商務合同英語的用詞極其考究,具有特定性。要求選詞專業化(professional)、正式(formal)、準確(accurate)。具體體現在下列方面:
4、同義詞、近義詞、相關詞的序列
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.
在這裡的同義詞和近義詞並列(如sell,transfer,assign and set over,right和 tile and interest),在英文合同裡十分普遍。這是出於嚴謹和杜絕漏洞的考慮,有的也屬於合同用語的固定模式。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」兩組分別屬於同義詞和相關詞並列。
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」兩組同義司和近義詞並列。
The parties have agreed to vary the Management on the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein. 這裡的「on the terms」和「subject to the conditions」是一個意思都表示「依照本協議的條款規定」。合同條款的固定模式是「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」意思幾乎相同。
並列的詞還有:
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 assigns
control and management of the partnership
applicable laws, regulations, decrees, directives, and rules
5、拉丁詞
在國外合同中,拉丁詞仍然是很常見:
比例稅率:用pro rate tax rate要比proportional tax rate多
從事慈善性服務的律師 :pro bono lawyer,不怎麼用lawyer engaged in charitable legal assistance
委託代理人:多用agent ad litem