Credit available by sight draft。
⑵①You may get a 5% discount if your order is on a regular basis.
②If a seller extends credit to a time draft, they have made a trade acceptance.The seller can request that the bank finance the transaction by buying the draft.The bank is said to discount the draft.
⑶①Our products have been endorsed by the National Quality Inspection Association.
②Draft must be accompanied by full set original on board marine Bill of Lading made out to order,endorsed in blank,marked freight prepaid.
⑷①If a particular cargo Is partially damaged,the damage is called particular average.
②It's obvious that the products are below the average quality.
⑸①Under CIF, it is the seller's obligation to tender the relative documents to the buyer to enable him to obtain delivery of the goods, if they arrive, or to recover for the loss, if they are lost on the voyage.
②He became as exhilarated as if his tender for building a mansion had been accepted.
二、Try to translate the following sentences into Chinese.
① We will open an irrevocable L/C in your favor through the First National City Bank,New York,to cover the total CIF value of this order.
② The credit which evidences shipment of 2000 tons of steels may be used against presentation of the shipping documents.
③ We hereby confirm having sold to you the following goods on terms and conditions as set forth below.
④ In order to cover ourselves for this shipment,we have drawn on Chemical Bank,New York by sigh draft for US$10.000 under L/C
⑤ Steadily rising prices over the past few years have been a common experience and our own costs have continued to follow the general trend.
⑥While manufacturing,the traditional engine of economic growth in Britain,continues to play a vital role,recent decades have generally seen a faster growth in the sevices sector,in response to rising living standards.
⑦ The further expansion of your exports on our market will depend on your continued efforts to broaden and diversify your products range into markets where there is real demand.
⑧ Please understand that we did make our utmost in getting supplies from other manufacturers in vain.
⑨Even if according to some way, the party B with the written agreement specially by party A , this kind of use should immediately stop and the cancellation when this agreement expires or the termination.
⑩Termination: both sides of the Agreement should earnestly responsibly carry out each provision. Under the following condition, each side should inform by the written notification to another side terminate this agreement immediately or cancel some part:
文章轉(zhuǎn)自:CONTRACTUS的博客
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