1. 法律英语中使用where句型的情形
在普通英文中,用where引导的状语从句,一般为地点状语从句。但在法律英文中,where引导的是法律条款中的条件状语从句。通常翻译为如果或......的
(1)如果:
Wherean employee is granted any period of annual leave, the employer shall pay him annual leave pay in respect of that period not later than the day on which he is next paid his wages after that period.
如果雇员被给与任何一段期间的年假,雇主最迟须于该期间后的第一个发薪日付给该雇员该段期间的年假薪酬。
(2)......的:
Wherethe borrower failed to repay the loan at the prescribed time, it shall pay delayed repayment interest in accordance with the contract or the relevant stipulations of the state.
借款人未按照约定的期限返还借款的,应当按照约定或者国家有关规定支付逾期利息。
2. 使用where句型的两个小技巧
当做中译英时,遇到明显可以使用where句型的情况时,由于where引导的条件句可能缺乏主语,这个时候可以巧妙地寻找主语,如例句:
(1)以不正当手段取得医师执业证书的,由发给证书的卫生行政部门予以吊销。
Where a personobtains the doctors license by illegitimate means, the administrative department for health that granted the license shall revoke it.
(2)仿造、变造会计凭证、会计帐簿、编制虚假财务会计报告,构成犯罪的,译法追究刑事责任。
Whereaccounting vouches or account booksare counterfeited or altered, or false financial and accounting reports are prepared, and therefore a crime is constituted, criminal liabilities shall be investigated in accordance with law.
强调:在法律文书的翻译中,where结构是经常用到的。必须指出的是where与when、if的不同。初看之下,好象用where引导的句子,可以用if或when取代。但是细细分析起来,它们之间还是有区别,主要的区别在于,if强调了一种假设,when强调了时间上的关系,而where显得比较客观,读来给人一种庄重的感觉。