由于主动语态比较自然、明确、直接和有力,所以合同英语中主动语态用得较多。但合同英语中被动语态的使用也是在语言结构上必需的。在合同英语中被动语态所表达的概念,译成汉语时大多采用主动语态表示。在实际翻译工作中,要灵活运用翻译技巧,既做到在内容上忠实于原文,又在语言形式上规范通顺。被动语态的翻译方法有以下几种。
1.被动语态的转换翻译
运用转化法翻译被动语态要注意以下几点:
a.把动作的发出者转换为汉语的主语:在合同英语中的一些被动句子中,往往会出现by或between引起的短语,在句中作状语,其中名词是本句涉及的行为当事人,为突出句中动作的发出者,可将它转换为主语。
This Contract is made by and between the Buyer and the Seller, whereby the Buyer agrees to buy and the Seller agrees to sell the under-mentioned commodity according to the terms and conditions stipulated below :
买卖双方同意按下列条款购买、出售下述商品,并签订本合同。
If any terms and conditions to this Contract are breached and the breach is not corrected by any party within 15 days after a written notice thereof is given by the other party, then the non-breaching party shall have the option to terminate this Contract by giving a written notice thereof to the breaching party.
如果一方违背本合同的任何条款,并且在另一方发出书面通知后15日内不予补救,未违约方有权选择向违约方书面通知终止本合同。
All the payments shall be made in the U. S. Currency by the Buyer to the Seller by telegraphic transfer to the Seller's designated account with the Bank of China, Beijing, China.
买方应以美元支付卖方货款,并以电汇的方式汇至卖方指定的在中国银行北京分行的账户。
b.把英语句中的某一状语转换为主语:在被动语态的状语与主语之间有包容关系时,为了使译文通顺,可将状语部分译成汉语的主语。
The cost of the nonreturnable containers of the goods sold under this Contract is included in the prices herein specified.
所定价格包括依照本合同所售装货用的一次性容器费。
The production design, technology of manufacturing, means of testing, materials prescription,standard of quality and training of personnel shall be stipulated in Chapter 4 in this contract.
本合同第4章规定了产品设计、制造工艺、测试方法、材料配方、质量标准以及人员培训。
The establishment, remuneration and the expenses of the staff of the preparation and construction office,when agreed by both parties,shall be covered in the project budget.
经甲乙双方同意后,工程预算应包括筹建工作人员的编制、报酬及费用。
C.把英语句中的主语转换为宾语:如果原句中没有涉及合同的当事人,可将这样的英语被动句处理成汉语的无主语句,原句的主语被转换为宾语。
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