如何翻译法律文件中的长句 1

会计考友

　　做翻译，最难处理的莫过于长句。这里所谓的“长句”，不单纯就句子的长度而言，而且是指语法结构比较复杂、从句和修饰语较多、包含的内容层次在一个以上的句子。鉴于法律文件的目的、性质和文体特征，其长句出现的频率远远高于其他文字作品，这就给法律翻译造成了额外负担。因此，可以这样说，正确理解和翻译长句，是法律翻译成败的要素之一。
　　翻译长句，首先要从语法分析入手理解句子的完整意思，而后在理解的基础上将其意思用通顺的汉语翻译出来。以“导论”中0.3节所给的长句为例，这个句子的主句（the Parties shall promptly consult and decide whether…）前面有一个很长的条件状语从句（if, after the signing of this Agreement, the Chinese government either at the State, provincial, municipal or local level adopts any new law, regulation, decree or rule, amends or repeals any provision of any law, regulation, decree or rule, or adopts any different interpretation or method of implementation of any law, regulation, decree or rule, which contravenes this Agreement or which materially and adversely affects a Party’s economic benefit under this Agreement, then upon written notice thereof from the affected party to the other Party）和时间状语（then upon written notice thereof from the affected party to the other Party），在条件状语从句中，又夹带着一个时间状语（after the signing of this agreement）和一个定语从句（which contravenes this Agreement or which materially and adversely affects a Party’s economic benefit under this Agreement）。主句本身也相当复杂，除了有主语加两个并立的谓语和宾语的基本句子结构外，两个谓语动词未完分别有方式状语（in accordance with the original provisions thereof as per the relevant provisions of the Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China）及目的状语（in order to preserve each Party’s economic benefit under this Agreement）和方式状语（on a basis no less favourable than the economic benefit it would have received if such law, regulation, decree or rule