Analysis of Common Examples of Word Translation Errors 1

In business English teaching, the author finds that some common words in foreign trade English are easily mistranslated, because the same words in business English have different meanings in different situations. Now try to compare the different uses and meanings of these words.

Example 1: Floating

The world has witnessed the return of the exchange rate system. Central banks no longer need to support their own currencies.

Floating policy is very important to export trade; In fact, this is a convenient method of cargo insurance when a large number of similar export transactions are planned, for example, the insured must supply goods to foreign importers under an exclusive sales agreement or maintain a sales subsidiary abroad.

In this case, it is not surprising that countries around the world have resumed floating exchange rates. Central banks will not need to maintain local currency exchange rates.

The exchange rate.

Insurance policy is very important for export trade. It is actually a convenient method in cargo insurance, especially suitable for a batch of similar goods exported at different times, for example, the insured supplies goods to foreign importers according to agency agreements, or appoints sales representatives to set up branches abroad.

Note: the meaning of floating in the above two sentences is completely different. Floating exchange rate means "floating exchange rate", that is, an exchange rate system that floats freely and is completely determined by market forces. Floating policy refers to a kind of continuous long-term insurance certificate used to insure multi-batch freight, which is usually translated as "master policy".

Example 2: Confirmation

I'm glad to inform you that our counter sample will be sent to you by DHL this weekend. Please confirm it as soon as possible so that we can start mass production.

Payment will be made by 100% confirmed and irrevocable letter of credit at sight.

I'm glad to inform you that our counter sample will be sent to you by express mail this weekend. Please confirm as soon as possible so that we can start mass production.

Payment will be made by 100% at sight, confirmed and irrevocable letter of credit.

Note: confirmed has different meanings in these two sentences. In the first sentence, confirm means "confirm". In the second sentence, confirmed letter of credit should be translated as "confirmed letter of credit", which means a bank letter of credit issued by one bank and guaranteed by another bank.

Example 3: Negotiatable

Need a part-time bartender Hours and negotiable.

This bill of lading is issued in negotiable form, so as long as it is endorsed, it constitutes the ownership of the goods and the holder.

Translation:

Recruitment of part-time hotel security guards, working hours and salary are negotiable.

The issued bill of lading is transferable, so as long as it is endorsed on the bill of lading, the ownership of the goods and the holder is determined.

Note: In the first sentence, negotiable means "transferable" and in the second sentence, negotiable means "transferable". After endorsement, the ownership of the "negotiable bill of lading" can be transferred to others. It is worth noting that "negotiating bank"

It is the negotiating bank, that is, the bank that buys or discounts the draft.

Example 4: Discount

If you place regular orders, you can get a 5% discount.

If the seller draws a time draft, they make a trade acceptance. The seller can ask the bank to finance the transaction by purchasing the draft. It is said that this bank

Discount.

If you place regular orders with us, you can get a 5% discount at your convenience.

If the seller draws a time draft to provide credit to the buyer, it is a commercial draft acceptance business. The seller can ask the bank to buy a commercial acceptance bill, and the bank finances the exporter in this way, that is, the bank discounts the bill.

Note: in these two sentences, discount means a discount and the other means a discount. Discount refers to the goods on the basis of the original price.

Percentage price reduction, discount means that the unexpired bill is financed from the bank, and the bank deducts the interest from the purchase date to the maturity date, and after charging a certain handling fee, pays the remaining par value to the holder.

Example 5: Endorsement

Our products have been approved by the National Bureau of Quality Inspection.

The draft must be accompanied by a full set of original on-board ocean bills of lading.

Endorsed in blank, marked freight prepaid.

Our products are recommended by the National Quality Inspection Association.

The draft must be accompanied by a full set of original ocean bills of lading, marked "Goods Received", blank endorsed and marked "Freight Paid".

Note: the "recommendation" in the first sentence means that you are satisfied with a product and introduce it to the public through the media. The "blank endorsement" in the second sentence means that the endorser only signs on the back of the bill without indicating the specific endorsee.