外贸英译汉信函翻译

外贸英译汉信函翻译

外贸英语信函作为国际外贸往来经常使用的联系方式，是开展对外经济贸易业务和有关外贸活动的重要工具，也是帮助公司建立友谊、树立企业形象的重要媒体。外贸函电作为其中最主要的、应用范围最广泛的涉外文书在国际贸易中扮演着非常重要的角色。如何把函电准确、完整、贴切地翻译成中文，已成为越来越多的外贸工作人员日常工作任务。
1外贸信函特点
1.1文体特点
1.1.1用词规范正式
外贸英语信函经常以意义相同或详尽的书面词语代替基本词汇和口语词汇，如以 inform 或 advice 代替 tell ，以 duplicate 代替 copy ，以 dispatch 代替 send ，以 otherwise 代替 or, 以 therefore 代替 so ；以介词短语代替简单的介词和连词，如以 as for 、 in respect to 、 in connection with 和 with regarding to 代替 about 等。
例1  We are pleased to advice you that your order No.103 has been dispatched in accordance with your instruction.
译文：我高兴地通知你们：第103号订单货物已遵照你方指示运出。

例2：We will meet you half way by offering a discount of 5% in view of our long pleasant relations.
译文：鉴于我们之间长期愉快的业务关系，本公司将酌情考虑给予 5% 的折扣。

例3：All offers and sales are subject to the terms and conditions printed on the reverse side hereof. (hereof = of the offer letter)
译文：所有报盘和销售均应以本报价单背面所印的条件为准。
1.1.2表意准确、专业性强
外贸信函用语另一特点是表意准确、专业性强，主要表现为使用大量的专业术语、行话、外来借词、缩略语、以及一般词语在外贸语境中的特殊用法，如： trimming charges （平仓费）、 insurance policy （保险单）、 coverage （险别）、 premium （保险费）、 underwriter （保险人）、 establishment （开证）、 counter-offer （还盘）、 counter-suggestion （反还盘）、 bid （递盘）、 surcharges （附加费）、 proforma invoice （形式发票）等等。由于经过长期的使用时间或相关的规定，这些术语的内涵特定，意思清楚明确，成为实现外贸信函英语准确表达的有效手段。
例4 We shall cover TPND on your order. 译文：我们将为你方的货物投保。
此句TPND是很专业的保险术语，意思为 偷窃、提货不着险 ，cover在外贸英语中的意思是投保/保险。
例5 It would be appreciated if you would let us know by return your lowest possible price for the following goods FOB London.
译文：请报下列商品伦敦船上交货之最低价。
此句使用了FOB这一有关价格的商贸术语。
例6 Average is of two kinds；General Average and Particular Average．
译文：海损有两种，一种是共同海损，另一种是单独海损。
average是保险业用语，意为海损费用。
1.1.3浓于朴素、 淡于修饰
外贸信函的主要功能是传递信息，使收、发双方发生贸易往来、达成协议，因此，除了使用专业术语准确表达信息外，还要求信函语言明白易懂、朴实平易、直达意图。
例7 Dear Sirs,
Thank you for your interest in our fireworks.
In reply to your enquiry of november10, we are really sorry to say that we cannot divulge any of our sales information. We hope this will not bring you too much inconvenience.
Yours truly.
译文：
先生：
承蒙贵方对我们的烟花感兴趣,十分感谢。
兹复贵方11月10日询价函，我们非常抱歉地奉告，我们不能泄露我方任何销售情况。我们希望这不会给贵方带来诸多不便。
谨上！
1.2句式结构特点
1.2.1句式正规完整
外贸信函英语是一种正式体书面英语，其从句层次复杂，长句的使用通常高于非正式英语，其中复句、分词短语、不定式短语、插入语、同位结构、独立主格结构的频繁使用是书面语体的典型特征，它们适合于表达多层次的复杂逻辑关系，可以充分完整地表达相互关联的意义，这种效果是段、句无法达到的。
例8 In order to facilitate business in consideration of the present monetary stringency, the corporation, on behalf of which I am studying this proposition, is willing to base transaction trade by barter and would import any articles, which you would ship to the United States.
译文：
最近资金很紧，为谋求达成交易，本人代表公司正在研究如何作成这笔交易。我们希望以易货贸易为基础，进口你方能运到美国的任何商品。
1.2.2用陈述句表示委婉的祈使意义
信函涉及的双方为贸易伙伴，地位是平等的。因此，一方如果希望另一方采取某种行为，一般都不使用祈使句型，而用陈述句表示自己的愿望，这种行文在外贸函电中非常广泛。十分委婉的语气能够受到礼貌的效果。
例9 We should be glad to have your immediate shipping instructions.
译文：谨希尽快收到贵方的装运通知。

例10 We should be obliged if you would send us by air a copy of the packing list for the shipment to be dispatched by sea.
译文：谨希收到贵公司空邮海运装船单副件一份。
1.2.3大量使用套语
①表示自己收到对方的来函时可常用：We re in receipt of your letter; we admit receipt of your letter; we acknowledge receipt of.
②表示自己是在回复某份函电时使用：regarding your letter of; in reply to your letter of; referring to your letter of.
③说明自己是从何处得知对方时可用：We owe your name and address to; your name and address has been given by;  has referred us to you
④表示希望得到回函时可用：to hear from you in the affirmative; to receive your positive/favorable reply.
⑤说明寄上某物时可用：Enclosed please find; we are enclosing
1.2.4使用倒装句
为了保持句子平衡或是为了强调句中的某个成分而将其放置到句首或其他突出的位置。
例11 Enclosed please find a full range of catalogues covering the textile accessories inquired in your letter.
译文：贵公司来函所需的纺织品附件全部清单，随函已附，请查收。

例12 Should there be any breakage, please do not hesitate to let us know.
译文：若有破损，敬请告知。

例13 Should you require the insurance to be covered as per institute cargo clauses, we would be glad to comply.
译文：假如贵公司需要依据协会货运条款承保，我方愿意履行。
1.3礼貌、委婉语气的准确把握
外贸信函一般都注重信函的礼貌和各种语气的准确传达。礼貌可以带来友谊，使对方阅读后产生好感。委婉礼貌用语在外贸信函中既可委婉地拒绝对方的要求或条件，而又能保持友好的贸易关系。
例14
①We have not received your payment of the balance of US$5, 000.
②We regret having to remind you that we have not received your payment of the balance of US$5, 000. (revised)
译文：贵公司5，000美元的付款，至今未收，来函告知。
例15
①You have to replace the damaged records.
②We will appreciate it if you replace the damaged records. . (revised)
译文：谨希贵公司更换受损部分。
例16
①Your letter is not clear at all, I cannot understand it.
②If I understood your letter correctly, I would immediately accept your offer. . (revised)
译文：贵公司来函陈述不清，我方不能立刻接受贵公司报盘，

例17 We should be grateful/obliged if you could provide us with all possible information on your market.
译文：谨希贵公司尽可能提供贵方市场信息。

例18 With reference to your letter of May 6, we are pleased to give an order for the following.
译文：鉴于贵公司5月6日来函，我方乐意订购以下产品。
2外贸英语信函翻译要点
2.1内容完整
在翻译外贸信函时，要求译者完整的把信息表达出来，不能有误，尤其是在翻译外贸术语，缩略语，要力求准确。
例如：
CFR (Cost and Freight成本加运费)
CIF (Cost Insurance and Freight成本保险费加运费)
DES (Delivered Ex Ship目的港船上交货)
DEQ (Delivered Ex Quay目的港码头交货)
DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid未完税交货)
2.2体现专业
在国际贸易中，价格条件、付款方式、包装、装运、保险、索赔等在长期的实践中已形成了各种术语、外来词汇、套语和习惯表达法，在翻译过程中，我们必须首先彻底准确地理解这些独特词汇的专业含义和固定译法，体现专业性。
例19 The duplicate shipping documents including bill of lading, invoice, packing list and inspection certification were airmailed to you today.
译文：包括提单、发票、装箱单和检验证书在内的装运单正、副本，今日已通过航空方式邮寄贵方。

例20 Please be informed that, on account of the fluctuations of foreign exchanges the quotation is subject to change without previous notice.
译文：兹告知贵方，由于外汇的波动，报价随时可能改变，不另行通知。

例21 We shall take out insurance at this end under our Open Policy.
译文：我们将在我方预约保单项下按其规定在此办理保险。

例22 The goods we received contrary to our instructions are packed in wooden cases without iron hoops. (The goods we received are packed in wooden cases without iron hoops, which is contrary to our instructions.)
译文：收到的货物是包装在没有铁腰子的木箱里，而这种包装与我们的指示不符。
2.3译文得体
2.3.1称呼语与结尾礼辞
英语外贸信件最常见的称呼语和结尾礼辞有：
Dear Sirs：
Dear Madam ：
Dear M Smith•
Dear Mrs.Smith：
Gentlemen：
Yours truly,
Yours sincerely,
Yours faithfully,
翻译外贸信函中的这些称呼语和结尾礼辞时，要充分考虑语体以及汉语公函的表达习惯，切忌将Dear Madam译成亲爱的夫人，或将Yours sincerely译为您真诚的，这样的称呼与结尾不符合汉语公函的语体，翻译的痕迹太过明显。
英语商务信函中的Dear是对收信人的尊称，是一种礼节；而汉语的书信称呼中，亲爱的是一种呢称，多用于家人或情侣之间。因此，Dear和亲爱的并不等值。翻译时如果是泛称Dear Sirs，Dear Madam或Gentlemen，可采用我国旧式书信中的用法，译为敬启者，谨启者，在对方较为传统的情况下可以采取这种译法：或者可以简单地译作先生，女士，这多适用于年轻的现代人之间。如果知道对方的称谓，如Dear Mr．Zhang，则可译为张先生台鉴；或者按照现代书信的格式，简单地译成：
某某先生／某某女士：
您好!
英语外贸信函的结尾礼辞Yours sincerely等也是写信人对收信人的一种谦称，不必照字面直接翻译，可套泽我国公函中的礼辞，如谨上，敬上，或写成两行：
此致
敬礼!
需要指出的是结尾礼辞的翻译应与前边的称呼语相对应，如称呼语译为敬启者，结尾译为此致/敬礼就不太合适，而译为谨上效果会更好些。
2.3.2 敬谦语
外贸信函的一大特点是措词婉约，大量使用客套语，如appreciate，be grateful，be obliged，kindly等，翻译时既要语气相仿，又要用词得当，符合汉语的表达习惯，具体方法归纳如下：
㈠套译
我们可以按照我国公函的常用表达习惯进行套译
We would appreciate your early reply．
Your early reply would be highly appreciated．
It would be appreciated if you can send us your reply early．
We shall appreciate it if you can send us your reply early．
We shall be grateful／obliged ifyou can send us your reply early．
以上儿种表达方式，均可套译为：
如蒙早日答复将不胜感激。或：请早日答复为荷。
还有一些表示请求的疑问句和被动句，在翻译的时候可以套译为请⋯。
例23 Will you kindly send us all the details about the Chunlan Brand Air conditioners?
译文：请寄来有关春兰空调的详情。

例24 You are kindly requested to provide us with all possible information on your market．
译文：请告你方市场详情。
㈡错位补偿 ．
有些英文敬谦语很难找到合适的对应词，这种情况下可以略去不译，但为了体现原文的语气，可以进行错位补偿。
例25 In reply to your inquiry of 25 March，we are pleased to offer you the following．
译文：兹复贵方3月25日询价，并报盘如下。
原文中的are pleased只是客套用语，如果翻译反倒显得生硬，可以省略不译，为了体现原文语气，可以进行错位补偿，将your inquiry译为贵方洵价，使整个译文不仅意思正确，而且语气一致。再看下面几个例子：
例26 We are pleased to inform you that goods have been dispatched today．
译文：货物今日业已启运，特此奉告。(使用汉语敬辞，将are pleased to inform译为奉告 )
例27 We hope to have the pleasure of serving you I the near future
译文：我们希望在不久的将来能为贵方效劳。(省译have the pleasure of，使用汉语敬谦词，将serving you译为为贵方效劳)
2.3.3代词翻译
代词(主要是人称代词)在外贸信函中出现较多，而且起着主导作用(通常作句子的主语)，它们的恰当翻译就非常重要。在外贸英语中，我们通常将商业味很浓的人称代词we，you，they译作我方、我公司、本公司；贵方、贵公司；他方、他公司。
例28 We manufacture crackers chocolates，caramels，and chewing gums．
译文：本公司产品有饼干、巧克力、牛奶糖和口香糖等。

例29 The glass sheets ordered from you on April 8 was delivered yesterday．
译文：4月8日向贵公司所订购的玻璃板已于昨日收到。

例30 They haven’t yet opened the L／C in spite of our repeated reminders．
译文：尽管我方一再提醒，他方仍未将信用证开出。
此外，our，your，their，us，you，them也要作相应的翻译。
例31 Please let  have information as to your lowest price for the goods．
译文：请贵公司告知该商品最低价格。
有时，人称代词也可不直接译出。
例32 We thank you for your favor of the 3rd May，and we hand you herewith the samples of our various productions，for which we can quote you as follows：
译文：感谢5月3日来函，现随函寄上各种产品之样品，并报价如下：

Try to translate the following letters into Chinese.
Letter 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
Att: Purchasing Dept.
We would like the opportunity to introduce ourselves to you. Glove Nation is a manufacturer of industrial safety gloves and clothing，including anti-vibration gloves. Our goal is to provide solutions to your needs for industrial safety products based on our 35 years of experience, expertise, and understanding. With manufacturers both in the United States and overseas we offer our products at an extremely competitive price with a quality that is second to none. We are one of the world’s major manufacturers, selling direct, specialized in custom design and private labeling. We have no minimum order requirements. Additionally we will be more than happy to submit to you our samples. Please send us your logo along with details of your required samples. You can visit our websites at: www.glovenation.com and also www.sixstars.com.pk . Please feel free to contact us with any questions. You may contact us at either Sixstarsusa@aol.com or at vnsafety.@fuse.net .
We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Vicki Dowers
先生/女士：
提示：采购部
兹来函介绍本公司，Glove Nation生产各种工业安全手套和服装，其中包括防震手套，本公司拥有35年专业生产历史、拥有专业生产人员、以及专业生产工艺，安全产品能够满足您的需求。在美国国内外设有生产厂，产品价格十分优惠，质量无与伦比。在全球，本公司是一家主要安全产品生产企业，产品直销，为客户专业设计、个性标签，订单数量不限。另外，我们可以向您提供样品。请把贵公司标识语以及所需样品细节告知我方。欢迎访问本公司网站：www.glovenation.com或www.sixstars.com.pk。若有疑问，请联系我方，联系邮箱：Sixstarsusa@aol.com 或vnsafety.@fuse.net。
盼复！
Vicki Dowers

Letter 2
Dear Sirs,
RE: TABLECLOTH
We have your name and address from the Commercial Office of Chinese Embassy in Pakistan. We take this opportunity to write to you with a view to set up friend business relations with you.
We are a state-owned company dealing specially with the export of tablecloth. We are in a position to accept orders according to the customer’s samples. In the customer’s samples, request about the assorted pattern, specification and package of the needed goods can be indicated particularly.
In order to give you a general idea of various kinds of the tablecloth we are handling, we are airmailing you under separate cover our latest catalogue for your reference. Please let us know immediately if you are interested in our products. We will send you our price list and sample to you as soon as we receive your specific inquiry.
We are looking forward to your early reply.

Yours faithfully
先生：
主题：桌布
我方从中国驻巴基斯坦大使馆商务部门得知贵公司信息，兹来函想与贵公司建立业务关系。
本公司是一家国营企业，专营桌布出口业务，可以满足客户样品特殊需要。在客户样品中，所需桌布花色款式、产品规格以及包装要求应该详细说明。为了使贵公司对我们经营的各种桌布有个大致的了解，本公司最新产品价目表将另邮给贵方参考。若对本公司产品感兴趣，请告知。一收到贵公司具体询盘，我方将立刻把价格表以及样品寄过来。
盼复！
Letter 3
Gentlemen:
We have learned from World Trade News, a weekly magazine, that you are one of the leading importers of cameras in your country. We, therefore, take pleasure in informing you that we have recently completed the production of a new model entitled PANEX whose high efficiency has been proven by a scrupulous test of its mechanism and functions as clearly explained in our illustrated catalog enclosed.
We believe that considering the improvements it offers, you will find our PANEX a very good seller at the competitive price of US$110.00 CIF San Francisco including the cost of accessories. Like all other cameras we handle, PANEX is also accompanied with a two-year guarantee as our after-sale service.
If you have interest in dealing with us in PANEX or other types of cameras shown in our catalog, please inform us of your requirements as well as your bankers' name and address.
We assure you of our best service.

Yours very truly