筆者在教授商務(wù)英語時(shí)發(fā)現(xiàn)，一些在外貿(mào)英語中頻繁出現(xiàn)的詞匯經(jīng)常被誤譯。這是因?yàn)椋谏虅?wù)英語中，相同的單詞在不同的上下文中可能具有不同的含義。以下是對這些詞匯不同用法和含義的比較說明。1. Floating - 原句：Floating policy is of great importance 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 subsidiary companies abroad. - 譯文：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)代理協(xié)議向國外的進(jìn)口方供貨，或在國外設(shè)立了銷售代表處，分支公司時(shí)用之。 - 注解：在此上下文中，“floating”指的是保險(xiǎn)領(lǐng)域的統(tǒng)保單，而非匯率制度的浮動匯率。2. Confirm - 原句：We would like 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：我們很高興地通知您，我們的回樣將于本周末通過DHL發(fā)送給您，請盡快確認(rèn)，以便我們可以開始大批量生產(chǎn)。付款方式為100%保兌的即期不可撤消信用證。 - 注解：“confirm”在第一句中意味著確認(rèn)，而在第二句中指的是保兌信用證。3. Negotiable - 原句：Part-time barman required. Hours and negotiable. This Bill of Lading is issued in a negotiable form, so it shall constitute title to the goods and the holder, by endorsement of this B/L. - 譯文：招聘兼職酒保，工作時(shí)拆時(shí)間和薪水面議。提單以可轉(zhuǎn)讓形式簽發(fā)，因此提單背書后即確定了貨物和持票人的所有權(quán)。 - 注解：在此，“negotiable”意味著可商議的，而在提單的上下文中指的是可轉(zhuǎn)讓的。4. Discount - 原句：You may get a 5% discount if your order is on a regular basis. If a seller extends credit to a time draft, they have made a trade acceptance. The seller can request the bank finance the transaction by buying the draft. The bank is said to discount. - 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。 - 注解：“discount”在第一句中指的是折扣，在第二句中則是指貼現(xiàn)。5. Endorse - 原句：Our products have been endorsed by the National Quality Inspection. Draft must be accompanied by full set original on board marine Bill of Lading made out to order, endorsed in blank, marked freight prepaid. - 譯文：我們的產(chǎn)品為全國質(zhì)量檢查協(xié)會推薦產(chǎn)品。匯票必須附有全套正本海運(yùn)提單，憑指示空白背書，并注明“運(yùn)費(fèi)已付”。 - 注解：在此，“endorse”在第一句中指的是推薦，在第二句中則是指空白背書。