一、词义变换 在正常的情况下,在将原文翻译成译文时,译者只需按照原文中各个词的词典含义就能准确而地道地把原文翻译成译文。然而,在一些特殊情况下,尽管按照词典含义很意思对等地翻译,但在译文是其母语的人看来,这种译文总会让人觉得别扭,词的表达总是很不妥当。在这种情况下,译者就必须按照译文的表达习惯,改变词典含义,用地道的译文用词来表达原文作者的真正含义。 1、 Each Party shall have the right to change its legal or authorized representative and shall promptly notify the other Party of such change and the name, position and nationality of its new legal or authorized representative. 参 考译文:双方有权撤换其各自的法定代表人或授权代表,并应将新法定代表人或授权代表的姓名、职位和国籍及时通知另一方。
解释:在原文中的 “change”的原意为“变化”,但为了符合中文的表达习惯,将它翻译成“撤换”。
2、The Company may establish branch offices inside China and overseas with the consent of the Board and approval from the relevant governmental authorities. 参 考译文:合营公司经董事会决议并经有关政府机关批准可在国内外成立分支机构。
3、The purpose of the joint venture shall be to utilize the combined technological, management, operational and marketing strengths of the Parties within the approved scope of business of the Company to achieve good economic results and a return on investment satisfactory to the Parties.
4、Subject to Article 5.4(c) below, in the event that a Party fails to make its capital contribution, in whole or in part, in accordance with the provisions of this Contract, such Party shall be liable to pay simple interest to the Company at a rate equal to [default interest rate] per annum on the unpaid amount from the time due until the time the full outstanding amount including penalty interest is paid to and received by the Company.
5、When a Party has made all or any part of its contribution to the registered capital of the Company, a Chinese registered accountant appointed by the Board shall verify such contribution and issue a capital contribution verification report in the form required under Applicable Laws.
1、The Parties hereby agree to establish the Company promptly after the Effective Date in accordance with the EJV Law, the EJV Implementing Regulations, other Applicable Laws, and the provisions of this Contract.
解释:尽管原文中“in accordance with the EJV Law, the EJV Implementing Regulations, other Applicable Laws, and the provisions of this Contract.”等词作为状语被放在后面,但在译文中按照中文的习惯被放在了谓语的前面。
2、Neither Party shall have any liability to the Company except to the extent of its agreed capital contributions. The Company shall be liable to its creditors to the extent of its assets.
参考译文:任何一方仅以其出资额为限对合营公司承担责 任。合营公司应以其资产对其债权人承担责任。
解释:原文中的“except to the extent of its agreed capital contributions”和“to the extent of its assets”在句子后面,但在译文中,它们的对应中文翻译却在句子中间。
3、The Business Plan of the Company shall be established by the Board in view of actual market conditions, expected sales volumes, the employees' ability to absorb new technology and any other factors considered important by the Board.
解 释:原文中“in view of actual market conditions, expected sales volumes, the employees' ability to absorb new technology and any other factors considered important by the Board.”等词被放在句子的后面,而在译文中,却被放在了句子的中间。
4、 A Party may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of (each a "transfer") all or any part of its interest in the registered capital of the Company to any third party only with the prior written consent of the other Party, the approval of the Board and the approval of the Examination and Approval Authority.
解释:在原文中,“with the prior written consent of the other Party, the approval of the Board and the approval of the Examination and Approval Authority”等词和短语作为状语被放在了句子的后面,但在译文中,同样作为状语,被按照中文的表达习惯放在了句子的前面。
5、 If a Party (the "Assigning Party") proposes to transfer all or any part of its interest in the registered capital of the Company to a third party, the other Party shall have a pre-emptive right to purchase such interest at the price offered to the third party.
解释:原文中的 “a pre-emptive right to purchase such interest at the price offered to the third party”这个短句在译文中完全被译者按照中文的表达习惯调换了位置。但是,这样却通顺了多,符合了中国人的表达习惯。 法 律翻译之增词
1、Subject to Article 5.4(c) below, in the event that a Party fails to make its capital contribution, in whole or in part, in accordance with the provisions of this Contract, such Party shall be liable to pay simple interest to the Company at a rate equal to [default interest rate] per annum on the unpaid amount from the time due until the time the full outstanding amount including penalty interest is paid to and received by the Company.
2、Any interim or final Investment Certificate shall be signed by the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the Board and stamped with the Company seal, and shall certify the amount of registered capital contributed by such Party and the date on which such capital contribution was made.
1、If any guarantee is required as security for any external financing of the Company approved by the Board in accordance with Article 8.2(c)(v), and if the Parties agree to provide guarantees in relation to such financing, the Parties shall severally guarantee the obligations of the Company under such external financing in proportion to their respective interests in the registered capital of the Company at such time as the guarantee is given (unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties).
解释:在原文中,“such time as the guarantee is given”本来是个定语从句,但译者在对其进行翻译时,根据上下文意思和逻辑关系就直接把它翻译成了“当时”。尽管作者省略了一个从句,但并没有改变原文的意思。在经过这样的省词后,译文反而更加通顺,更加符合中文的表达习惯。
2、The growth of capitalism and the competition for domestic and international business have led to a never-ending stream of new business instruments and techniques and sophisticated markets, each with its own communication system, its trading rules and its procedures for clearance and settlement.
解释:原文中有“has led to”这个动词,但在译文中译者省略了它的中文对应词。译者这样的省略的目的是为了使译文更加通顺,更加符合中文的表达习惯。尽管译者这样省略,其译文并没有改变原文的意思。
3、With the abandonment of mercantilism and the grant of oversea state trading monopolies, paternalism gave way to private enterprise. It is a fact that in the development of our legal techniques for the accommodation of business transactions the legislature has, rather remarkably, played almost no part at all.
解释:原文 中,“With the abandonment of mercantilism and the grant of oversea state trading monopolies”这个短语是靠”with”的连接才成为主句的状语的,但是译者在翻译时却省略了”with”的作用,直接就将起所连接的词当作两个短语。在译文的整个句子中,这两个短语就和主句构成了一个前后时间相连的复句。
4、If the medieval lex mercatoria laid the foundations, its is the central courts, particularly from the eighteenth century onwards, that have fashioned the body of principles and rules making up modern English commercial law.
解释:原文 中,”making up”构成了“English commercial law”修饰“the body of principles and rules”的现在分词短语。但是译者在翻译时根据中文的表达习惯将其所隐含的中文含义给省略了。译者尽管这样省略,但没有将原文的意思缩小。 法 律翻译之宾语从句
1、For the purposes of each increase in the interest of Party B in the registered capital of the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Article 5.10, each Party shall: (i) procure that each director appointed by it will either attend a meeting of the Board and vote in favour of a Board resolution or sign a written resolution approving the transfer of the interest in the registered capital of the Company from Party A to Party B and/or the increase in the registered capital of the Company and the change in the Parties' respective interests in the registered capital of the Company (as the case may be); (ii) agree and enter into a transfer of equity interest agreement or a similar agreement setting out the terms of the transfer of interest in the registered capital of the Company based on the agreed terms set out in this Contract。
参考译文:为了使乙方每次依照第5.10 条规定增加其在合营公司注册资本中所占百分比得以实现,双方应: (i) 促使其委派的每一位董事参加董事会并就甲方向乙方转让出资以及/或对合营公司注册资本进行增资(以适用者为准)并改变双方在注册资本中所占份额的事宜投票赞成相关董事会决议或签署在董事间传阅的相关书面决议; (ii) 根据双方在本合同中达成一致的条款,同意并签署有关出资转让事宜的股权转让协议或类似协议。
解释:在该句原文中,译者就是按照原文的顺序 对其中的定语从句进行翻译的。
2、Licensor represents and warrants that as of the Effective Date, the Technical Information, Tools, Operating Software and associated documentation are sufficient to permit Licensee to manufacture the Licensee Products with the same or equivalent quality and functionality as that manufactured by Licensor in its own factories provided that Licensee employs in its manufacturing operations trained personnel, production equipment, materials, methods and procedures, and management of equal or equivalent skills, standards and capabilities as employed by Licensor in its factories
1、If the other Party does not exercise its pre-emptive right of purchase within [thirty (30)] days after delivery of such notice, such other Party shall be deemed to have consented to such transfer and covenants that it will sign all necessary documents in connection therewith and will cause the directors appointed by it to attend in person, by proxy or by telecommunications any Board meeting at which such transfer is to be considered and to vote in favor of a resolution approving such transfer or to sign a written resolution circulated in lieu of such a meeting of the Board, as the case may be.
解释:原文中的“any Board meeting at which such transfer is to be considered”这个定语从句就被译者按照中文的表达习惯被放在了修饰词“董事会”的前面。这样,在译文中,定语从句的中文译文成了一个短语。
2、 The purchase price for all or part of a Party's share of the registered capital of the Company shall be calculated by multiplying the value of the Company as determined above by the percentage of such Party's share of the registered capital to be transferred.
解释:原文中的“the value of the Company as determined above”其实也是一个定语从句,可用定语从句的第一种处理方式把它放在修饰词的前面。
3、In determining the amount of any reduction in the Company’s registered capital, the Parties may request an Independent Appraiser to perform a valuation of the Company using the Industry Valuation Method, and/or applying such other factors as the Parties mutually deem appropriate.
解释:原文中的 “such other factors as the Parties mutually deem appropriate”就是一个以factors为引导词的定语从句,在译文中译者运用第一种处理方式将从句放在了被修饰词的前面。
4、 Subject to the approval of the Examination and Approval Authority, if at any time Applicable Laws or the policies of the relevant government authorities permit a foreign investor to hold an equity interest greater than that currently held by Party B in the Company in the [describe industry sector] industry, undertaking equivalent or similar business to that of the Company, Party B shall have the option (but not the obligation), by notice to Party A given at any time, to increase its percentage interest in the registered capital of the Company to a percentage specified by Party B, which shall be any percentage up to and including the maximum permissible under Applicable Laws of the PRC or policies of the government authorities at the time of exercise (the "Party B Equity Step-up Option").
解释:原文中的“which shall be any percentage up to and including the maximum permissible under Applicable Laws of the PRC or policies of the government authorities at the time of exercise”是一个修饰“percentage”的非限制性定语从句,对被修饰词“percentage”起到一种补充说明的作用。一般来说,对非限制性定语从句,译者在对起进行翻译时将之放在整个句子的后,这样会对被修饰词起到一种补充说明的作用。这种处理方式也就是前面所说的第二种处理方式。在该句中,译者就是按照定语从句的第二种方式来处理的。
5、Party B [on the basis of a State-owned asset valuation of the interest in the registered capital of the Company held by Party A by the Independent Appraiser (adjusted to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws as [agreed by the Parties] [determined by Party B in its absolute discretion]) and record filed with SASAC or the relevant Finance Authorities (as appropriate) and which is, in form and substance, acceptable to Party B.]
解释:在原句中,有五个定语 从句,“adjusted to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws”、“as [agreed by the Parties”和“determined by Party B in its absolute discretion”这三个定语从句的被修饰词是“State-owned asset valuation”,“held by Party A”这个定语从句修饰“the interest in the registered capital of the Company”,而“which is, in form and substance, acceptable to Party B”这个定语从句的被修饰词也是“the interest in the registered capital of the Company”。译者在翻译这些定语从句时,根据上下文的意思和中文的表达习惯,既有把它们的一部分放在被修饰词的前面,也有把它们当中的另一部分放在了后面,甚至将其最后一个定语从句独立出来被当作状语被放到了谓语动词的前面。
1、The valuation determined by the Independent Appraiser shall be the valuation adopted by the Parties for purposes of this provision save that where the valuation is a State-owned asset valuation required by Applicable Laws, the Parties may agree an adjustment to such valuation where and to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws.
解释:原文中的“where the valuation is a State-owned asset valuation required by Applicable Laws”状语从句,在译文中就按照中文的表达习惯和逻辑关系被翻译成了“如果相关法律就国有资产的保全另有规定”。其中“save that”的本意是“除了…之外”,但根据中文的表达习惯和逻辑关系,在译文中被翻译成了“但是”。整个句子被翻译成两个句子,两个句子之间的关系是一种转折关系。这样,译文既表达了作者的原意,又达到了译文必须通顺大的目的。
2、Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) of this Article 5.6 above, the Assigning Party may transfer all or part of its amount of the registered capital of the Company to an Affiliate (the “Affiliate Assignee”) of the Assigning Party on the following conditions:
解释: 原文中的“Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) of this Article 5.6 above”尽管只是一个短语,但根据上下文的意思和逻辑关系以及中文的表达习惯,在译文中它还是被翻译成了一种让步状语从句。
3、 the Assigning Party shall acknowledge and agree that to the extent that the Affiliate Assignee fails to perform any obligation hereunder, the Assigning Party is not released from, and remains jointly and severally liable with the Affiliate Assignee for, the full performance of the provisions of this Contract and any damages for the breach thereof.
解释:在原文中,“to the extent that”的原意是指“在…范围内”,但在译文中,译者按照上下文意思和前后文的逻辑关系,将之翻译为“如果….,则…”。
4、The Parties acknowledge that if the Company achieves the operations, revenue and earnings targets anticipated by the Parties, one or more increases in the registered capital of the Company will be required to support the expansion of the Company's business.
5、In the event that the Company’s operations are reduced substantially from the scale of operation originally anticipated by the Parties, or the Company experiences substantial and continuing losses resulting in negative retained earnings not anticipated by the Parties in the agreed Business Plan, or in any other circumstance permitted under Applicable Laws or agreed by the Parties, the Parties may agree to reduce the registered capital of the Company on a pro rata basis.
解释:在英文法律英语中,if、in the event that、in the case that、where等词一般来说都表示一种条件关系。在翻译这种条件关系的句子时,一般都将之翻译为条件关系状语从句。在该句中,译者就将之翻译为以 “如果…则…”为关系词的条件状语从句。
6、The Chairman, following consultation with the Vice Chairman, shall decide on the timing and location of such interim Board meeting, provided that such interim Board meeting shall be held not less than [fifteen (15)] days and not more than [forty-five (45)] days following delivery of such request.
7、The fees of the expert shall be paid by [the Company] [the Parties pro rata to their respective interests in the registered capital of the Company unless the expert determines that the conduct of one Party in relation to the matter in question is so egregious that it alone should pay the fees of the expert].
8、Given the requirement that all transfers of registered capital must be approved by the original examination and approval authority, and because such original examination and approval authority will require signed consents, waivers of pre-emptive rights and unanimous board resolutions, it is very difficult to achieve and put into effect a deemed consent to any transfer as provided in this Article 5.6(b).
9、As a general principle, the Chinese name of a joint venture should not begin with Chinese characters denoting “China”, “State” or “international”, and the English name of the joint venture typically also cannot include such designations either since the English name (although not subject to approval and registration) usually is translated literally in accordance with the Chinese characters.
10、If the respective managers of the Parties fail to resolve the Deadlock Matter within [five (5)] Business Days after the Deadlock Matter is referred to them under Article 8.4(a), the Parties shall, immediately upon the expiry of such [five (5)]-Business Day period, refer the Deadlock Matter to the Group Managing Director of Party B and the equivalent officer of Party A for their resolution.
11、When any dispute occurs and is the subject of friendly consultations or arbitration, the Parties shall continue to exercise their remaining respective rights and fulfil their remaining respective obligations under this Contract, except in respect of those matters under dispute.