外贸汉译英信函翻译

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外贸汉译英信函翻译

外贸函电作为其中最主要的、应用范围最广泛的涉外文书,在国际贸易中扮演着非常重要的角色。如何把函电准确、完整、贴切地翻译成不同的文字,已引趋越来越多的外贸工作人员和外贸文教人员的普遍重视。函电属于应用文体,在翻译上与其它文体既有相通之处,又有相异所在。

1词语翻译方法

1.1一词多义和一义多词

如果查阅一本英汉或汉英的词典,我们会发现许多词的意思并不是一对一的关系。一词多义、一义多词是一种十分普遍的现象。因而在外贸汉译英时,我们可以充分利用英语词汇这一特点,灵活选择英语词语来表达汉语意义。

外贸汉译英信函翻译

1.1.1一词多义

例1现另邮给你方最新的价目单和剪样。

译文:We are now airmailing you under separate cover our latest price list and cutting sample.

例2望你方能早日装运我方第2213号定单项下的十箱茶叶为宜。

译文:Please ship the ten chests of tea covered by our Order No 2213 at an early date

例33356号定单下的货物已投保了一切险。

译文:The goods under our order No 3356 are covered against All Risks .

例4秋季展览会展出面积为5,000平方米。

译文:This autumn exhibition covers an area of 5ooo square meters.

例5三天后,开证行将在通知书上告知受益人有关信用证的开证情况。

译文:The initiating bank will inform the beneficiary of the relative L/C in the covering letter three days later.

以上五个句子中翻译成英文时都用“cover”一词,但每一个句子中“cover”的意思相差甚远。

1.1.2一义多词

在外贸函电中,价格是十分重要的因素.没有价格就没有贸易。买卖双方交易时,买方当然希望卖方能报商品的最低价,以获取最高的利润。中文中的“最低价”在英文中有许多的表达方法,请看下面的例子:

例6我们的报价已是最低价,折扣不能再给了。

译文:As we have quoted you our rock—bottom price,we can't grant you an discount.

例7请报永久牌自行车最低价。

译文:please make us your lowest quotation for“Forever”brand bicycle

例8你们将会看出我们这批货物的价格是最低的。

译文:You will find our prices for these goods on the lowest side.

例9如果有兴趣与我方做生意,请报最低价。

译文:If you feel interested in doing business with us,please quote us your best price

例10我们已接最低价向你方报盘。

译文:We have made you an offer at the most competitive price.

例11如果你方向我方报最低价,我方将考虑向你方大量订购。

译文:Should you offer us at the most favorable price,we'll consider placing substantiate orders with you.

上述6句中文中都有“最低价”一词,但在翻译具体句子时,应灵活处理cheapest一词.虽也有“最低价”的意思.但一般不用于外贸函电的报价,因为此词常含有贬义,表示“廉价质扶”的意思,应引起注意。

1.2词的重复和省略

在外贸英语的翻译中,词的重复是不可避免的,这就需要我们在翻译过程中,根据英、汉两种语言的文字特点加以妥善处理.尽量使译文显得生动、有趣,符合本国语言的习惯。有些在汉语中需要重复或无法避免重复的语言现象,在汉译英时必须予以省略或替补,尽可能

避免重复是英语的一个特点。

例12经检查,我们非常遗憾地发现,贵方传真通知的数量,船代理提供的装船数量,以及正本提单的数量和副本提单的数量都不一致。

译一:Upon checking,we regret to find that there are discrepancies among the quantities stated in your fax,the quantities of the loaded goods reported by the ship agent and the quantities indicated in the original and duplicated bills of lading.

中文中有四个“数量”,在汉语中这种重复并不显得累赘,符合中文的语言习惯,但在汉译英时,如不作处理,直接翻成上述译文,就显得相当拖沓、繁琐,应改为:

译二:Upon checking,we regret to find that there are discrepancies of quantities among those stated in your fax,indicated in the original and duplicated bill of lading as well as of the loaded goods reported by the ship agent.

这样就好多了。把“quantities”提前与discrepancies结合,就可用“those”替代下面许多的“quantities ”避免重复,同时把“those”几个定语的顺序稍加调整,这样既自然,又朗朗上口,通顺流畅。

例13凡因不可抗力以外的原因,一方未能按时履约而招致对方损失时,未能按时履约的一方应承付罚金。

译一:When the failure of either part to fulfill its contractual obligations in time brings about losses to other on account of causes other than force majeure, that party who fail to fulfill is contractual obligations shall undertake to the penalty

上述译文中的重复部分显得冗长、罗嗦,如何避免重复又不影响作为保险条款之一行文的严谨性呢?

请看译二:

译二:When the failure of either party to fulfill its contractual obligations in time brings about loses to the other on account of cause other than force majeure,the defaulter shall undertake to pay the penalty.

用“defaulter”替代重复部分,既简单明了,又不失原文风味,贴切之极。

1.3词性的转换

在外贸函电的汉译英时,由于英汉两种语言的不同特点,如英语中名词较多,而汉语中动词较多等,实际翻译时应适当借用一些词的活用法,如词性转换.突破原文词句的格局,避免生硬、呆板和拖沓的行文,使译文变得更加通顺流畅,更符合表达习惯。请看下面倒子:

例14货已备妥待运多时,请从速开立信用证,以便我方履行合同。

译文:The goods have been ready for shipment for some time and we hope you will expedite the establishment of your letter of credit to fulfill the terms of the contract.

把原文中“从速”这一副词改译为动词“expedite”,把“开立”这一动词转换为名词“establishment,语句通顺。其它例子还有:

例15该信用证的有效期至11月十15日止。

译文:The L/C would remain valid until November 15.(名词转译成形容词)

例16请在汇票背面签上“承兑”字样

译文:You are kindly requested to“accept ” this draft by signing on the back (名词转译成动词)

例17若接受我方条款,请即来电订货,以便我方确认。

译文:If you find our-terms and conditions acceptable- please cable u your order for our confirmation.(动词转译成形容词)

例18欧洲和日本化工厂商在塑料生意方面竞争异常激烈,迫使我们不得不暂时降价。

译文:Extremely keen competition between European and Japanese chemical manufacture in the plastic business has compelled us to bring down the price for the time being.(动词转译成名词)

例19 这批货的实际重量与发票重量相差15吨。

译文:The actual weight of this consignment is 15 tons less than the invoiced weight.

{动词转译成形容词)

例20我们保证立即处理你方定单。

译文:You may rest assured of our immediate attention to your order.(副词转译成形容词)

例21我们觉得难以受理贵方索赔译为:

译文:We find it difficulty in entertaining your claim(副词转译成名词)

2句子翻译方法

由于英语和汉语的思辨和推理模式,以及中英两个民族的经商心理大不相同,所以英汉外贸信函翻译中存在着不少语用移位现象,在汉英翻译时,我们可以灵活运用语用移位法,来处理如何把汉语句子译成英语句子。

2.1意合形合移位

汉语重意合(parataxis),其动词没有谓语动词和非谓语动词之分,原型动词可以充当句子的各种成分,可以按照由先到后、由因到果、由假设到推论、由事实到结论这样的次序组成线性意念结构;而英语重形合(hypotaxis),经常借助丰富的连接词语和形态变化将句子的意思组织成树型成分格局,立体感极强,在翻译时,应注意这种汉语意合结构向英语形合结构转移。

例22付款需凭保兑的、不可撤消的、可分割的、可转让的、无追索权的信用证的即期汇票支付。

译文:The payment is to be made against sight draft drawn under a confirmed ,irrevocable,divisible and transferable L/C without recourse for the amount.

例23请查看一下标题定单。这批货是按到岸价订购的。

译文:We wish to refer you to the captioned order,from which you will see that this order is placed on a CIF basis.

上述两例的英文分别以分词短语、介词短语和从句来补充说明主句信息,使事态发展呈现多维态势,而当事人各方的职责及其关联也相当明确。这是中文的线性结构所不具备的。

2.2信息焦点移位

汉语由于多采用意合方式组词成句,所以,相对于英语来说,更倾向于把最重要的信息(信息焦点)置于句中或句末,而英语是重要信息处于句子突出位置,一般在句子显著位置,汉译英应注意重要信息转移。

例24在装运港,中国进出口商品检验局所签发的品质检验证书应作为最后依据。此据对双方均有约束力。

译文:The certificate of quality issued by the China Import&Export Commodity Bureau at the port of shipment shall be final and binding upon both parties.

例25对于贵方的任何询问,我方将予以充分的关注。

译文:We assure you of our best attention to any inquiry from you.

2.3叙事视角移位

在外贸汉译英时转换叙事视角,就是说对于汉语第二人称叙事,英译文或采用被动语态叙事;或以第三人称全知视角叙事;或者采用第一人称缓和法间接说明问题,这样令外贸交往的空间更为宽阔,更加利于合作和人际交往。

例26 贵方犯了一个非常大意的错误。译文:A very careless mistake was made.

例27贵方似乎早应办完该项手续。译文:It seems to us that you should have done it.

例28贵方建议恐怕令人难以接受。译文:We are afraid that we cannot agree to your proposa1.

2.4人际立场移位

在外贸信函中,英文表达习惯于站在对方的立场来缓和语气,达到交流的目的。中文表达消极意义的句子翻译成英语时,多用积极肯定的语句来照顾对方的面子。

例29贵方没能在中国人民保险公司处为该批货物投保。

译文:We wish you could effect insurance on the goods with PICC.

例30今年,我们在欧洲并不需要另外的代理商。

We may need another agent in Europe next year.

中文的祈使句译成英文时采用否定表达,是一种缓和法,更接近礼貌原则和合作原则。

例31请确保在五月底之前开出信用证。

译文:It seems you will no doubt open the relevant L/C at the end of May.

另一种表达合作意愿的函电英文法也是基于“you—attitude”的,在翻译时尽量站在对方的立场。

例32请注意,付款期限以此为7月9日为限。

译文:As you know,the payment was due on July 9.

例33我方将立刻给予贵方答复。译文:Your inquiry will be answered promptly.

例34一经收到来证,我方自当通力合作,及时安排装船。

译文:You may count on us to cooperate with you by arranging shipment in due time after receipt of your L/C.

3信函翻译实例分析

敬启者:

收到你方9月25日来函,得知你们有意建立合资企业生产化肥,并要求我们介绍对此可能感兴趣的中国伙伴。

我们很快就与有关的负责人取得了联系。他们表示欢迎你们来合营,但首先想知道你们大致的投资额以及你们将使用什么方法来投资,即是用现金,资本产品还是技术。他们还想知道,如果项目不设在上海,你们是否同意。

我国合资企业法对外商在合资企业总注册资本中投资是不规定上限的,但一般可以接受的最低投资额不少于25%,合资本企业双方按他们各自在注册资本中所占的份额分享利润,公担风险和亏损。

应该说明,按照中国合资企业法,合资企业双方一旦达成协议,合同双方必须向外国投资委员会提出申请批准双方共同签定的协议或合同以及所制定的公司章程。该委员会将在三个月内决定批准或不批准,当批准后,该合资企业向我国工商行政管理局办理登记,凭营业执照开始经营。

希望你们就上述问题尽早答复,收到你们的复信后我们即与有潜力的中方伙伴进行协商。

谨呈

译文:

Dear Sirs,

We are in receipt of your letter of September 25 expressing your interest in joint venture in manufacturing chemical fertilizers and requesting us to introduce to you Chinese partners who may be interested.

We have immediately contacted the persons responsible, who state that they welcome your participation but first of all like to know the approximate amount of your investment and in what form your contribution will be, i.e. in cash, capital goods or technology .They would also like to know if you agree to the project site being in a city other than Shanghai.

Our joint Venture Law places no upper limit on the share of the registered capital of a joint venture contributed by a foreigner although, generally speaking, the minimum amount acceptable with not be less than 25%.The profits, risks and losses of a joint venture shall be shared by the parties to the venture in proportion to their contribution to the registered capital.

It is advisable to state that according to China’s Joint Venture Law, once a joint venture has been concluded, the contracting parties will have to apply to the Foreign Investment Commission for authorization of the agreement or contract signed between the parties to the venture and of the articles of association of the venture formulated by them. The Commission shall authorize or reject these documents within three months. When authorized, the joint venture shall register with the Administration for Industry and Commerce of our government and start operation under licence.

We should appreciate your early reply to the questions enumerated above, on receipt of which we shall take the matter up with potential Chinese partners.

Yours faithfully


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