合同英语中被动语态的使用比较广泛。凡是在不必说出合同所涉及的当事人的场合,或为了突出和强调行为动作的承受者以及便于行文上的连贯等原因,往往使用被动语态。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。但在具体翻译的处理上,应采用较灵活的翻译技巧,做到在内容上忠实于原文, 在语言形式上规范通顺。以下就被动语态的翻译方法分述如下:
1. 被动语态的转换翻译
在进行合同文件的英汉翻译时,为使译文成为规范的汉语,一般应对原句中某一成分进行转换。运用转换法翻译被动语态时,应注意以下几点:
(1)把动作的发出者转换为主语:在合同英语中的一些被动句子中,往往出现 由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。例如:
① 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 no breaching party shall have the option to terminate this Contract by giving 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日内不予以补救,未违约方有权选择向违约方书面通知终止本合同。
②This 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。
③All 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。
(2) 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。例如:
④The cost of the non-returnable 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。