1、商務(wù)英語常見誤譯例析筆者在商務(wù)英語教學(xué)中發(fā)現(xiàn),外貿(mào)英語中有一些使用十分頻繁的詞匯很容易被誤譯,原因是商務(wù)英語中相同的單詞在不同情況下具有不同的含義。現(xiàn)將這些單詞的不同用法和含義試加比較說明。例一:floatingIt is not surprising,then,that the world saw a return to a floating exchange rate system. Central banks were no longer required to support their own currencies.Floating policy is of great import

2、ance for export trade; it is, in fact, a convenient method of insuring goods where a number of similar export transactions are intended, e.g. where the insured has to supply an overseas importer under an exclusive sales agreement or maintains sales representatives or subsidiary companies abroad.譯文:在

3、這種情況下,世界各國又恢復(fù)浮動(dòng)匯率就不足為奇了。各國中央銀行也就無須維持本幣的匯價(jià)了。統(tǒng)保單對出口貿(mào)易至關(guān)重要。它實(shí)際上是貨物保險(xiǎn)中的一種便利的辦法,特別適合于分不同的時(shí)間出口的一批類似貨物,如,當(dāng)被保險(xiǎn)方根據(jù)獨(dú)家代理協(xié)議書向國外的進(jìn)口方供貨,或在國外委任了銷售代表,設(shè)立分支機(jī)構(gòu)時(shí)用之。注解:floating 在上述兩個(gè)句中的意思完全不一樣,floating exchange rate 意為“浮動(dòng)匯率”,即可自由浮動(dòng),完全受市場力量決定的匯率制度。而floating policy 則指用以承保多批次貨運(yùn)的一種持續(xù)性長期保險(xiǎn)憑證,常譯為“統(tǒng)保單”。例二:confirmWe'd like

4、to inform you that our counter sample will be sent to you by DHL by the end of this week and please confirm it ASAP so that we can start our mass production.Payment will be made by 100% confirmed, irrevocable Letter of Credit available by sight draft。譯文:很高興通知您,我們的回樣將于本周末用特快專遞給您,請盡快確認(rèn),以便我們開始大批生產(chǎn)。付款方式

5、為1O0% 即期,保兌,不可撤消信用證。注解:confirmed 一詞在這兩句話的意思也不一樣。在第一個(gè)句子中,confirm 的意思是“確認(rèn)”。在第二個(gè)句子中,confirmed L/C 應(yīng)翻譯為“保兌信用證”,即指一家銀行所開的由另一家銀行保證兌付的一種銀行信用證。例三:negotiablePart time barman required.Hours and salary negotiable.This Bill of Lading is issued in a negotiable form, so it shall constitute title to the goods and

6、the holder, by endorsement of this B/L.譯文:招聘兼職酒店保安,工作時(shí)間和薪水面議。所簽發(fā)的提單可為轉(zhuǎn)讓的,故只要在提單上背書, 便確定了貨物和持票人的所有權(quán)。注解:在第一句話中,negotiable 的意思是“可商議的”,在第二句話中的意思則是“可轉(zhuǎn)讓的”,“可轉(zhuǎn)讓提單”經(jīng)過背書后即可將所有權(quán)轉(zhuǎn)讓給他人,值得注意的是,negotiating bank 則是議付銀行,即購買或貼現(xiàn)匯票的銀行。例四:discountYou may get a 5% discount if your order is on a regular basis.If a seller

7、 extends credit to a time draft, they have made a trade acceptance.The seller can request that the bank finance the transaction by buying the draft.The bank is said to discount the draft.譯文:如果你方定期給我方下定單,你方便可得到5% 的折扣。如賣方開出的是遠(yuǎn)期匯票,以此向買方提供信用,此時(shí)就做了一筆商業(yè)匯票承兌業(yè)務(wù),賣方可以請銀行買下商業(yè)承兌匯票,銀行用這個(gè)辦法對出口商融資,也就是說,銀行對該匯票貼現(xiàn)了。注

8、解:discount 在這兩句話中的意思一個(gè)是折扣,另一個(gè)是貼現(xiàn)。折扣是指商品在原價(jià)的基礎(chǔ)上按百分比降價(jià),貼現(xiàn)則是指未到期的票據(jù)向銀行融資,銀行扣取自買進(jìn)日至到期日的利息,并收取一定的手續(xù)費(fèi)后,將余下的票面金額付給持票人。例五:endorseOur products have been endorsed by the National Quality Inspection Association.Draft must be accompanied by full set original on board marine Bill off Lading made out to order,end

9、orsed in blank,marked freight prepaid.譯文:我們的產(chǎn)品為全國質(zhì)量檢查協(xié)會的推薦產(chǎn)品。匯票必須附有全套印有“貨物收訖”字樣的正本海運(yùn)提單,憑指示、空白背書,并寫明“運(yùn)費(fèi)已付”。注解:在第一個(gè)句子中,“推薦”是指用過某種產(chǎn)品后感到滿意,并通過媒體介紹給公眾。而第二句中的“空白背書明是指背書人(endorser 只在票據(jù)背面簽上自己的名字,而不注明特定的被背書人(endorsee。例六:averageIf a particular cargo Is partially damaged,the damage is called particular average

10、.It's obvious that the products are below the average quality.譯文:如果某批貨是部分受損,我們稱之為“單獨(dú)海損”。很明顯,這批產(chǎn)品的品質(zhì)是中下水平。注解:在第一個(gè)句子中,particular average 的意思是“單獨(dú)海損”,是指在保險(xiǎn)業(yè)中由于海上事故所導(dǎo)致的部分損失,因此average 一詞的意思是損失或損壞,而第二句中的average 為“平均”之意。例七:tenderUnder CIF,it is the seller's obligation to tender the relative documents to the buyer to enable him to obtain delivery of the goods. If they arrive, or to recover for the loss, if they are lost on the voyage.He became as exhilarated as if his tender for building a mansion had been accepted.