從句法角度上講，定語從句是次要成分，但在語言的作用上，卻有著重要的地位。由于合同語言要求準(zhǔn)確和規(guī)范，如果缺少了定語從句，合同條款的語義往往很難達意完整。因此，定語從句在合同英語中的應(yīng)用較廣泛。英語的定語從句可分為限定性定語從句和非限定性定語從句兩大類?，F(xiàn)就這兩類定語從句的處理方法分述如下：
(1)限制性定語從句的翻譯：限制性定語從句與先行詞的關(guān)系十分密切，少了它，句義往往不夠完善。在翻譯這類從句時，往往釆用合譯的手法，常把限制性定語從句譯成漢語的“……的”結(jié)構(gòu)，并置于被修飾詞之前。例如：
①If the Buyer is unable to sell out the amount of goods which he has agreed to purchase from the Seller，the Buyer may reduce the quantity of goods to be delivered to him by giving written notice thereof to the Seller before the shipment is made.
如果買方不能銷售他巳同意從賣方所購數(shù)量的貨物，買方可以書面通知賣方減少發(fā)貨數(shù)量，再要求賣方發(fā)貨。
②Within 15 days after the arrival of the goods at destination，should the quality, specifications, or quantity be found not in conformity with the stipulations to the Contract except those claims for which the insurance company or the owners of the vessels are liable, the buyer shall, on the strength of the Inspection Certificate issued by the China Import and Export Commodity Inspection Bureau，have the right to claim for replacement with new goods，or for compensation，and all the expenses shall be borne by the Seller.
貨物運抵目的港之日起，15天內(nèi)，除應(yīng)由保險公司和船主負(fù)責(zé)的索賠外， 如果發(fā)現(xiàn)貨物的質(zhì)量、規(guī)格或數(shù)量與本合同規(guī)定不符，買方憑中國進出口商品檢驗局出具的檢驗證書，有權(quán)要求更換新貨，或要求補償。所有的費用應(yīng)由賣方承擔(dān)。
③ Acceptance tests will be carried out and，unless otherwise agreed，will be made at the Buyer's works and during normal working hours. If the technical requirements of the tests are not specified in the Contract, the tests will be carried out in accordance with the general practice obtaining in the appropriate branch of the industry in the Country where the Plant is manufactured.
除另有約定外，驗收測試應(yīng)在買方工廠并在正常工作時間內(nèi)進行。如果合同中沒有規(guī)定測試的技術(shù)條件，測試應(yīng)按設(shè)備制造所在國相應(yīng)的工業(yè)部門所要求的通常慣例進行。
限制性定語從句的翻譯方法，除以上最基本的合譯法外，有時還可采用分譯的方法處理。例如：
④ The Seller ensures that all the equipment listed in Appendix one to the Contract are brand-new products whose performance shall be in conformity with the Contract and which are manufactured according to current Chinese National Standards or Manufacturers Standard.
賣方保證本合同附件一所列全部設(shè)備都是新產(chǎn)品，是根據(jù)現(xiàn)行的中國國家標(biāo)準(zhǔn)或生產(chǎn)標(biāo)準(zhǔn)制造的，其性能符合合同規(guī)定。
⑤ All drawings，designs, specifications and all other technical information made available under this Contact by Party B shall be kept strictly confidential by Party A who shall not sell，transfer or divulge it to anyone without the written consent of Party B，except those of its own employees who will be using it in the manufacture of the product.
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