工作中多多少少會接觸到一些英文法律文本,這其中最多的就是合同。就像英音和美音的最大區別就在於那個"r"音,英文合同文本和日常的書面表達最明顯的區別也許就是那個頻繁出現的"shall"吧。
除此之外,herein, therein, wherein……這些你最"熟悉的陌生人"一定也讓你看到合同就煩躁。為此,本期將和大家分享這些英文合同裡出現頻率極高的"古體詞"。希望能幫助各位滬友在之後能更順利閱讀英文法律文本。
一個問題:為何在法律文本中要用這些日常生活中幾乎不用的"古體詞"?原因其實也很簡單:更正式!想想中文裡"茲證明","特此"之類的字眼就能想體會了。
先看看幾個例句:
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(以下簡稱"賣方")與HJ公司(以下簡稱"買方")於2014年2月19日訂立,雙方同意按下述條件買賣下列貨物。
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.
如果買方在規定的時間內未付清貨款,買方的保證金將不予退還,而且買方應承擔賣方由此引起的一切損失。
在翻譯古體詞的時候,應根據本意及上下文靈活掌握釋義。例如在此例中, herein可以不必譯出。或採用漢語的文言詞例如"茲"、"之"、"鑑於"、"特"等進行翻譯。
IN WITNESSTH WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Contract by their authorized representatives as of the date first above written.
茲特由雙方授權的代表,於上述首開日期和籤署本合同為據。
此例中的"IN WITNESSTH WHEREOF"意思是"作為協議事項的證據",是格式化的合同語言,類似採用大寫形式的還有:IN CONSIDERATION OF(考慮到,以為約因)、WHEREAS (鑑於)、IN THE PRESENCE OF (見證人)、NOWTHEREFORE(特此、茲特)、NOW THESE PRESENTS WITNESS(茲特立約為據)。
當然,類似這樣運用大量"古體詞"的句子在任何一本英文合同裡都可以找出上百句來。於是我們整理了這麼一張表格,如果全都能理解透,相信各位滬友一定能在之後對法律英語有進一步的了解,至少能更順利閱讀法律文本。
hereafterafter this in sequence or in time, in some future time or state(此後,以後)
herebyby this means(以此方式,以此,特此)
herefromfrom this fact or statement(由此,從此)
hereinin this document(此中,於此,在此文件中)
hereinaboveat a prior point in this writing or document(前文)
hereinafterin the following part of this writing or document(在下文)
hereinbeforein the preceding part of this writing or document(在上文)
hereofof this(就此,關於此)
heretoto this writing or document(對此,至此)
hereunderunder or in accordance with this writing or document(在下面,在下文)
herewithwith this communication;enclosed in this(同此,以此)
thereafterafter that(此後,後來)
therebyby that means(按此)
therefromfrom that(從此,從那裡)
thereinin or into that place,time,or thing(在那裡,在其中)
thereinafterin the following part of that matter (as writing, document, or speech)(在下文)
thereofof that(在其中)
theretoto that(此外,在其上)
thereunderunder that part of a contract(在其下,按規定條款)
therewithwith that(與此)
wherebyby which(按,靠那個)
whereinin which(在那方面)
whereofof which(關於那個)
whereonon what(因此,在什麼上面)
wheretoto what place, purpose or end(何以,向何處,為什麼)
whereundcrunder what(在其下,在那下面)
新東方熱報課程:
(責任編輯:何瑩瑩)