商务英语翻译概论：商务流程及翻译技巧篇

1、1商务英语翻译college business englisha course for translation2第一章 商务英语翻译基础知识next3第一节 翻译的概念,分类,过程及方法next4n一. the definition of translationn.关于翻译的几种定义ntranslation is a process through which information expressed in the source( or: original) language is conveyed in the target language (a process through whic

2、h information is conveyed from the source language to the target language). it is a communication crossing different languages, different cultures and different societies.n 翻译是一门艺术.(translation is a fine art.)-林语堂翻译论n翻译是一门科学-董秋斯ntranslation consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closes

3、t natural equivalent of the source language, first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style.-尤金奈达5n.广义的翻译是指语言与语言，语言变体与语言变体，语言与非语言等的代码转换和基本信息的传达n.狭义的翻译是一种语言活动，是把一种语言表达的内容忠实地用另一种语言表达出来6二.翻译的分类the classification of translation.按所涉及的两种代码的性质分为：语内翻译（intralingual translation)：同一种语言间不同语言变体的翻译 语际翻译

4、（interlingual translation）：不同语言间的翻译，是狭义翻译的研究对象 语符翻译（ interseniotic translation）：用非文字符号解释文字符号.按翻译主体的性质分为人工翻译和机器翻译两类nextexercise7n.按照翻译的工具和成品形式可分为口译和笔译n.按翻译的客体即所译资料的性质可分为n文学翻译（literary translation)：包括诗歌，小说，戏剧等文学作品的翻译，着重情感内容和修辞特征的表达n实用翻译(pragmatic translation)：包括科技，商务，公文等资料的翻译，着重实际内容的表达8三.翻译的过程翻译的过程是理解

5、和表达的有机结合翻译的关键在于对原文的理解，要真正理解原文，译者必须有扎实的语言功底和相关专业背景知识，并熟知英汉两种文化知识，否则译者就不能真正理解，从而产生误差例：cannot beat the real thing.(美国可口可乐广告）不能打败真正的商品挡不住的诱惑！next9n后者简单明了的把原文的真正含义表达了出来，能达到打动消费者的目的n表达阶段就是译者把自己从原文所理解的内容用目的语重新表达出来表达的好坏主要取决与对原文的理解深度和对译文语言的饿修养程度理解原文不是易事，表达亦然n例：as we obtained a clean b/l, you will see that th

6、e goods were slopped in good order. we suggest, therefore, that you lodge your claim with it.n由于我们获得了清洁提单，所以你们将明白货物在装运时情况良好，且被安放的井井有条由此看来我们建议你们可以向该轮船公司提出索赔n我方已获得清洁提单一张，贵方谅必清楚货物装船时状况良好，因此建议贵方可依此向该轮船公司提出索赔10四.翻译的方法.直译和意译是翻译的两大基本方法literal translation and free translation.所谓直译是指翻译时要求译文与原文在词语，语法结构及表达方式上保

7、持一致的方法例：many investors no longer treat a stock as an instrument of ownership in a corporation but only as a derivative of economic factors, risks and potentials. 许多投资者不再把他们拥有的股票看作是拥有某一公司一部分权益的工具，而只是将它视为经济因素，风险，潜力的衍生物see morenext11n.意译是指摆脱原文形式的束缚而传达原文的内容nduring federal reserve chairman greenspans nea

8、rly 20 years as the world most powerful central banker, the u.s has suffered only one recession, a brief one in 1990-1991.n 格林斯潘作为全球最有实力的中央银行的掌舵人，在其近年的任期中，美国仅在年间遭受过一次短暂的经济萧条n本句意译主要体现在句子结构层面上，将only one recession和a brief one in 1990-1991进一步融合，更加符合汉语的表达习惯121讨论翻译的概念，分类，过程及方法并提出自己的看法和观点2将下列汉语译成英语：.语内翻译.语

9、际翻译.语符翻译.文学翻译.实用翻译.功能对等.机器翻译.目的语.源语13n从商务英语翻译教程这门课的名称来看， 他有两个关键词，一个商务英语，一个翻译。这门课就围绕这两方面来进行。n说到翻译呢，对于一个优秀的翻译人员的话，理论是基础，实践是真理。n也就是说，实践对于学好翻译来说是至关重要的。如果只掌握了理论，而不去实践，是不能成为好的翻译人员的。相反，没有理论系统的学习，而有大量的翻译实践，有可能是以为合格的翻译者。n而商务英语翻译除了关系着翻译，还涉及到很多商贸知识。14翻译理论n在我国，文字翻译最早开始于春秋时期的越人歌，迄今大约有2500年的历史，对翻译标准的争论也有1000多年，但有

10、关翻译标准在翻译界迄今还没有达成“共识”，即还没有一个大家都认同的翻译标准。n翻译是一门推敲的，无唯一答案的课程。n国内外翻译标准百家争鸣、白花齐放。 15n信、达、雅”。n1898年，严复在天演论的译例言中说：“译事之难：信、达、雅。求其信，已大难矣！顾信矣，不达，虽译，犹不译也，则达尚焉。”后来一般就把“信、达、雅”当作翻译的标准。n用今天的话来说，“信”就是忠实准确，“达”就是通顺流畅，“雅”就是文字古雅。 16n“功能对等”。n“功能对等”（functional equivalence）翻译准则是由美国著名翻译家尤金.奈达（eugene a . nida）博士提出的。在众多的国外翻译家

11、中，奈达的翻译理论可以说对我国的影响最大。他认为，翻译的预期目的主要是原文与译文在信息内容、说话方式、文体、风格、语言、文化、社会因素诸方面达到对等。 17n综观国内外翻译家们的观点，可以得出结论：中外翻译标准其实质上有一致性，即：信息对等。n说到底，不管什么样的翻译标准，都离不开一个“真”字，换言之，译文应该是原文信息的真实反映，译者最大限度地将原文作者所赋予原文语言文字的“任务”转译到译文里。 18译者应具备的能力n翻译过程是一个语言转化的过程，涉及跨语言，跨文化的内容。n外语水平能力n母语水平能力n知识水平能力商务英语专业行话 术语n应用水平能力n只有通过练习实践，才能真正提高译者的翻译

12、水平19第二节 商务语言特点及翻译技巧next20 商务英语（business english）是一种包含各种商务活动内容、适合商业需要的专门用途的英语，这些商务活动涉及技术引进、国际旅游、海外投资、对外贸易、招商引资、对外劳务承包与合同、国际金融、涉外保险、国际运输等。商务英语源于普通英语，具有普通英语的语言学特征，但又是商务知识和英语的综合，因而又具有独特性。 商务英语的特点和翻译原则一、商务英语的语言特点一、商务英语的语言特点二、商务英语翻译的原则二、商务英语翻译的原则sec 6sec 4sec 2sec 1sec8sec 7返回返回21 1 专业术语丰富 作为专门用途英语，商务英语与商

13、务活动密切相关，承载着对外贸易和国际商务等方面的信息交流，其突出特点就体现在专业术语的大量运用。例如： the distributor agrees to accept, on presentation, and to pay with exchange, sight draft against bill of lading attached。 译文：经销商同意在提示时予以承兑，凭所附提单以即期汇票的方式支付。 上面短短的一句话中，包含了大量的专业术语，如：distributor经销商、accept承兑、on presentation提示、sight draft 即期汇票、bill of la

14、ding提单等。不难看出，没有对商务知识的深入了解和专业术语的熟练掌握，要进行商务英语的翻译必然举步维艰。又如“negotiation”一词，通常作“谈判”解，而在“negotiation of the relative draft”（议付有关汇票）中则表示“议付”解，与普通英语中的含义相去甚远。在做商务英语的翻译时，译者必须懂得商务专业相关知识，避免将专业术语通俗化，否则轻则闹出笑话，重则造成严重的经济损失。 一、商务英语的语言特点（1）sec 6sec 4sec 2sec 1sec8sec 7返回返回22 2用词正式、严谨而又灵活丰富 商务活动大多具有正式、庄重的特点，与之相适应，商务英语

15、用词一般也较为正式、严谨，以书面语为主，尤其是商务信函、法律文书、协议或合同等公文文体，多使用一些正式，甚至是冷僻的词汇。如：使用prior to/previous to而非before；expiry 而非end；certify 而非prove；solicit 而非seek；appoint 而非make an appointment of；continue而非keep on；in the name of 而非like；along the lines of 而非like；for the purpose of 而非for； in the event of 而非 if；with reference

16、to 而非about等。同时，商务英语词汇又具有灵活多样的特点。不同的介词、词序以及单复数变化等都会导致词义发生重大变化，并给翻译带来一定的困难。例如：property in goods 货权、property of goods货物的属性、appearance surface 外表、surface appearance 表面状况。 一、商务英语的语言特点（2）sec 6sec 4sec 2sec 1sec8sec 7返回返回23 3 句子结构规范而复杂 商务英语的语句往往具有结构严谨、逻辑严密的特点，力求最大限度地实现表达效果的准确性、时效性和逻辑性。在一些招标文件、投标文件和商务合同中，复杂

17、的复合句、分割现象、介词短语、插入语、同位语、倒装句、被动语态等较为常见，这些句子结构语义层次分明、信息量大、不易产生歧义，因此不仅有利于提高国际商务活动的时效性，而且有利于加速商务信息的传递。例如： (1)this contract is made by and between the buyers and the sellers, whereby the buyers agree to buy and the sellers agree to sell the under-mentioned commodity according to the terms and conditions s

18、tipulated below. 译文：本合同由买卖双方订立，因此买卖双方同意按照下面规定的条款买卖以下商品。 一、商务英语的语言特点（3）sec 6sec 4sec 2sec 1sec8sec 7返回返回24 (2)should either party to this contract suffer damages because of any wrongful act or neglect of other party, claim shall be adjusted by agreement or arbitration. 译文：如果由于他方的违约行为或疏忽而使本合同任何一方遭受损失，

19、其索赔通过协议或仲裁予以理算。 现代社会的商人越来越忙，他们使用的商务英语，尤其是在商务信函当中使用的英语，更趋于口语化、简单化，简单句、并列句的使用越来越多，有时甚至使用省略句，如subject to your confirmation.以你方确认为准；thank you for your letter dated 7th october offering us chinese embroideries. 贵方十月七日报盘中国绣制品函悉，十分感谢。 一、商务英语的语言特点（4）sec 6sec 4sec 2sec 1sec8sec 7返回返回25 4 程式化的套语运用广泛 为了提高信息往来的

20、效率和促进商务活动的时效性，商务英语在长期的实践中形成了各种固定的程式化套语。这既是商务英语句法有别于其他语体的一个显著的特点，又是进行商务英语翻译的一个突破口和着眼点。例如： (1)this contract is made by and between the buyers and the sellers, whereby the buyers agree to buy and the sellers agree to sell the undermentioned commodity subject to the terms and conditions stipulated below

21、. 译文：买卖双方同意按一下条款购买、出售下列商品并签订本合同。 一、商务英语的语言特点（5）sec 6sec 4sec 2sec 1sec8sec 7返回返回26 (2)the shipper shall be liable for all damage caused by such goods to the ship and/or cargo on board. 译文：如果上述货物对船舶和（或）船上其他货物造成任何损害，托运人应付全责。 在上面两个例子中，whereby，undermentioned commodity，subject to the terms and conditions

22、 stipulated below，be liable for 等都是程式化的套语，也是商务英语遣词造句的典型模式，要做好商务英语翻译，熟练掌握这些程式化的套语是不可或缺的。礼仪套语： n we shall appreciate your. 若能. 我们将甚为感谢n be subject to ones confirmation. 以某人确认为有效n we arrange to open an l/c. 我们安排开立信用证n it gives us great pleasure to acknowledge receipt of 请接受我方对.的真挚谢意 一、商务英语的语言特点（6）sec 6

23、sec 4sec 2sec 1sec8sec 7返回返回27 商务英语翻译同普通英语翻译或者文学翻译有很大的区别，译者除了要有扎实的双语基本功和熟练的翻译技巧，还必须具备丰富的商务专业知识，了解商务各个领域的语言特点和表达法。 二、商务英语翻译的原则（1）sec 6sec 4sec 2sec 1sec8sec 7返回返回28 1 熟悉商务英语翻译的性质、特点 英语语言基础、科技常识、商务业务知识是构成商务英语翻译的三大要素。商务英语翻译在内容上涉及商务活动的各个环节；在表达方式上，感情色彩比较弱，使用的成语、谚语、俗语较少，程式化较为明显。因此，商务常识和业务流程应该是商务英语翻译的主要依据。

24、例如： the bank in ecuador will instruct its agent bank in the united states to establish a letter of credit. price: rmb 30 per yard, c.i.f., c. 5%, lagos. payment: by confirmed, irrevocable l/c payable by draft at sight to be opened 30 days before the time of shipment. 二、商务英语翻译的原则（2）sec 6sec 4sec 2sec

25、 1sec8sec 7返回返回29 译文：厄瓜多尔银行将通知其在美国的代理银行出具信用证。价格为：成本、保险加运费到拉格斯，每码30元人民币，包括5%的佣金。付款方式为：使用保兑的、不可撤销的即期信用证支付。信用证应于装运期前30天开出。 不了解相应的商务常识根本无法准确地翻译上文。上文中的一些常见商务词语，如establish a letter of credit， c.i.f, c. 5%， lagos， payment: by confirmed, irrevocable l/c payable by draft at sight to be opened 30 days before

26、the time of shipment，其中文表达方式是相对固定的。 二、商务英语翻译的原则（3）sec 6sec 4sec 2sec 1sec8sec 7返回返回30n例如 balance 和 insurance policy 的正确的译文是 银行余额 保险单 nmore or less clause 在国际贸易中译为 溢短装条款。n shipping advice 是 装运通知 是出口商发给进口商的而 shipping instructions 则是 装运指令 是进口商发给出口商的 又如 介词 ex 与 per 有各自不同的含义 英译由某轮船运来的货物时用 ex 由某轮船 运走 用 pe

27、r 而由某轮船承运 用 by31 2遵循商务英语翻译的标准 商务英语翻译遵循忠实（faithfulness）、地道（idiomaticness）、统一（consistency）的原则。忠实是指译文所传递的信息同原文所传递的信息要保持一致，或者说要保持信息等值。地道是指译文的语言和行文方式都要符合商务文献的语言规范和行文规范，即所给出的译文读起来应该像内行人用译语写就的文章，给读者以专业化的感受。其中的专业术语要对应国际通用的汉语译语，即遵循商务英语翻译中一个十分重要的原则术语对等（terminology equivalence）翻译原则。统一是指在商务英语翻译过程中所采用的一些概念、术语等在任

28、何时候都应该保持统一，不能随意更改。例如： 二、商务英语翻译的原则（4）sec 6sec 4sec 2sec 1sec8sec 7返回返回32 (1) western europe has been hit harder than the united states and japan. some relatively self-reliant developing countries, such as india, have been partly insulated. 译文：西欧受到的经济影响要比美国、日本大。经济衰退至今只在一定程度上影响到了诸如印度等一些相对自力更生的发展中国家。 此处

29、，hit harder than. 的含义为：受到的影响比要大；have been partly insulated 的含义为：至今只受到部分影响；insulated 为物理学中常用的动词，意思是使其绝缘，而partly insulated部分绝缘则只能根据上文中的“经济衰退”转译为“只受到部分影响”，从而达到了忠实的原则。同时，由于汉语中多使用主动语态，因此英语句中的被动语态应该按照准确、地道的原则变为主动语态。 二、商务英语翻译的原则（5）sec 6sec 4sec 2sec 1sec8sec 7返回返回33 (2) exchange is the core concept of mark

30、eting. for an exchange to take place, several conditions must be satisfied. of course, at least two parties must participate, and each must have something of value to the other. each party also must want to deal with the other party and each must be free to accept or reject the others offer. finally

31、, each party must be able to communicate and deliver. 译文：交换是营销的核心概念。为使交换发生，必须满足几个条件：第一，必须存在交换的双方；第二，每方都拥有对方所需要的物品或价值；第三，每方都想要与对方交换；第四，双方都能自主地接受或拒绝对方的报价；第五，双方都有能力进行沟通和交货。 二、商务英语翻译的原则（6）sec 6sec 4sec 2sec 1sec8sec 7返回返回34 此处的译文，在风格上与原文一样平实，几乎都是采用直译的方式再现了原文的信息，虽然增加了“第一”、“第二”、“第三”等，但丝毫没有增加任何额外信息，这种增词、减词

32、的方法正是忠实于原文信息的具体表现。同时，译文采用地道的汉语商务语言，使译文做到了准确。译文中的一些术语，比如exchange 无一例外地被翻译成“交换”，做到了前后统一，使读者非常清楚。 从上面的例子可以看出，要准确地进行商务翻译，译者不仅要有扎实的双语基本功、熟练的翻译技巧、丰富的商务专业知识，还要熟知不同商务文本的文体格式和术语，行文用字力求符合行业规范。遇到不懂得专业术语时，切不可望文生义，要多查阅相关商务领域的词典如汉英对外贸易词典、实用外贸英汉词典等，或请教相关商务专业人士。唯有如此，译文才能保持与原文的风格、文本功能、句法结构和用词特点的一致，做到原文与译文的“信息等值”。 二、

33、商务英语翻译的原则（7）sec 6sec 4sec 2sec 1sec8sec 7返回返回35第三节 商务流程简要介绍next36business negotiationsnthe conclusion of a favorable sale contract results largely from careful and meticulous(极仔细的; 一丝不苟的) business negotiation between the exporter and the importer. ntrade negotiations in international business backgr

34、ound consist of five steps: enquiry, offer, counter-offer, acceptance, and the formation of contract.37enquiries询价nan enquiry is usually made by an importer to an exporter, asking for prices lists, catalogues, samples, and details about the goods or trade terms.n however, the exporter, on receiving

35、the enquiry, will make a reply to, thus getting the negotiation started. business negotiations in foreign trade usually commence with an enquiry by an overseas buyer to a seller to inquire about the terms of the sale. 38offers 报盘 ndefinitionnan offer is a good proposal that is made to a specific ind

36、ividual or entity to enter into a contract. the proposal must contain definite terms and must indicate the offerors intent to be bound by an acceptance.nthe party that sends the offer is called the offeror and the another party that receives the offer is called the offeree. 39definition of an offern

37、a proposal for concluding a contract addressed to one or more specific persons constitutes an offer if it is sufficiently definite and indicates the intention of the offeror to be bound in case of acceptance. (cisg art 14-1)ncisg: united nations convention on contracts for the international sale of

38、goods 联合国国际货物销售合同公约40withdrawal of offer撤回发盘nthe withdrawal of offer means that the offeror, for some reason, withdraw his offer before it reaches the offeree or before it becomes effective.nthis may happen when the offeror finds that the offer he makes contains some mistake, or that the situation h

39、as changed which makes his offer unfavorable to him.41revocation of offer撤盘nto revoke an offer means that when the offer has reached the offeree, it has become effective, the offeror acts to revoke the offer thus to kill its effectiveness.nthe convention agrees in principle that an offer is revocabl

40、e before the note of acceptance is dispatched but provides that on the following two occasions, an offer is irrevocable.a. it indicates, whether by stating a fixed time or otherwise, that it is irrevocable.b. if it was reasonable for the offeree to rely on the offer as being irrevocable and the offe

41、ree has acted in reliance on the offer.42termination of offer 终止发盘n“an offer, even if it is irrevocable, is terminated when a rejection reaches the offeror” (cisg art.17).43offersnaccording to different criteria, offers can be classified into various kind:nselling offersoffers made by the sellernbuy

42、ing offersoffers made by a buyernfirm offers or offers with engagementnindefinite offers or offers without engagement 44firm offers实盘na firm offer or an irrevocable offer or an offer firm, is intended to make a contract with the offeree. nthe terms or conditions put forward in the offer can not be r

43、evoked or amended without consents from the other party. once it is unconditionally accepted by the offeree within its validity, the transaction is completed and a contract is concluded immediately. until this time, the offer has legally binding force on the both parties.nsuch offer usually has phra

44、ses like: “we offer firm, or we make a firm offer for the following goods”.45indefinite offers虚盘nan indefinite offer is not binding on the offeror, and is stated unclear, incomplete and with reservation. some expressions can help the reader to identify this nature of the offer, such as, reference pr

45、ice, subject to our final confirmation, subject to being unsold.nactually, quotation sheets and price lists can serve as offers without engagement because they only include part of the terms, such as descriptions, specifications and unit prices. they do not include those terms about shipment, paymen

46、t etc.46counter-offers 还盘ndefinitionna counter-offer is a reply to an offer that materially alters the terms of the offer. nthe party who has received the offer is not in a position to fully accept the business terms offered. he may make a counter-offer, in which some alternations have been made abo

47、ut the business trade terms, such as, the price or other terms with the purpose of bargaining.nthere are also two kinds of counter-offer: one with engagement and the other is without engagement. 47acceptance (accept) 接受ndefinition nan acceptance is an unconditional assent to an offer, or an assent c

48、onditioned on minor changes that do not affect material terms of the offer.nthe acceptance, in practice, serves to conclude the business transaction. it must be absolute and unconditional, otherwise, it is not an acceptance but a counter-offer.nan acceptance may be tendered only by the person to who

49、m the offer is directed.48nit is a regular practice in international trade that a written contract is usually signed to bind both the seller and the buyer.na formal contract should be prepared in duplicate. both parties should sign each copy, and each party should keep a sign of it.nsome of the cont

50、racts commonly used in foreign trade are available in printed forms, so that only the date, price, name of commodities, names of parties, and similar particulars are needed to be filled in.formation of contracts 合约形成49definition of contractsna contract is simply an agreement that defines relationshi

51、p between one or more parties. a commercial contract, in the simplest term, is merely an agreement made by two or more parties for the purpose of transacting business.nif the seller works out a contract, it is called a sales contract; or if the buyer works it out, it is called a purchase contract. 5

52、0business proceduresnenquiry offer counter-offer acceptance formation of contract.napply for opening a letter of credit through a bank receive a complete set of shipping documents check or examine the documents in strict conformity with each other apply for the commodity inspection and quarantine ap

53、ply for customs entry & customs formalities clearance collect the consignments from the forwarder at the port of entering fetch the goods to the plant for production get the quality certificate from the ccib (china commodity inspection bureau 中国商品检验局) complain and claim.51第四节 商务英语翻译技巧介绍next52met

54、hods and techniquesn翻译的形式n直译 (literal translation) 不等于对译n 意译 (free translation)n活译 (dynamic equivalence translation)53nthey dont know their right hand from their left.ni gave my youth to the sea and i came home and gave my wife my old age.nall roads lead to rome.ni want to hit the sack and get some

55、zs.nsmashing a mirror is no way to make an ugly person beautiful, nor is it a way to make social problems evaporate.54nmaybe he has cut off his own head and destroyed himself.ncast pearls before swine.nshe was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.ni threw myself in a chair.nhe has to make a terribl

56、e decision.55词类转换 (p.8, 106, 236)n英语名词转换成汉语动词 （与英语中名词转为动词词义不同）all i wanted was to go somewhere, all i wanted was a change. 我只不过是想到别的地方去，我只想换换空气。n英语名词转换为汉语形容词，副词he noticed a very close agreement between the two countries on the problem. 他注意到两国在这问题上的意见是非常一致的。56nthe application of electronic computers

57、makes for a tremendous rise in labour productivity.nthere is considerable debate about how best and how much to reduce income inequality.nthe board of directors will hold a consultation about the matter.nthe firm has a large business connection.57nthere is a large attendance at the fair.nwithdraw of

58、 offernrevocation of offerntermination of offernwithout his consent or confirmationnshe is a real beauty.nindependent thinking is an absolute necessity in study.58nwe find difficulty in solving this problem.nit is our great pleasure to note that shipbuilding industry is developing vigorously.nthe bl

59、ockade was a success.59n人称代词的省略n英语冠词的省略the blood-red sun sank below the horizon. 火红的太阳沉入地平线。n增减法增词法an american officer slipped on a banana skin. 一个美国军官踩在香蕉皮上滑到了。减词法could you help me in any way?你能帮帮我吗？翻译中的省略, 增减60ndont put your hands in your pocket.ni am afraid she will come.nwe had much rain last su

60、mmer.nwe live and learn.nthey say he is a genius.ngive him an inch and hell take an ell.nliquids are like solids in that they have definite volume.nthe average american changes his or her job nine or ten times during his or her working life.61nin most cases, bona fide party to an international sales con