翻译技巧:如何看懂英文合同里出现频率极高的“古体词”
泛瑞翻译
在外企翻译劳动合同很头痛。常常被这里一个herein,那里一个whereof,后面又来一个hereby,搞得一头雾水。别担心,小编今天就带着大家一起了解一下在英文合同里出现频率极高的"古体词"。希望让大家在今后看英文合同时so easy!

先来看下面两段例文:

This contract is made this 19th of February,2014 by WFX Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Sellers")who agree to sell and HK Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Buyers"), who agree to buy the following goods on the terms and conditions as below.
本合同由WFX公司(以下简称"卖方")与HK公司(以下简称"买方")于2014年2月19日订立,双方
同意按下述条件买卖下列货物。

The deposit paid by the Buyers shall not be refunded if the Buyers fail to make full payment within the time herein specified and the Buyers shall be liable for all losses incurred therefrom to the Sellers.
如果买方在规定的时间内未付清货款,买方的保证金将不予退还,而且买方应承担卖方由此产生的一切损失。

在翻译古体词的时候,应根据本意及上下文灵活掌握释义。例如在此例中, herein可以不必译出。或采用汉语的文言词例如"兹"、"之"、"鉴于"、"特"等进行翻译。

IN WITNESSTH WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Contract by their authori
zed representatives as of the date first above written.
兹特由双方授权的代表,于上述首开日期签署本合同为据。

此例中的"IN WITNESSTH WHEREOF"意思是"作为协议事项的证据",是格式化的合同语言,类似采用大写形式的还有:IN CONSIDERATION OF(考虑到,以为约因)、WHEREAS (鉴于)、IN THE PRESENCE OF (见证人)、NOWTHEREFORE(特此、兹特)、NOW THESE PRESENTS WITNESS(兹特立约为据)。

当然,类似这样运用大量"古体词"的句子在任何一本英文合同里都可以出上百句来。于是我们整理了这么一个列表,如果将下述词汇全都理解透,相信各位一定会对法律英语有进一步的了解,至少能更顺利地阅读法律文本。

1. hereafter
after this in sequence or in time, in some future time or state(此后,以下)
例句:
Both parties must agree to the terms specified hereunder.
双方均须同意以下条款。

2. hereby
by this means(以此方式,以此,特此)
例句:
I hereby acknowledge receipt of your letter of 25 July.
特此告知贵方7月25日的来函收悉。

3. herefrom
from this fact or statement(由此,从此)
例句:
The organization, XXXX, will be liable for any economic and legal liability incurred herefrom.
XXX一方将承担由此产生的一切经济和法律责任。

4. herein
in this document(此中,于此,在此文件中)
例句:
The statements and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the Wilson Centre.
本书中的陈述和观点为作者个人意见,不一定代表威尔逊中心的看法。

5. hereinabove
at a prior point in this writing or document(前文,上文)
例句:
Any tax or duty other than those described hereinabove, if any, be borne by the Buyer.
除上述的税务和关税外,如果产生其他的税务和关税,应有买方负担。

6. hereinafter
in the following part of this writing or document(在下文)
例句:
These territories are hereinafter referred to as trust territories.
此项领土以下简称“托管领土”。

7. hereinbefore
in the preceding part of this writing or document(在上文)
例句:
The hereinbefore is authentic and assures our business activities are legal.
以上所填内容属实,保证所从事的经济活动符合法律法规。

8. hereof
of this(就此,关于此)
例句:
The amount of each drawing must be endorsed on reverse hereof.
每笔汇票金额必须在信用证背面给予签注。

9. hereto
to this writing or document(对此,至此)expressed翻译
例句:
The Parties hereto reach an agreement in writing.
双方达成书面协议。

10. hereunder
under or in accordance with this writing or document(在下面,在下文)
例句:
Please quote us your lowest price for the items listed hereunder.
请报下列商品的最低价。