由于法律語言邏輯性很強,所以作者在寫法律語言時一般都表現處比較明顯的邏輯關系。而邏輯關系比較常見的表現方式時狀語從句。英語中的狀語從句一般包括條件狀語從句、轉折狀語從句、時間狀語從句、因果狀語從句等。下面贏在威客網小編為你介紹法律英語翻譯技巧。
在翻譯這幾種狀語從句時,可以根據它們的邏輯關系和中文表達習慣來進行翻譯。在表達中文譯文時,可以用中文中所對應的一些關系詞,如因為…所以…,如果…則…,盡管…但是…,在….時…,在…之前或之后…,但是等。此外,在對這幾種狀語從句進行翻譯時,可對譯文的語序進行適當調整,當然有時也不需要調整。
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.
參考譯文:在本條中,由獨立評估師確定的價值為雙方認定的合營公司價值。但如果相關法律就國有資產的保全另有規(guī)定,雙方可同意對上述評估價值在相關法律允許的范圍內進行調整。
解釋:原文中的“where the valuation is a State-owned asset valuation required by Applicable Laws”狀語從句,在譯文中就按照中文的表達習慣和邏輯關系被翻譯成了“如果相關法律就國有資產的保全另有規(guī)定”。其中“save that”的本意是“除了…之外”,但根據中文的表達習慣和邏輯關系,在譯文中被翻譯成了“但是”。整個句子被翻譯成兩個句子,兩個句子之間的關系是一種轉折關系。這樣,譯文既表達了作者的原意,又達到了譯文必須通順大的目的。
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:
參考譯文:盡管有上述5.6 條(a)、(b)款的規(guī)定,轉讓方可將持有的合營公司注冊資本份額部分或全部按下列條款轉讓給其某一關聯(lián)機構(“關聯(lián)受讓方”):
解釋:原文中的“Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) of this Article 5.6 above”盡管只是一個短語,但根據上下文的意思和邏輯關系以及中文的表達習慣,在譯文中它還是被翻譯成了一種讓步狀語從句。
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.
參考譯文:轉讓方應承諾如果關聯(lián)受讓方未能履行本合同項下的義務,轉讓方并不因此解除該義務,仍對本合同條款的全部履行和任何違約所致的損失與關聯(lián)受讓方承擔連帶責任。
解釋:在原文中,“to the extent that”的原意是指“在…范圍內”,但在譯文中,譯者按照上下文意思和前后文的邏輯關系,將之翻譯為“如果….,則…”。
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.
參考譯文:如果雙方一致認為要使合營公司達到雙方預期的經營、收入和利潤目標,合營公司需要進行一次或多次增資以適應合營公司業(yè)務的發(fā)展。
解釋:原文的賓語從句是一個條件狀語從句。譯者在對其進行翻譯時,按照原文語序將其翻譯為一個條件狀語從句。
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.
參考譯文:如果合營公司的經營規(guī)模比雙方原來預期的規(guī)模有大幅度縮減,或合營公司持續(xù)遭受嚴重虧損,導致在雙方商定的業(yè)務計劃中所未預期的盈余保留負數,或在任何相關法律允許或雙方一致同意的情況下,則雙方可以協(xié)議按原有出資比例減資。
解釋:在英文法律英語中,if、in the event that、in the case that、where等詞一般來說都表示一種條件關系。在翻譯這種條件關系的句子時,一般都將之翻譯為條件關系狀語從句。在該句中,譯者就將之翻譯為以“如果…則…”為關系詞的條件狀語從句。
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.
參考譯文:董事長經與副董事長協(xié)商后,應確定此次臨時董事會會議的時間和地點,但是舉行該臨時董事會會議的時間必須在提議提交后十五日到四十五日之間。
解釋:“provided that”或“providing that”等詞在法律語言中是一個常見的用詞,其意思是“但是”、“條件”等。在翻譯含有這種詞的法律句子時,可以將翻譯為一種轉折狀語從句。在本句中,譯者就將其翻譯為“但是”,將原文翻譯成為一種轉折性狀語從句。
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].
參考譯文:專家的費用應由[合營公司]或[雙方按其在公司注冊資本中的比例按比例]分擔[除非由于一方的行為與該待決事項有非同尋常的緊密聯(lián)系,專家決定應由該方單獨承擔專家費用]。
解釋:“unless”一詞的含義是“除非…否則….”,譯者在翻譯這種狀語從句時,可以按照原意將其翻譯成為一種轉折性狀語從句。
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).
參考譯文:假如存在一項關于注冊資本的所有轉讓均必須經過原審批機關批準的規(guī)定,而且因為該原審批機關要求公司提供經過簽署的同意書、優(yōu)先權放棄書和經過一致通過的董事會決議,則按照的5.6(b)的規(guī)定,對任何此等轉讓的假定同意就很難實現和生效。
解釋:原文中,because所引導的從句是一個原因狀語從句,在譯文中譯者也將其翻譯為原因狀語從句。當然在原文中,這個原因狀語從句是套在“Given”這個詞所引導的條件狀語從句中的,所以在譯文中,”because”引導的原因從句還是在“假如”引導的條件狀語從句中。
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.
參考譯文:作為一般原則,合營企業(yè)的中文名稱不得以“中國”、“國家”或“國際”等中文詞語開頭,其英文名稱一般也不得含有此等詞語,因為英文名(雖然無需批準)稱通常是按照中文名稱逐字翻譯的。
解釋:在原文中,有兩個引導詞,即“since”和“although”。這兩個詞分別形成了一個原因狀語從句和讓步狀語從句。同時,由于兩個從句和兩個主句的聯(lián)結關系都不強,所以譯者在翻譯時都不它們放在了主句的后面。
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.
參考譯文:如果雙方各自的高級管理人員未能在董事會投票僵持事項按第8.4(a)條提交給他們后[五(5)]個工作日內解決該投票僵局,雙方應在上述[五(5)]個工作日期限屆滿時,立即將該投票僵持事項提交給乙方的相關事業(yè)部總裁及相當的甲方官員予以解決。
解釋:“after”或“before”等詞引導的時間狀語從句,在譯文中一般都可以翻譯成時間狀語短語。在本句中,譯者就將“after”引導的時間狀語從句翻譯成一個時間狀語短語。
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.
參考譯文:在發(fā)生爭議,且該爭議需要友好協(xié)商或仲裁時,各方當事人應當繼續(xù)履行各自在本合同項下的各項權利和義務,但爭議所涉及的各項事項除外。