当接到一个英文合同翻译任务,这里一个herein,那里一个whereof,后面又来一个hereby,这些平时很少用到的词全集中在这一份合同里了,相信很多不熟悉法律翻译的小伙伴一定会一脸懵逼。法律翻译的内容全然与日常接触到的英文不是一个风格,觉得一头雾水也是可以理解的。对于这些困惑,今天我们先来一起看看合同英语中的常用词汇吧,译匠法律法庭精尖班对此也有涉及
先看看几个例句:
This contract is made this 19th of February,2014 by WFX Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Sellers")who agree to sell and HK Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Buyers"), who agree to buy the following goods on the terms and conditions as below.
本合同由WFX公司(以下简称"卖方")与HK公司(以下简称"买方")于2014年2月19日订立,双方同意按下述条件买卖下列货物。
The deposit paid by the Buyers shall not be refunded if the Buyers fail to make full payment within the time herein specified and the Buyers shall be liable for all losses incurred therefrom to the Sellers.
如果买方在规定的时间内未付清货款,买方的保证金将不予退还,而且买方应承担卖方由此产生的一切损失。
在翻译古体词的时候,应根据本意及上下文灵活掌握释义。例如在此例中, herein可以不必译出。或采用汉语的文言词例如"兹"、"之"、"鉴于"、"特"等进行翻译。
IN WITNESSTH WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Contract by their authorized representatives as of the date first above written.
兹特由双方授权的代表,于上述首开日期签署本合同为据。
此例中的"IN WITNESSTH WHEREOF"意思是"作为协议事项的证据",是格式化的合同语言,类似采用大写形式的还有:IN CONSIDERATION OF(考虑到,以为约因)、WHEREAS (鉴于)、IN THE PRESENCE OF (见证人)、NOWTHEREFORE(特此、兹特)、NOW THESE PRESENTS WITNESS(兹特立约为据)。
当然,类似这样运用大量"古体词"的句子在任何一本英文合同里都可以找出上百句来。于是我们整理了这么一个列表,如果将下述词汇全都理解透,相信各位一定会对法律英语有进一步的了解,至少能更顺利地阅读法律文本。
after this in sequence or in time, in some future time or state(此后,以下)
例句:
Both parties must agree to the terms specified hereunder.
双方均须同意以下条款。
by this means(以此方式,以此,特此)
例句:
I hereby acknowledge receipt of your letter of 25 July.
特此告知贵方7月25日的来函收悉。
from this fact or statement(由此,从此)
例句:
The organization, XXXX, will be liable for any economic and legal liability incurred herefrom.
XXX一方将承担由此产生的一切经济和法律责任。
in this document(此中,于此,在此文件中)
例句:
The statements and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the Wilson Centre.
本书中的陈述和观点为作者个人意见,不一定代表威尔逊中心的看法。
at a prior point in this writing or document(前文,上文)
例句:
Any tax or duty other than those described hereinabove, if any, be borne by the Buyer.
除上述的税务和关税外,如果产生其他的税务和关税, 应有买方负担。
in the following part of this writing or document(在下文)
例句:
These territories are hereinafter referred to as trust territories.
此项领土以下简称“托管领土”。
in the preceding part of this writing or document(在上文)
例句:
The hereinbefore is authentic and assures our business activities are legal.
以上所填内容属实,保证所从事的经济活动符合法律法规。
of this(就此,关于此)
例句:
The amount of each drawing must be endorsed on reverse hereof.
每笔汇票金额必须在信用证背面给予签注。
to this writing or document(对此,至此)
例句:
The Parties hereto reach an agreement in writing.
双方达成书面协议。
under or in accordance with this writing or document(在下面,在下文)
例句:
Please quote us your lowest price for the items listed hereunder.
请报下列商品的最低价。
with this communication;enclosed in this(同此,随信附上)
例句:
Please find two samples enclosed herewith.
寄上样品两种,请查收。
after that(此后,后来)
例句:
The commitment fee shall quarterly be paid from the date in the third month thereafter to the earlier day of the Disbursement Date and the Termination Date.
从其后第3个月的该日起开始按季支付承诺费至发放日与终止日中较早之日。
in or into that place,time,or thing(在那里,在其中)
例句:
A certificate of the Borrower shall, substantially, comply with the form set forth in Appendix 4, and the attachments specified therein.
借款人证明书,其格式基本上应遵照附录4及其附件规定的格式。
in the following part of that matter (as writing, document, or speech)(在下文)
例句:
All expenses and risks thereinafter shall be borne by your side.
此后一切所发生的风险和费用由你方承担。
of that(在其中)
例句:
When the Buyer is entitled to determine the time within a specified period and /or the place of taking delivery, the Buyer in question shall give the Seller the notice thereof.
买方有权确定在规定期限内提取货物的时间和/或地点时,应将有关信息通知卖方。
to that(此外,在其上)
例句:
The parties thereto shall, in good faith, comply with the decision and award of the arbitration tribunal.
双方须以良好诚信的态度遵守仲裁庭的决定。
under that part of a contract(在其下,按规定条款)
例句:
The Borrower fails to pay amount payable thereunder as amount shall become payable.
借款人未能支付根据该协议规定到期应付的款项。
with that(与此)
例句:
I therewith withdraw my complaints.
我同时撤回我的投诉。
by which(凭此,由此)
例句:
They voted to accept a deal whereby the union will receive nearly three-quarters of a million pounds from the International Miners Organisation.
他们表决同意了一项协议,根据这一协议工会将从国际矿工组织得到近75万英镑。
in which(在那方面)
例句:
Adequate housing is possible in developed, mixed economies wherein the interests of the poor have prevailed.
在发达的混合经济体中,充足的房源供给是可能的,在那里贫困阶层的利益较有保障。
of which(其中,有关的)
例句:
A contract made by an urban council, whereof the value and amount exceed X50, must be under seal, and certain other formalities must be observed.
由市政厅签署的合同,若其中涉及的金额和数量超过50倍,则须盖章并履行其他手续。
另外还顺便介绍下 5 个法律文件用语特点以飨读者。
使用正式的词语;使用具有不同意义的常用词;使用古英语和中古英语中常用担当代很少使用的词;使用外来词语;使用法律术语和行话、套话。
(1) 使用正式的词语(Formal)
合同中的正式用语:
例1:使用prior 代替before
From and after the date of this Agreement, Party A shall, and shall cause its affiliates and successors to, use the same efforts to maintain the confidentiality of any Confidential Information as Party A used to maintain the confidentiality of such information prior to the date hereof. (P.28)
自本协议之日起及其后,甲方应尽力并应促使其关联公司或承继人尽力对机密信息进行保密,一如其在本协议之日前为该等机密信息保密。
例2:使用subsequent代替after
No terms or provisions of this Agreement shall be varied or modified by anyprior or subsequent statement, conduct or act of either of the Parties, except that the Parties may amend this Agreement by written instruments referring to and executed in the same manner as this Agreement. (P.38)
任何一方均不得以先前或以后的声明、举动或行为修改或变更本协议的任何条款或规定,但双方可以以本协议提及的和以本协议相同方法签署的书面文件修改本协议。
例3:使用provided that 代替but
provided that the assignee agrees in writing to be bound by all the terms and conditions of this Agreement and provides documentation as evidence that the assignee has the ability and capability of meeting all of the obligations under this Agreement.
但受让方须书面同意受本协议所有条款和条件的约束, 并提供文件证明受让方有资格、有能力履行本协议项下的全部义务。
其他还有:construe(understand), deem(consider), operate, same, object to, whereas, without, prejudice等等。
宣誓书( affividat)的正式用语: being first duly sworn, depose and says; before me, a notary public。
例4: being first duly sworn:
I certify under penalty of perjury, or after first being duly sworn, that I have provided complete and accurate responses to the items on this application.
兹本人证明本申请内容准确,完善,如有不实,甘愿严守誓言或当受伪证罪之罚。
判决书的正式用语: Now therefore, It is ordered, adjudged, and decreed 做出判决。
(2) 使用具有不同意义的常用词
action (诉讼)、alienation (转让)、 avoid (取消)、 consideration(对价)、 counterpart(有同等效力的副本)、 execute(签署)、 hand(签名)、 instrument(法律文件)、 negligence(过失)、 party(一方)、 prejudice(损害)、 presents(本法律文件)。said(上述,该)、 save(除了)、 serve(送达)。
例1. action (诉讼)
The Licensee will, at the request of the Licensor and at the Licensor’s expense, give full cooperation to the Licensor in any action or claim brought or threatened to be brought in respect of the Licensed Trademarks, including joining in as a party to any proceedings.
对于就受许可商标提起或拟将提起的诉讼或索赔,应许可方要求并由许可方支付费用,被许可方将给予充分合作,包括作为当事人参与任何诉讼。
例2.
The rights conferred upon the respective parties by the provisions of this Clause are additional to and do not prejudice any other rights the respective parties may have.
本款规定赋予各方的权利,是对各方可能享有的其他权利的补充,而不是损害。
(3) 使用古英语和中古英语中常用担当代很少使用的词
古英语(Old English):公元约1100年前的英语
中古英语(Middle English): 元约1100年至1500年间的英语
其在法律英语中的使用主要表现在以 here, there 和 where 与介词合成的词:
如:- hereafter, herein, hereof, hereto, heretofore, hereunder, herewith;
- thereafter, thereat, thereby, therefore, therefrom, therein, thereof, thereon, thereto, theretofore, thereunder, therewith;
- whereas, whereby, wherein, whereof
此外还有 aforesaid, forthwith 及作形容词用的 said 和 such
例1 :thereafter
This Agreement shall take effect on the Effective Date and shall continue for a period of ten (10) years. This Agreement shall be automatically renewed for one-year terms thereafter unless and until terminated by either Party hereto by giving six (6) months' written notice to the other.
本协议自生效日起生效,有效期为十( 10)年。此后,除非一方提前六( 6)个月向另一方发出终止本协议的书面通知,本协议逐年自动延长一( 1)年。
例 2:therewith
Licensor shall have the right but not the obligation to bring, at its own expense, an infringement action against any third party and use Licensee’s name in connection therewith and to name Licensee as a party thereto.
许可方有权利但无义务针对任何第三方提起侵权诉讼,并在诉讼中使用被许可方的名称,以及指定被许可方为诉讼的当事人,诉讼费由许可方负担。
(4) 使用外来词语
外来词语是指拉丁语,有一些已经被吸收为英语
如:affidavit(宣誓书)、 alias(化名;别名)、 alibi(不在犯罪现场)
另外一些拉丁文有:
ad hoc(专门的;专门地)、 bona fide(真诚的,真诚地)、 de facto
(事实上的)、 in re(关于)、 inter alia(除了别的因素以外)、 mutatis
mutandis(在细节上作适当修正后)、 part passu(按相同比例)、 per se
(自身)、 pro bono(为了公益)、 pro rata(按比例)
例1.
We hereby engage with drawers and/or bona fide holder that drafts drawn and negotiated on presentation and that draft accepted within the terms of this credit will be duly honored at maturity.
兹对出票人及/或善意持票人保证,凡按本信用证开具及议付的汇票一经提交即予承兑;凡依本证条款承兑之汇票,到期即予照付。
(5) 使用法律术语和行话、套话
比较常见的术语:
l alibi(不在犯罪现场)、 appeal(上诉)、bail(保释)、 burden of proof(举证责任)、 cause of action(案由)、contributory negligence(与有过失)、 damages(损失赔偿金)l defendant(被告)、 due diligence(审慎调查)、 felony(重罪)l negotiable instrument(流通票据)、 novation (更替)、 plaintiff (原告)、 prejudice (损害)
套话:and for no other purposes, shall not operate as a waiver, shall not be deemed a consent, including but not limited to, or other similar or dissimilar causes, without prejudice to, nothing contained herein shall
例1:without prejudice to
a) any liability of the Company to any form of taxation whether created or imposed in the PRC or any other part of the world and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, includes any tax computed on profits or income, any tax computed on capital assets, estate duty, profits tax, provisional profits tax, interest tax, death duty, gift duty, payroll tax withholding tax, rates, custom and excise duty, transfer tax, inheritance tax, stamp duty, capital duty, employment taxes, value added tax, and generally any tax, imposition, levy or rates or any amount payable to the revenue, customs or fiscal authorities in any part of the world;
公司须缴纳的由中国或世界任何其他地区设置或征收的任何形式的税收,在不损害前述一般性原则的情况下,包括按利润或收入计征的税款、按资本资产计征的税款、财产遗产税、利润税、临时利润税、利息税、遗产税、赠予税、工资预扣税、税率、关税和消费税、过户税、继承税、印花税、资本税、就业税、增值税及一般应向世界上任何地区的税务、海关或财政机关缴纳的任何税收、进口税、税款、税费或任何款额;
此外:名词和代词有单数和复数形式,又有性别之分,为了防止所涉及的条款出现片面性解释,在合同的“定义和解释”部分,通常都有这样“以一概全”的固定句子:
Words in the singular Include the plural and vice versa(包括复数词的单数和反之亦然);
words used in the masculine gender include every gender(表示阳性的词包含每一个性别)
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