法律商務合約在英文翻譯時應注意的事情

一、公文副詞

I. COMMUNICATIONS

但是從一些合約的英文譯本中發現，這種公文語副同常被普通詞語所代替，從而影響到翻譯的品質。

However, from some of the contractual English translations, it has been found that this common language is often replaced by ordinary language, which affects the quality of translation.

實際上，這種公文語慣用副詞為數並不多，而且簡單易記。常用的這類副詞是由 here、there、where 等副詞分別加上 after、by、in、of、on、to、under、upon、with 等副詞，構成一體化形式的公文語副詞。例如：

In fact, this type of public language is not used as many adverbs and is easy to remember. The usual adverbs are after, by, in, on, to, under, upon, with, etc. with the following adverbs:

從此以後、今後：hereafter；

From now on, from now on:

此後、以後：thereafter；

After that, after that:

在其上：thereonthereupon；

On: theontheeupon;

在其下：thereunder；

Under: thereunder;

對於這個：hereto；

For this: Hereto.

對於那個：whereto；

For that: whereto;

在上文：hereinabovehereinbefore；

Above: hereinabovehereinfore;

在下文：hereinafterhereinbelow；

In the following: hereinaafterhereinblow;

在上文中、在上一部分中：thereinbefore；

In the above, in the preceding section: theinbefore;

在下文中、在下一部分中：thereinafter；

In the following, in the following section:

現用兩個實例，說明在合約的英文翻譯中，如何酌情使用上述副詞。

Two examples are available to illustrate the use of the above adjectives, where appropriate, in the English translation of the contract.

例 1：本合約自買方和建造方簽署之日生效。

Example 1: This contract shall enter into force on the date of signature by the buyer and the construction party.

This Contract shall come into force from the date of execution hereof by the Buyer and the Builder.

例 2：下述簽署人同意在台灣製造新產品，其品牌以此為合適。

Example 2: The following signatories have agreed to create new products in Taiwan and their brand names are appropriate for this purpose.

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

二、謹慎選用極易混淆的詞語

II. Cautionful choice of words that are highly confusing

商務合約在英文翻譯時，常常由於選詞不當而導致詞不達意或者意思模棱兩可，有時甚至表達的是完全不同的含義。因此瞭解與掌握極易混淆的詞語的區別是極為重要的，是提高英文翻譯品質的關鍵因素之一，現把常用且易混淆的七對詞語，用典型實例論述如下。

Business contracts, when translated in English, are often based on inappropriate or ambiguous terms, and sometimes even express completely different meanings. The difference between understanding and mastering highly confusing terms is therefore of great importance, one of the key factors in improving the quality of English translations, and the seven commonly used and confusing terms are described in the following classic factual case.

2.1. shipping advice 與 shipping instructions

2.1. Shipping impact and shipping instructions

shipping advice 是“裝運通知”，是由出口商（賣主）發給進口商（買主）的。然而 shipping instructions 則是“裝運須知”，是進口商（買主）發給出口商（賣主）的。另外要注意區分 vendor（賣主）與 vendee（買主），consignor（發貨人）與 consignee（收貨人）。上述這三對詞語在翻譯時、極易發生筆誤。

Shipping advice is a “loading notice” that is sent by the exporter (seller) to the importer (buyer). Shipping instructions, however, is “loading information”, which is sent by the importer (buyer) to the exporter (seller). Attention is also drawn to the division between vendor (seller) and vendee, consignor and consignee.

2.2. abide by 與 comply with

2.2. Abede by and comply with

abide by 與 comply with 都有“遵守”的意思，但是當主語是“人”時，翻譯“遵守”須用 abide by。當主語是非人稱時，則用 comply with 翻譯“遵守”。

Abede by and comply with, but when the main language is “person”, the word “comply” must be translated by. When the main language is not human, the word “comply” is translated by.

例 3：雙方都應遵守/雙方的一切活動都應遵守合約規定。

Example 3: Both parties should comply/all activities should be subject to the terms of the agreement.

Both parties Shall abide by/All the activities of both parties shall comply with the contractual stipulations.

2.3. change A to B 與 change A into B

2.3 Change A to B and change A into B

翻譯“把 A 改為 B”用“change A to B”，翻譯“把 A 折合成/兌換成 B”用“change A into B”，兩者不可混淆。

The translation "Change A to B" for "Change A to B" and "Change A into B" for "Change A to B" is not confusing.

例 4：交貨期改為 8 月，並將美元折合成人民幣。

Example 4: The delivery period has been changed to August and the dollar has been converted into the renminbi.

Both parties agree that change the time of shipment to August and change US dollar into Renminbi.

2.4. ex 與 per

2.4. Ex and per

源自拉丁語的介詞 ex 與 per 有各自不同的含義。翻譯由某輪船“運來”的貨物時用 ex，由某輪船“運走”的貨物用 Per，而由某輪船“承運”用 by。

The Latin word ex and per have different meanings. The translation of a ship's cargo is for ex, the ship's cargo is for Per, and the ship's cargo is for by.

例 5：由“維多利亞”輪運走/運來/承運的最後一批貨將於 10 月 1 日抵達倫敦。

Example 5: The last shipment shipped/shipped by Victoria will arrive in London on October 1.

The last batch per/ex/by S.S. "Victoria" will arrive at London on October (S.S.=Steamship)

2.5. in 與 after

2.5. In and after

當翻譯“多少天之後”的時間時，往往是指“多少天之後”的確切的一天，所以必須用介詞 in，而不能用 after，因為介詞 after 指的是“多少天之後”的不確切的任何一天。

When translating “How many days after” time, it often refers to a precise day “How many days after”, so it is necessary to use the word in, not after, because the word after “How many days after” refers to any day that is not accurate.

例 6：該貨於 11 月 10 日由“東風”輪運出，41 天后抵達鹿特丹港。

Example 6: The shipment was shipped by the East Wind on November 10 and arrived at the port of Rotterdam in 41 days.

The good shall be shipped per M.V. "Dong Feng" on November 10 and are due to arrive at Rottedaml in 140 days. (M.V.=motor vessel)

2.6. on/upon 與 after

2.6 on/upon and after

當翻譯“……到後，就……”時，用介詞 on/upon，而不用 after，因為 after 表示“之後”的時間不明確。

When the translation is "on/upon" instead of after, because after means "after" the time is uncertain.

例 7：發票貨值須貨到付給。

Example 7: The value of the invoice must be paid.

The invoice value is to be paid on/upon arrival of the goods.

2.7. by 與 before

2.7 by and before

當翻譯終止時間時，比如“在某月某日之前”，如果包括所寫日期時，就用介詞 by；如果不包括所寫日期，即指到所寫日期的前一天為止，就要用介詞 before。

When translation ends, for example, “in a month before”, if the date is included, then by; if the date is not included, the day before the date is written, before.

例 8：賣方須在 6 月 15 日前將貨交給買方。

Example 8: The seller must deliver the goods to the buyer by June 15.

The vendor shall deliver the goods to the vendee by June 15.(or: before June 16，說明含 6 月 15 日在內。如果不含 6 月 15 日,就譯為 by June 14 或者 before June 15。)

The vendor shall translate the goods to the evening by June 15.

三、慎重處理合約的關鍵細目

III. SERIOUS CONTEXT OF THE CONTEXT OF THE CONTROL

實務中發現，合約翻譯中容易出現差錯的地方，一般來說，不是大的陳述性條款，而恰恰是一些關鍵的細目，比如：金錢、時間、數量等。為了避免出差錯，在翻譯合約時，常常使用一些有限定作用的結構來界定細目所指定的確切範圍。

In practice, it is found that where translation is prone to errors, it is generally not a large statement clause, but rather a key detail, such as money, time, amount, etc. In order to avoid travel errors, translation of the contract often uses limited structures to define the exact range specified by the detail.

3.1. 限定責任

3.1. Limitation of responsibilities

眾所周知，合約中要明確規定雙方的責任。為翻譯出雙方責任的許可權與範圍，常常使用連詞和介詞的固定結構。現把最常用的此類結構舉例說明如下。

It is well known that the responsibilities of both parties are clearly defined in the contract. In order to translate the licensing and scope of the responsibilities of both parties, the fixed structure of the word and the text is often used. Now, the most common example of this type of structure is as follows.

3.1.1 and/or

常用 and/or 翻譯合約中“甲和乙 ＋ 甲或乙”的內容，這樣就可避免漏譯其中的一部分。

Common and/or translations of the content of “A and B + A or B” in the contract are used to avoid the omission of a part of it.

例 9：如果上述貨物對船舶和（或）船上其他貨物造成任何損害，托運人應負全責。

Example 9: The consignor bears full responsibility if the aforementioned cargo causes any damage to the ship and/or other cargo on board.

The shipper shall be liable for all damage caused by such goods to the ship and/or cargo on buard.

3.1.2 by and between

常用 by and between 強調合約是由“雙方”簽訂的，因此雙方必須嚴格履行合約所賦於的責任。

It is often argued by by and between that the contract was signed by a “double party” and therefore both parties have to comply strictly with their responsibilities under the contract.

例 10：買賣雙方同意按下述條款購買出售下列商品並簽訂本合約。

Example 10: The buyer and seller agree to purchase and sell the following goods and to sign this contract:

This Contract is made by and between the Buyer and the Seller, whereby the Buyer agrees to buy and the Seller agrees to sell the undermentioned commodity subject to the terms and conditions stipulated below.

3.2. 限定時間

3.2. Time limits

翻譯與時間有關的文字，都應非常嚴格慎重地處理，因為合約對時間的要求是準確無誤。所以翻譯起止時間時，常用以下結構來限定準確的時間。

The translation of time-related texts should be handled very carefully, because the contract requires the correctness of time. Therefore, the following structures are used to limit the exact amount of time when translating time.

3.2.1 雙介詞

3.2.1 Dual terms

用雙介詞翻譯含當天日期在內的起止時間。

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例 11；自 9 月 2O 日起，甲方已無權接受任何定單或收據。

Example 11; since September 2O, A has no right to accept any order or receipt.

Party Ashall be unauthorized to accept any orders or to collect any account on and after September 20.

例 12：我公司的條件是，3 個月內，即不得晚於 5 月 1 日，支付現金。

Example 12: Our condition is to pay cash within three months, not later than 1 May.

Our terms are cash within three months, i.e. on or before May 1.

3.2.2 not(no)later than 用“not (no) later than ＋ 日期”翻譯“不遲於某月某日”。

3.2.2 not (no) later than "not (no) later than + date" translated "not later than a month".

例 13：本合約簽字之日一個月內，即不遲於 12 月 15 日，你方須將貨物裝船。

Example 13: Within a month of the date of the signing of this contract, i.e. no later than December 15th, you must load the cargo on board the ship.

Party B shall ship the goods within one month of the date of signing this Contract, i.e. not later than December 15.

3.2.3 include 的相應形式

3.2.3 Reciprocal form of include

常用 include 的相應形式：inclusive、including 和 included，來限定含當日在內的時間。

Commonly used include matching forms: inclusive, including and included, to limit the time within the day.

例 14：本證在台北議付，有效期至 1 月 1 日。

Example 14: This certificate is submitted in Taipei and is valid until 1 January.

This credit expires till January 1(inclusive) for negotiation in Taipei. (orhis credit expires till and including January 1 for negotiation in Taipei.) 如果不包括 1 月 1 日在內，翻譯為 till and not including January 1。

This credit limits till January 1 (inclusive) for negotiation in Taipei. (orhis credit expires till and including January 1 for exclusion in Taiwan.)

3.3. 限定金額

3.3. Restricted amount

為避免金額數量的差漏、偽造或塗改，翻譯時常用以下措施嚴格把關。

The following measures are often used in translation to avoid leakages, falsifications or dissimilarities in the amount of money.

3.3.1.大寫文字重複金額

3.3.1. Capitalisation duplicate

翻譯金額須在小寫之後，在括弧內用大寫文字重複該金額，即使原文合約中沒有大寫，翻譯時也有必要加上大寫。在大寫文字前加上“SAY”，意為“大寫”；在最後加上“ONLY”，意思為“整”。必須注意：小寫與大寫的金額數量要一致。

The translation value must, after lower case, be repeated in parenthesis in upper case, even if there is no upper case in the original text contract, require an upper case to be added to the translation. Add the word “SAY” before the upper case to mean “up case”; add the word “ONLY” to the end to mean “total”. Note that the lower case is the same amount as the upper case.

例 16：聘方須每月付給受聘方美元 500 元整。

Example 16: The employer is required to pay the client a monthly sum of US$ 500.00.

Party A shall pay Party B a monthly salary of US $ 500 (SAY FIVE HUNDRED US DOLLARS ONLY).

3.3.2. 正確使用貨幣符號

3.3.2. Correct use of currency symbols

翻譯金額必須注意區分和正確使用各種不同的貨幣名稱符號。“$”既可代表“美元”，又可代表其他某些地方的貨幣；而“￡”不僅代表“英鎊”，又可代表其他某些地方的貨幣。

Translations must take care to divide and correctly use different currency names. “$” can represent both “United States dollars” and currency in some other places; “£” can represent not only “£” but also currency in some other places.

必須注意：當金額用數位書寫時，金額數位必須緊靠貨幣符號，例如：Can $568,699，不能寫成：Can $ 568,699。另外，翻譯的還要特別注意金額中是小數點 (.) 還是分節號 (,)，因為這兩個符號極易引起筆誤，稍有疏忽，其後果是不堪設想的。

It is important to note that when the value is written in digital books, the value must be closely tied to currency symbols, such as Can $568,699, which cannot be written as Can $568,699. Also, the translation should pay special attention to the decimal points in the amount (...) or the numberings (...), because these two symbols are extremely prone to errors, minor negligence, and the consequences are undesired.