合同英语培训教材.doc

合同英语培训教材 (本教材内容由作者在参考大量网上资料并根据自身对合同英语的理解而作，其中大部分内容节选自不同文章和书籍。本培训教材仅供内部培训使用。)合同英语是法律英语的一种，对于从事专业翻译的人员来说，这也是最为常见一种文体形式。由于合同英语相对科技英语、文学类英语等其它文体有着明确的区别，因此要想做好合同翻译，首先对合同英语一些基本特点进行学习和掌握是非常必要。本培训教材就旨为译员提供有关合同英语的一些基本特点和翻译中的一些基本技巧和注意事项。限于篇幅关系，本文不再就合同的定义作进一步的讲解，而直接探讨合同英语本身的一些特点。本文将从以下几个方面对合同英语进行讲述：（一）合同用语（二）合同结构（三）合同语法（一）合同用语合同英语属于法律英语的范畴，由于合同本身要求的严谨性、准确性、权威性，合同英语的用词也因此极其考究，具有特定性，比如使用正式的法律用词；大量使用there系和here系等古英语；同义词连用。但总的说成，合同英语在用词上有以下特点：准确（accurate）、正式（formal）、专业化（professional）。（1）用词准确A情态动语的选用May, shall, must ,may not (或shall not) 的使用May, shall , must ,may not (或shall not)对学过英语的人再熟悉不过，但在合同中用这些词时要极其谨慎。权利义务的约见定部分构成了合同的主体。这几个词如选用不当，可能会引起纠纷。may 旨在约定当事人的权利（可以做什么），Shall约定当事人的义务（应当做什么时候）， must 用于强制性义务（必须做什么），may not (或shall not)用于禁止性义务（不得做什么）。May do 不能说成can do， shall do,不能说成should do 或ought to do， may not do 在美国一些法律文件可以用shall not，但绝不能用can not do或must not ) 例如，在约定解决争议的途径时的，可以说The parties hereto shall, first of all, settle any dispute arising from or in connection with the contract by friendly negotiations.Should such negotiations fail, such dispute may be referred to the Peoples Court having jurisdiction on such dispute for settlement in the absence of any arbitration clause in the disputed contract or in default of agreement reached after such dispute occurs.本句中的shall 和may表达准确。出现争议后应当先行协商，所以采用了义务性“约定”，如果协商解决不了，作为当事人的权利，用选择性约定may也很妥当。如果may和shall调换位置，意思就完全发生了变化。 本句可译：双方首先应通过友好协商，解决因合同而发生的或与合同有关的争议。如果协商未果，合同中又无仲裁条款约定或争议发生后未就仲裁达成协议的，可将争议提交有管辖权的人民法院解决。B同义词&近义词连用 FOR value RECEIVED，the undersigned does hereby sell, transfer, assign and set over to _ all his right, tile and interest in and to a certain contract dated _, 19_ by and between the undersigned and _，a copy of which is annexed hereto. 在这里的同义词和近义词并列（如sell, transfer, assign and set over，right和 tile and interest），在英文合同里十分普遍。这是出于严谨和杜绝漏洞的考虑，有的也属于合同用语的固定模式。如： This agreement is made and entered into by and between Party A and Party B.句中“made and entered into”和“by and between”两组分别属于同义词和相关词并列。For and in consideration of mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows: 句中“for and in consideration of ”， “covenants and agreements”三组同义司和近义词并列。 The parties have agreed to vary the Management on the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein. 这里的“on the terms”和“subject to the conditions”是一个意思都表示“依照本协议的条款规定”。合同条款的固定模式是“terms and conditions” 再例如：“Party A wishes to be released and discharged from agreement as from the effective date”，一句中的“release”和“discharge”意思几乎相同。 并列的词还有：ships and vessels support and maintenance licenses and permits charges, fees, costs and expenses any and all any duties, obligations or liabilities the partners, their heirs, successors and assignees control and management of the partnership applicable laws, regulations, decrees, directives, and rules （2）正式用语（formal term） 合同英语有着严肃的风格，与其它英语作品有很大不同。例如：A多用书面语“因为”的短语多用“by virtue of ，远远多于“due to”一般不用“because of ”； “财务年度末”一般用“at the close of the fiscal year”，而不用“in the end of the fiscal year”；“在之前”一般用“prior to”，而不用“before”；“关于”常用“as regards”， “concerning”或“relating to”，而不会用“about”； “事实上”用“in effect”，而不用“in fact”；“开始”用“commencement”,而不用“start”或“begin”；“停止做”用“cease to do”，而不用“stop to do”；“何时开会并由某某主持”的表述为：The meeting shall be convened and presided by sb.其中“召开”不用“hold 或call”，而用“convene”； “主持”不用“chair”或“be in charge of ”，而用“preside”； “其他事项”用“miscellaneous”, 而不用“other matters/events”；“理解合同”用“construe a contract” 或“comprehend a contract”，而不用“understand a contract”; “认为”用“deem”，用“consider”少，不用“think”或“believe”； “愿意做”用“intend to do”或“desire to do”，而不用“want to do”, “wish to do”。B拉丁语等外来语的使用在国外合同中，拉丁词仍然是很常见： 比例税率：用pro rate tax rate要比proportional tax rate多 从事慈善性服务的律师：pro bono lawyer，不怎么用lawyer engaged in charitable legal assistance 委托代理人：多用agent ad litem 按照：as per通过：ViaC古英语的使用（重点掌握）合同中多使用here，there，where等前缀，而这类英语目前也基本只在合同英语和其它法律文件中出现，比如下列词语：hereafter = after this time; 今后hereby = by means/reason of this; 特此herein = in this; 此中，于此hereinafter = later in this contract; 在下文thereafter = afterwards; 此后，后来thereby = by that means; 因此；由此；在那方面therein = from that; 在那里；在那点上thereinafter = later in the same contract; 以下；在下文whereby = by what; by which; 由是；凭那个wherein = in what; in which; 在哪里；在哪点上在这里，我们将以上语语分成如下两大类：第一类：here介词第一类以here开头，后面再加上一个介系词的传统用字，在英文合约里经常可以看到，大概包括hereunder、hereto、hereby、hereof、herein等等这几个字。依照作者的看法，这是比较容易处理的一类，因为只要读者记住一个简单的原则：here介系词 = 介系词this agreement，就几乎可以解读所有的第一类用语了。以下来详细看看这个原则的运用情形。（注意：hereinafter在定义条款中用来表示以下简称.的意思，虽然也用here为前缀，但与这里所说的传统用语无关）- hereunder = under this agreementhereunder用under this agreement代替后，就很清楚地可以了解是在本合约内、依据本合约的意思。常和这个字结合的概念有如下几个例子：例子解读后等于译文obligations hereunderobligations under this agreement本合约内的义务rights granted hereunderrights granted under this agreement依本合约所赋予的权利payment due hereunderpayment due under this agreement依本合约应付的价款notice required to be given hereundernotice required to be given under this agreement依本合约所应给予的通知因为英文文法里对介系词to有某些一定的用法（例如动词attach后面接受词时，就要用介系词to），所以这个字最常出现在英文合约里的状况，就是和当事人以及附件两个概念相结合：例子解读后等于译文both parties heretoboth parties to this agreement本合约之当事人双方items specified in Attachment I heretoitems specified in Attachment I to this agreement本合约之附件I所列之各项 - hereby = by this agreementhereby中文大概可以说是在此、依此的意思，表示当事人借着这个合约，要宣示某种具有法律上效力的意思表示，例如保证、同意、放弃权利等等。例子解读后等于译文The Company hereby covenants and warrants that. By this agreement the Company covenants and warrants that. 公司在此保证.Both parties hereby agree that.By this agreement both parties agree that.双方当事人在此同意.- hereof = of this agreement; herein = in this agreementhereof和herein与前面介绍过的hereunder、hereto以及hereby比较起来，可能的用法与场合较广泛，所连接的概念也比较没有固定性，同时在很多情况下hereof和herein相互代换使用，意思上并不会有很大的差别。由于of和in是比较普通易懂的介系词，只要读者继续掌握前面一贯的原则，应该不会有什么理解上的困难。举例： 解读后等于： 中文翻译：例子解读后等于译文to file a suit in the court agreed to herein to file a suit in the court agreed to in this agreement 向本合约中商定的管辖法院提起诉讼 to follow the terms and conditions hereinto follow the terms and conditions in this agreement 遵守本合约所规定的条件第二类：“there”+介词与the same以there为前缀再加上介词，例如thereof、thereto等用语以及the same这一类的用语比较不容易处理，因为上面介绍的原则无法直接套用，而必须靠读者自己依照合约的上下文来判断。我们来看看下面两个例子：例一： No change in or modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same is made in writing. （本约之修改需以书面为之，始生效力。）例二： This Agreement is written in the English language. In case of any discrepancy between the English version and any translation thereof, the English text shall govern. （本约以英文订定，与其它语言之翻译版本解释上生差异者，以英文为主。）读者从上下文应该可以推敲出来，例一里的the same指的是合约的修改，也就是前面的change in or modification of this Agreement这些字句，合约撰写人为了避免文句重复造成阅读负担与篇幅冗长，于是就简单用the same两个字来代替。（换句话说，如果不用the same的方法，整句话应该是：No change in or modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless the change in or modification of this Agreement is made in writing.）至于例二里的thereof，也可以从上下文看出来是代替 of the English version 这几个字。这和第一类的hereof其实有类似的解读方法，但是hereof的here通常都可以用this agreement来代替，但是 thereof 的 there 要用什么代替，就没有一定的规则了，在例二there代替的是the English version，在别的地方却又代替其它的概念，这就是第二类用语为什么较第一类来得困难的原因了。上面举的两个例子，其实都算是比较容易掌握的条款，有些英文合约里将thereof、the same等字眼大量运用在各种不同的地方，究竟代表什么意义，除了细心推敲上下文，灵活思考该合约所要规范的法律逻辑关系外，恐怕还得靠读者累积大量的英文合约处理经验，以及平时一般英语分析能力的加强，才有办法得心应手了。三、用词专业（technical terms）合同用词不以大众是否理解和接受为转移，它是合同语言准确表达的保障。如合同出现的“瑕疵”、 “救济”、 “不可抗力”、 “管辖”、“损毁”、 “灭失”等就可能让非行业人士费解，在英语以上表达分别为defect、remedy、force majuere/Act of God、jurisdiction、damage and/or loss)。另外几乎每个合同都少不了hereinafter referred to as , whereas, in witness whereof, for and on behalf of , hereby, thereof 等虚词。这也是合同英语的一大特色。其它例子还有：“赔偿”用“indemnities”，而不用“compensation” “不动产转让”用“conveyance”，而不用“transfer of real estate” “房屋出租”用“tenancy”，而“财产出租”用“lease of property” “停业”用“wind up a business”或“cease (名词是cessation) a business”,而不用“end/stop a business” 专利许可中的“特许权使用费”只用“royalities” 还款或专利申请的“宽限期”英文“grace”, “当事人在破产中的和解”用“composition”。Composition：【法律】和解：债权人之间在债务人面临破产时所达成的协议，通常要求债务人立即提供一定数量的金钱对价作为回报，债权人收到各自款项后立即撤回请求，此款项一般要少于他们所要求的实际数额以实物出资为“investment in kind” “依照合同相关规定”一般说“pursuant to provisions contained herein”或“as provided herein”等，不说“according to relevant terms and conditions in the contract” “合同任何一方当事人不得转让本合同”英文表述为“Neither party hereto may assign this contract”，其中“hereto”表示“to the contract”，选用“Neither party to the contract”较少。 以下是一些常见的合同用语1. WHEREAS 鉴于正式而重要的合同，尤其是英美法系的合同，多用它在前文中引出签约背景和目的，起连词作用：WHEREAS the Employer is desirous that manpower can be rendered available for the construction of High-Rise Residential Complex in Baghdad, Iraq; 鉴于雇主欲请劳动力建造伊拉克巴格达的高层住宅综合大楼；WHEREAS the Contractor is desirous to provide the manpower for the Works;鉴于承包人想为此工程提供劳动力；2. WITNESS 证明在合同前文中常用作首句的谓语动词： This Agreement, made by .WITNESSES WHEREAS., it is agreed as follows:本协议由签订证明：鉴于特此达成协议如下：3. IN WITNESS WHEREOF 作为所协议事项的证据：该短语常用于合同的结尾条款： IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Contract in duplicate by their duly authorized representatives on the date first above written.作为所协议事项的证据，双方授权代表于上面首次写明的日期正式签订本协议一式两份。4. IN CONSIDERATION OF 以为约因/报酬约因是英美法系的合同有效成立要件之一，没有则合同不能依法强制履行。但是，大陆法系的合同则无此规定。Now Therefore, in consideration of the premises and the covenants herein, contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:兹以上述各点和契约所载条款为约因，订约双方协议如下：In consideration of the payment to be made by Party A to Party B, Party B hereby covenants with Party A to complete the building in conformity with the provisions of the Contract. 乙方特此立约向甲方保证按合同规定完成工程建设，以取得甲方所付的报酬。5. NOW, THEREFORE 兹特此短语用于WHEREAS条款之后引出具体协议事项的常用开头语，并与其后hereby的结合。如果无WHEREAS条款，则本短语可省略：NOW, THEREFORE, its hereby agreed and understood as follows；兹特协议和谅解如下：6. NOW THESE PRESENTS WITNESS 兹特立约为据本句话也是用于WHEREAS条款之后引出具体协议事项。PRESENTS = the present writings 是主语，WITNESS是谓语：NOW THESE PRESENTS WITNESS that it is hereby agreed between the parties hereto as follows: 兹特立约为据，并由订约双方协议如下：7. IN THE PRESENCE OF 见证人本短语只在有见证人时使用在订约双方当事人签名的下方由见证人签名作证，一般是相关的律师（Attorney）或公证处（Notary Public）:IN THE PRESENCE OF the parties hereto have hereunder set their respective hands and seals:作为协议事项的证据，订约双方各自签名盖章如下：For and on behalf the first Party（甲方代表）：The EMPLOYER （雇主）Capacity （职位） In the Presence of （见证人） Capacity （职位）Address （地址）For and on behalf of the Second party（乙方代表）:The CONTRACTOR （承包人） Capacity （职位）In the Presence of （见证人） Capacity （职位）Address （地址）5. 拉丁词在国外合同中，拉丁词仍然是很常见： 比例税率：用pro rate tax rate要比proportional tax rate多 从事慈善性服务的律师：pro bono lawyer，不怎么用lawyer engaged in charitable legal assistance 委托代理人：多用agent ad litem （二）合同结构有人曾经说过，写合同如同打太极拳，首先要有一个正确的架势，只有姿势正确，动作流畅才能提高太极水平。同样，写合同最重要的一点就是要结构要正确，只有在结构正确的前提下，才有可能写出正规，正确的合同。由于合同本身的特殊性，其结构相对固定。所以，以下对常见的合同格式进行了举例说明。合同类法律文件用以规定当事人的权利与义务，是预防与解决争议的依据。合同英语行文慎密而准确，历史悠久，深含法律文化底蕴。中文的合同开头一般先罗列当事人的名称、姓名、住所或营业场所，然后是合同正文，结尾是当事人印章、授权代表签字、职务及签字日期。而英语合同一般以下面这类句式为开头：This agreement/contract is made and entered in to this _ day of _(month), _ (year) by and between Party A (hereinafter called Party A )and Party B(hereinafter called Party B ) 然后是开始陈述：WHEREASTHEREFORE It is hereby agreed as follows: 或以：WITNESSETH, WHEREAS NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:接着是正文，最后是证明部分： IN WITNESS WHEREOF，the parties hereto have hereunto set their hands the day and years first above written.随后还包括当事人和见证人的签字。签字日期一般在英文合同最搬弄是非是找不到的。 下面列出新加坡、美国、香港和日本的合同格式。 A. 新加坡AgreementTHIS AGREEMENT is made the 9th day of August, 2001 between LUCKY INTERNATIONAL LTD, a company incorporated in Singapore and having its registered office at Telek Blongar Rise, Singapore 19569 (hereinfater called The Company) of the part and JACK Wong (NRIC No._ /A) of 108 Orchar Road, Singapore 01688 (hereinafter called The Mangager) of the other part. WHEREAS: 1. The company is engaged in IT business and requires a person with the necessary qualifications and experience to manage its business. 2. . NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:1. The company shall employ the Manager and the Manager shall serve the Company as manager of the Companys IT business for a period of two years commencing on 1st day of September 2. . IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have set their hand the day and year first above written. THE SCHEDULE ABOVE REFERRED TO Duties of Manger 1. To manage, maintain and promote the business of the Company.2. 3. SIGNED by Roger Tan For and on behalf of LUCKY INTERANTIONAL LTD In the presence of SIGNED by TERESA WONG In the presence of 新加坡的通用合同分五部分： 第一部分：称为parties，合同双方。主要介绍合同各方的姓名或名称，注册地国及地址、邮编及各自在合同的简称。开头框架一般为：THIS AGREEMENT is made the -_ day of _ （month）,_ (year) between A _ (hereinafter called The Company) of the part and B_, (hereinafter called The Manager) of the other part. 句子开头THIS AGREEMENT或CONTRACT和当事人的姓名和名称，都应大写。当事人是自然人的，用“of”和其后的住址相连；是法人或非法人单位的，用“having its registered office at”和其后注册地址相连。 第二部分：称为recital，陈述。以WHEREAS开头，进入叙述部分，用陈述正式说明当事人订立合同的原因。 第三部分：称为habendum，正文。具体约定当事人的权利和义务。正文部分的结束段为：IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have set their hand the day and year first above written. 这段作用相当于中文合同的“双方签字盖章，特此为证”。 第四部分：称为schedule或addendum，附录。是对前述合同部分条款的必要补充。不是所有合同都有这一项。 第五部分：称为attestation，证明。当事人如果为自然人，用“SIGNED by _” ，后接见证人姓名的表达部分“In the presence of _”；当事人是法人或非法人单位时，授权代表后接的是“SIGNED for and on behalf _ of_”，然后才是In the presence of _。与中文合同的显著不同是签章处除当事人外，多了一个In the presence of _供证人签字之处。另一不同的是合同订立日期没有放在合同最后，而是出现在开头段的当事人介绍部分。 第五部分在新加坡还有另一种表达“ As Witness our Hands this _day of _，in the year of our Lord Tow Thousand and One. Signed, sealed, and delivered by the above named In the presence of Signature Address Occupation上述合同的格式很有代表性，其它英文格式与之相比大同大异，有的合同中不含附录。B. 美国APPOINTMENT AS CONTRACT FULL-TIME SENIOR CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATORAN AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES made the 1st day of September, 2000 between _ of _ (address)(hereinafter referred to as the Company) as one part and Mr._ of _(address) (hereinafter referred to as the Contractor) of the other part. WHEREBY IT IS AGREED AND DECLARED AS FOLLOWS:1. THAT the Company shall 2. This agreement shall commence on . 3. 4. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, both parties set their hands on the date herein mentionedSIGNED BY Name : Designation : For and on behalf of : (signature)Contractor : Designation : For and on behalf of : (signature)本合同分为四个大部分（缺附录，schedule）。与上一合同基本相同，但第一段没有谓语，不是个完整的句子。个别用词与前一合同有差别。最后落款处还多了了“职务”，即designation(有的合同还惯用position).C. 香港CONTRACT CONTACT NO. SIGNING DATE/PLACETHE BUYER: Name Legal Address ContactTHE SELLER: Name Legal Address ContactThis contract is made by and between the Buyer and the Seller.Whereby the Buyer agrees o buy and the Seller agrees to sell theunder-mentioned commodity according to the terms and conditions.1. NAME OF COMMODITY AND SCOPE OF THE CONTRACT 2. PRICE 3. PAYMENT4. PACKING 5.IN WITHNESS WHEREOF, this contract has been executed effective as of the date first above written.THE BUYER THE SELLER _ _ By:_ By:_ Date:-_ Date:-_THE END USER _By: _ Date: -_-_比起前两个合同，该买卖合同的不同之处于在于，合同开头出现了合同编号和签署日期，当事人名称或姓名采用简单列举式。证明部分用完成时被动态，最后落款处SIGNEDBY项目，但增加了最终用户一项。D. 日本SERVICE AGREEMENTThis agreement is made and entered into on March 1st ,2001, by and between_ LTD (hereinafter referred to as PARTY A), and _CO., LTD. (hereinafter referred to as PARTY B)WITNESSTH: WHEREAS, PARTY B has requested by PARTY A to dispatch its personal for the purpose of _ to PARTY b; and WHEREAS, (PARTY A is willing to dispatch its personnel t PARTY B in response to such PARTY Bs request) NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants herein contained , the parties hereto agree as follows:1.2. 3.IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first herinabove written. _ Ltd. _ Co., Ltd.(signature) (signature) MANAGING DIRECTOR MANAGING DIRECTOR该合同也由四大部分构成，与上述合同最大的不同在于，在叙述部分上端加了一个WITNESSETH（鉴于），最后落款处也没有SIGNED BY 项目，但授权签字代表的职位真接打出来，放在签字的下一行。别外，当事人的简称部分用的都是大写。 相比之下，英文合同除个别地方外，整个合同的段落排列，句式和用词大同小异。在草拟英文合同时，只要仿用上述任何一个，都算是地道的英文表达。（三）合同语法1多用陈述句英语句子