第十六章 商务英语语篇的特点及其翻译要点
一、商务英语语篇的类型及语篇模式
(1) 问题—–解决型
这类语篇通常首先设计或提出一个与某种情形相关的问题,然后描述或评估这一问题导致的后果,最后提供解决办法或方案。这种语篇模式常见于广告、产品说明、商务信函和调查报告等语篇类型中,其中情景和评估是可选项,可能出现也可能不出现,而问题和解决办法是必选项。如:下面这个广告就采用了典型的问题—–解决型语篇模式。 What’s so special about Lurpak Danish butter? Well, can you remember what butter used to taste like—–real farm-fresh butter? Do you remember how you used to enjoy it when you were young? Today—- the taste of Lurpark bring it all back to you—–that’s why it’s so special. 这则奶油广告的4个句子,就有3个是疑问句。这些疑问句能激发目标群体对新鲜奶油的渴望,因而能达到较好的广告效果。
(2)直接表述型
(3)间接表述型;
(4)解析型1.词汇的使用特点;
(5)比较——对比型 如(1): A business in millions, a profit in pennies. 这则广告用in millions与in pennies进行对比,即用反义词或词组加强广告的效果,说明该公司薄利多销的原则。 如(2) Introducing Tide With Bleach what do you do with a sock this dirty? Wash it in a regular detergent, like the one you’re using now, and it will get only this white. But it’ll get much whiter with Tide with Bleach, because you’ll have the dreaming power of the best Tide ever plus the whitening power of the best liquid bleach, just follow tough laundry instructs. 这则汰渍洗衣粉广告采用了对比手法,把加了漂白剂的新型洗衣粉与一般的洗涤用品相比较,以突出新产品的优点。
(6)等级型;
(7) 时间发展型 如: After careful consideration, we suggest that at the first stage, business be done by supply us with factory equipment and technology will be delivered to you to set off all the cost of equipment and other charges within 3 years. 经慎重研究,我们建议先按补偿贸易进行,即由贵方负责提供工厂设备和技术,我方负责向贵方提供用这些设备和技术生产的产品,在3年内全部偿清设备等款项。
(8)空间型;
(9)主张——反主张型 如:还盘信函 Dear Sir, Subj. Sheep Shearing Machines We thank you for your Quotation No.97028. A comparison between this Quotation and your Quotation No.97001 for our last order shows that you are now quoting for container shipment and are raising your price by 2%. Admittedly, there is some slight increase for sheep shearing machines in the market price, we would like to point out that since your present Quotation is on C&F terms and freight for container shipment is lower than the usual freight, the increase in price can be well set off by the saving in freight and therefore the unit price of this order should be identical with that of our last order. Please consider our comments and let us have your confirmation by Fax. Yours sincerely Tom William 贵方第97028号报价单已收到,谢谢。我们把它和我方上次订货时贵方的第97001号报价单相比较,发现有两点不同:一是交货改用集装箱;二是价格提高了2%。我们承认剪羊毛机的市场最近略有提升, 但贵方是以成本加运费为基础,而集装箱的运费比普通运费低,该货价格上涨完全可由节省的运费抵消。因此,这次的报价应与上次相同,希贵方予以考虑并请传真确认。
二、商务英语语篇的文体特点
1.词汇的使用特点
2.语句的使用特点: 简洁严密
3.语篇风格的特点,完整等七个方面的特点
三、商务英语语篇的汉译要点
1. 汇层面必须做到对原文用词准确并在译文中精确传译 例如:在商务英语涉外合同中,offer 只能译为“要约”,相应的“要约人”是offerer,offeree就是“受要约人”;accept只能译为“承诺”,相应的“承诺人”就是acceptor,acceptee就是“接受承诺人”,其他译法都属不妥。 又如:在国际贸易买卖合同中,当事人可以通过信件、数据电文等形式达成协议,这类合同的成立,一般要签订一份“确认书”。在“确认书”中首先规定一条“兹经买卖双方同意按下列条款成交”,翻译为 “The undersigned Sellers and Buyers have agree to close the following transactions according to the terms and conditions stipulated below.”这个译文中的“条款”一词应译成the terms and conditions,短语中的conditions不能漏掉,因为一个合同条款的达成经常包含着若干个条件。
2.语法层面必须做到译文的简洁、严密和庄重 例(1) The shipment time is February or March at option and the goods will be shipped in one lot. 此货可于一月份装运。 例(2) The goods will be delivered in seller’s usual make-up. 货物将按卖方通常装潢装运。 例(3) By irrevocable Letter of Credit available by Sellers documentary bill at sight to be valid for negotiation in China until 15 days after date of shipment, the Letter of Credit must reach the Sellers 30 days before the contracted month of shipment. 原译文: 以不可取消的信用证,凭卖方即期付有单据的票据协商,有效期应为装运期15天后在中国到期,该信用证必须于合同规定的装运月份前30天到达卖方。 原译文有四处翻译不妥。 1)irrevocable Letter of Credit是指:A Letter of Credit which cannot be altered or cancelled once it has been negotiated between the buyer and his bank. 原译文用“不可取消的信用证”也能表达原文,但其行话应该是“不可撤消的信用证”。 2)documentary bill at sight译为“即期付有单据的票据”,概念不清,因为“票据”是指出票人签名于票上,约定自己或委托他人,以无条件支付一定金额为目的的有价证卷。票据本身是广义它包括汇票、本票和支票。那么,在涉外合同支付中的票据主要指“汇票”。因此,该条约中的bill应理解为“汇票”。至于documentary bill是指a bill to which documents are attached,应译为“跟单汇票”。
3.negotiation在涉外票据结算中是指the giving of value for bills(drafts) or documents by the bank authorized to negotiate,其“行话”应该译成“议付”。 4.until 15 days after date of shipment,应该是“装运期后的15天”。 经审校改译为: 以不可撤消的信用证,凭卖方即期跟单汇票议付,有效期应为装运期后15天在中国到期,该信用证必须于合同规定的装运月份前30天到达卖方。
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