Line在商务英语中的用法译解

2022-12-22

1 引言

英语单词中, line一词, 日常用法比较平常普通, 容易理解接受, 但在商务英语表达中, 该词用法却复杂繁琐, 写作翻译时, 需要仔细揣磨, 否则一不小心, 就可能造成译文误解, 影响正常的商务交往.

line一词原意为:“线条、直线” (a piece of thread) 、“行列、排” (row) 、“方针、路线、方法” (an official policy;means) 等意。我们常说:Hold the line, please.别挂线, 请稍候。The boys were standing in line.男孩子们排成队站着。There were deep lines on her face.她脸上有很深的皱纹。此词同时还具有其它引申义:to toe the line服从纪律、接受团体的思想、计划;to take a strong line断然处理问题, to reach the end of the line (reach the last stages) 穷途末路;Hord lines!你运气太坏了!等等。在商务英语表达中, 该词运用非常广泛, 含义与用法与普通英语大相径庭。本文就商务英语中常见用法含义归纳总结, 举例说明。为正确理解, 准确运用该词进行探讨。

2“line”在商务英语中的常见用法和例译

现将line在商务英语中的常见用法和译文逐一概括如下:

2.1 行业、业务 (a kind of business or job)

We have been for many years in the chemical line.

我们从事化工行业已经有很多年了。

Being specialized in the export of Chinese.Art and Craft goods we express our desire to trade with you in the line.

我们专门出口中国工艺品, 愿与贵方开展这方面的业务。

We are introducing ourselves as one of the leading exporters of the same line of business。

我公司是一家同行业的领导性的出口企业。

2.2 (货品) 种类、系列 (class of commercial goods, type of goods)

We’re going to present the full line of shoe samples at the Pairs Shoe show opening on February1.

我们将于2月1日开幕的巴黎鞋展上展出各种各样的鞋样品。

Brand South Pole is the best-selling line in wollen underwear.

南极牌是最畅销的一种羊毛内衣。

They recommended a fashion line in hats that suit the European market.

他们推荐了一款适合欧洲市场的时尚的帽子。

2.3 货品 (item, article, commodity)

We have considered your proposal to receive a trial delivery of our cutlery on consignment and are sending you a representative selection of our most popular lines.

我们已考虑贵方关于用寄售方式试销我方刀具的建议, 现选出极受欢迎的有代表性的货品一批发往贵方。

We enclose a copy of the new season’s catalogue, introducing many novelties and some variations on the lines which were most popular last season.

随函附上新季度目录一份, 介绍许多新品种及上季度受欢迎的货物的新样。

This line has achieved an annual volume of business of$100, 000.

这类商品一年做了十万美元的交易。

2.4 信, 信函 (letter)

The purport of this line is to advise you that the relative L/C has established.

本函的意思是要通知贵方有关的信用证已开立。需要提出的是:line的这一用法现在已陈旧。

2.5 (航运、航空) 公司

The shipping line lost considerably by it.

该航运公司由此受到相当大的损失。

How can South Air Line survive against the back drop of a sluggish world economy?

南方航空公司在世界经济萧条的背景下怎样才能幸存下来呢?

Atlantic Container Line大西洋集装箱海运公司

2.6 限额, 限度 (mark made to limit)

For the present we extend to the firm a credit line of four low figures in sterling in their imports.

现在对于该公司的进口, 我们 (银行) 给予他们英镑低四位数的信用贷款

2.7 line.v.内衬, 加衬于 (add a layer of material to the inside of)

1) Please ship the above order in foamlined boxes.

上述货物使用内衬塑料泡沫箱子装运。

2) Our Men’s shirts should be packed each in a poly bag, 5 dozen to a carton lined with waterproof paper.

我们另外衬衫的包装为每件套塑料袋, 五打装低板箱, 内衬防潮低。

下面是line搭配的不同词组含义及译义

2.8 along (on) these lines关于这些方面, 按这种方式 (covering these respects, according to this way)

Now we’re interested in Chinese Green Tea, and are ignoring what items along these lines you are in a position to offer.

现在我们想购买中国的绿茶, 请告在这些方面你方能够报盘的有些什么商品。

If you’re interested in our terms of payment, we suggest a sales contract on the lines of the model agreement enclosed.

如果贵方对我方付款条件感兴趣, 我们建议按照所附标准协议的方式签订销售合同。

2.9 bottom line盈亏数目;实际收入;关键问题{actual income;crucial factor}

The bottom line for 2005 was pretax profit of$600, 000.

2005年公司财务实际收入是税前利润60万美元。

Sales last month failed to add to the company’s bottom line.

上月经销额没能使公司盈利增加。

The bottom line is that we have to increase ourselves or take a cut in pay.

关键问题是我们必须增加销售额, 否则就得减工资。

2.10 in line (with) 与……相符, 与……一致 (in agreement with)

Our quotation always comes in line the world market.

我们的报价总是符合国际市场价格水平的。

In line=in line with the market price.

Our offer is obviously in line with the price ruling in the present market, so other buyers in your neighboring countries are buying freely at our quoted price.

很明显我方报盘与目前市场现行价格是一致的, 因此贵方邻边国家的其它买主都以我方所报盘价格大量购买。

Your payment is not in line with the stipulations in the Sales Contract.

你方付款与销售合同的规定不一致。