The following two samples are written according to the guidelines mentioned above. Now read them and try to figure out how writing principles are applied in them. The questions followed might help you accomplish the task.
Sample 5-1 Sales Contract
Notes
1. for account of 付款方为……
2. Indent No. 订单号indent是中间商受买方委托代购货物而开出的订单, order 则是买方直接开给卖方的订单。二者稍有不同,但现在一般通用。
3. by and between
英语合同的规范性之一表现在近义词、成对词的并列使用,由or或and 连接介词、动词、名词和形容词等词类,例如:by and between(由),for and in consideration of(考虑到,鉴于),for and on behalf of(为了,代表),save and except(除了),in full force and effect(生效),furnish and provide(提供),make and enter into (达成),release and discharge(弃权,让渡),fulfill or perform(履行),procure and ensure(保证和确保),force and effect(效力),right and interest(权益),power and authority(权利),covenants and agreements(契约),terms and conditions(条款),goods and chattels(个人动产,有形动产),customs fees and duties(关税),losses and damages(丢失及损毁),complaints and claims(投诉及索赔),null and void(失效,无效),sole and exclusive(唯一且排他的),final and conclusive(最终及具决定性的),transferable or assignable(可转让的)等。这种表达的目的是使合同条款更加严密,表述更加准确,尽最大可能地避免歧义和疏漏。
4. This contract is made by and between the Sellers and the Buyers.此合同由买卖双方签订。
5. irrevocable and sight L/C in favor of… 以……为受益人的不可撤销即期信用证
6. negotiation 议付(即银行根据信用证付款,信用证业务中特指出口押汇)
7. lodge claim 提出索赔
8. bill of lading (海运)提单提单即承运人收到货物后出具的货物收据,也是承运人所签署的运输契约的证明,还代表所载货物的所有权。
9. quality/quantity discrepancy 质量(数量)差损
10. force majeure 不可抗力
11. arbitration 仲裁
12. shall, should, may, must…英文合同中常见情态动词,其中shall是英文合同中使用频率最高的一个词,也是语气最重的一个词,常用于第三人称,表示法律上必须履行的责任和应尽的义务,如不履行合同条款就会产生违反法律责任和义务的后果,其含义相当于中文的“应当”或“必须”,否定形式在英文合同中常表示不得发生的行为。shall在表示“应该”时不可随便用should代替,should虽然也表示“应该”,但它没有shall那样重的含义,因为should并不表示法律义务,只表示一般的义务或道义上的义务。当should出现在合同中时,它常放在句子的开头,表示一个隐含的条件状语,相当于由if、in case或in the event that 引导的状语从句,其含义相当于中文的“如果”“万一”而不是“应该”。may在英文合同中用于约定当事人的权利(可以做什么),没有任何义务的含义,不带有强制性,有时表示允许或许可,相当于中文的“可以”“得”等含义,其否定形式may not用于禁止性义务(不得做什么),语气不如shall not强烈。must用于强制性义务(必须做什么),但这一义务不一定具有法律的约束力,其否定形式一般不会出现在英文合同中。
Analysis:
这是一则典型的商品销售合同。该合同格式标准,可以作为此类合同的一个良好范本。合同开头部分介绍了合同编号、日期、合同付款方、订单编号等,并对签署双方及条款作了简要说明。接下来是合同最核心的部分,详细列明了具体条款和内容,包括货品名称、规格、数量、价格、装运条件、付款条件、保险、仲裁等。各项条款以序号列明,清晰明了。结尾处对合同语言和签署方式作了简要说明,并留出买卖双方签字盖章的各自区域,确保合同的合法有效性。全文用语准确、正式、专业,凸显了合同严谨的语言特点。
Questions:
1. Is this a form-style contract or clause-style one? Explain.
2. Are the terms and conditions very explicitly listed in this contract? Explain the necessity and significance of this.
3. Do you think the order of the specific terms in this contract can be changed? Why or why not? Explain with examples.
4. What characteristics of language are used in this contract?(www.xing528.com)
5. Compared with other types of contract, what do you think is the highlights of a sales contract?
Sample 5-2 Manufacturing Agreement
Notes
1. herein, whereas, hereinafter, whereof…
本文中出现的这些都是具有鲜明文体色彩的古体词(archaism)。尽管在口语和一般书面语中古体词已不复存在,但在官方文件、法律条文、合同协议、单据等正式文体中却大量出现,充分体现出其庄重严肃的文体风格。这除了与商务英语文体的社会职能密不可分以外,也表明为了显示本行业的特殊性,工商及法律界人士对其有特殊的情结。最常使用的古体词多为一些复合副词,即由 here-, there-和 where-分别加上after, at, by, from, in, of, to, under, upon, with等一个或几个介词共同构成的复合副词,如:herewith(与此一道),therein(在其中),thereinafter(在下文中),thereof(其),thereto(附随),whereas(鉴于)等。这些复合词中的here指的是this,即“本文件(合同,协定等)”,there 指的是 that,即另外的文件(合同,协定等),where 指的是what 或which之意。
2. as of 自……起,截至
e.g. We know that as of last week the goods have not arrived yet.
我方获悉货物直到上周一直都没有到达。
3. warranty 担保
4. in witness whereof, … 为证明以上所述……e.g. In witness whereof,the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by duly and authorized representatives of both parties on the date and year first above written.
为证明以上所述,双方法定代表于前文日期正式签署协议,合约生效。
5. duly executed 合法生效,正确执行
e.g. The project was duly executed.
这一计划顺利地施行了。
Analysis:
这是一份两公司签署的生产制造合约(协议),分为三大部分:开头对协议双方的情况、责任、义务以及合约签署的时间和目的进行了解释和说明;第二部分是合约的具体条款和内容,规定了双方各自的权利和义务,十分详尽(本文进行了省略);最后简单收尾,双方签字盖章生效。
Questions:
1. What are the differences between an agreement and a contract? Compare Sample 5-1 and Sample 5-2.
2. Taking an example of this agreement, what are the effect and significance for the use of archaism in business writing?
3. What is the structure of this manufacturing agreement?
4. How do you think of the signatures of both parties for an agreement?
5. Which parts should be given special attention if we need read either a contract or an agreement quickly and thoroughly?
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