2. 句子：

In order to provide a set of uniform rules for the interpretation of the most commonly used trade terms in foreign trade, ICC first published in 1936 a set of international rules for the interpretation of trade terms known as

“Incoterms 1936“.

這句句子的難點在前半句.我們可以把句子簡化成:

To provide a set of rules for the interpretation of trade terms in foreign trade.

2.1 interpretation “解釋、說明”

2.2 trade terms “貿易術語、貿易條款、貿易條件”

trade practices “貿易慣例,貿易實踐”

trade contract “貿易合同”

trade fair “貿易交易會”

domestic trade “國內貿易”

foreign trade “對外貿易”

句子中其他需要解釋的地方還有:

2.3 uniform = the same

2.4 commonly = generally, usually “通常地、一般地、普遍地”

2.5 be known as “通稱為,以…著稱”

3. 我們把兩句句子連在一起看, 注釋的重點應放在前一句：

Later amendments and additions were made to it to bring the rules in line with current international trade practices. The latest edition is “Incoterms 2000”, which include 13 different international trade terms.

3.1 later / latest

(1) Later amendments and additions were … 第一句

(2) The latest edition is “Incoterms 2000”,… 第二句

我們需要注意這樣一個字型形似的問題:

表示時間概念上的比較級和最高級: late – later – latest

(晚的 – 稍后,隨后 – 最近的,最新的)

表示順序概念上的比較級和最高級: late – latter – last

(晚的 – 后面的 – 最后的)

3.2 amendment and addition were made to it …

(1) amend (尤指對規則、法律、聲明等條款所作的)“修正,修訂,修改”.

名詞: amendment (做可數名詞時的解釋.)

這些相關聯的名詞還有:

revise (尤指為改正或修訂而仔細閱讀并)“校訂,修訂”.

例如: a revised edition (修訂版)

名詞: revision

modify (尤指輕微的)“修改,更改”.

名詞: modification

edition (書籍、報刊等)“版本,版次”.

例如: the latest edition

動詞: edit

publication “出版物”.

動詞: publish

(2) addition 原意是“增加物”. 這里指添加的條款或內容.

3.3 (be) in line (with) = in agreement with

(與…齊的,與…平的,引申為與…相同,與…一致,與…相適應)

反義詞: (be) out of line (with)

3.4 current = of the present time (現今的,時下的,當代的)

4. 句子：

Each term specifies whether the buyer or the seller is responsible for arranging such necessities as export license, customs clearance, inspections, and other obligations.

我們可以換成這樣一句句子來加以理解:

Each term specifies the traders must bear each relevant responsibility and obligation. 即貿易商都必須承擔(bear)各自相關的責任和義務.

4.1 responsibility / obligation / duty / be responsible for sth.

4.1.1 responsibility = duty 解釋 “責任”, 其涵義在于:

出于法律、道德、職業等要求必須對他人承擔或履行的責任. 這是一個比較正規的用詞.

4.1.2 obligation = duty 解釋 “義務”, 其涵義在于:

強調因為合同、承諾、道義等因素而產生的約束力.尤其是指來自于外部的具體的、明確的約束力.

這是一個比較正規的用詞,當該詞做可數名詞用的時候,是指“個人的本職或具體的工作”. 它的反義詞是 right (權利)

4.1.3 duty 解釋 “責任、義務”, 這是一個常規用詞.

強調應當去做或者避免去做一件事;它的涵義側重于發自內心.從道德、倫理、良心或傳統習慣等出發的責任和義務. duty 可指的責任或義務可對己,也可對人.

4.1.4 be responsible for sth 課文里面的用詞,意思是“對…負責”. 其涵義在于:

指人在道義上負有某義務或要施行某責任.

4.2 簡化句中的 traders 對應于原句中的哪部分呢?

traders 和課文中的 whether the buyer or the seller 這個部分相對應.

whether A or B: “不論是 A 還是 B”.值得注意的是后面的動詞用單數形式. 課文中用的是 is.

4.3 簡化句中的 relevant,也就是詞組be responsible for后面的這個 sth. 那么, 貿易商究竟要對哪些 sth 負責呢?

such necessities as export license, customs clearance, inspections, and…

4.3.1 such A as B 解釋“如…的,像…的”:

4.3.2 這里的 A 是指 necessity, 復數: necessities.

necessity 原意:“必然的事,決不可無的事”這里可解釋為“必定要做的事”. 課文中用的是復數,意思是要做的事情還不止一件哦.

4.3.3 這里的 B 是指:

(1) export license (英語用:licence,美語用:license,下同): 出口許可證

import license 進口許可證

license system 許可證制度

license-trading 許可證貿易

driving license 駕駛執照

license / licence 一般指的是由法律認可的機構發給的正式書面的許可證.

(2) inspection 檢驗

全稱是: commodity inspection 商品檢驗

再如: shanghai entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureau

上海出入境檢驗檢疫局

4.3.4 綜合前三例,我們終于明白了:買賣雙方必須各自要對諸如進出口許可證、進出口清結關、商品檢驗檢疫等事項負責.這是他們應盡的責任和義務.

4.5 這句關鍵的一個動詞 specify

(1) specify = to give exact details of something

“明確說明,具體說明,詳述,指明” 由這個動詞引申出來一個很要緊的名詞是: specification (說明書)這些定義性的常見字詞還有:

(2) mean = to represent (a meaning) “意指,意思是…,表示…的意思”

(課文中有這個詞)

(3) state = express in words, esp. carefully, fully and clearly

“陳述,表述”

(4) explain = to give the meaning of something “闡明,說明,解釋”

(5) indicate = state briefly, point out “表明,表示”

(6) define = to explain the exact meaning of (a word, a phrase, etc).

“給…下定義,定義為”

5. 句子：

They specify at which point the risk of loss and/or damage passes from seller to buyer as well as which party pays for specific activities.

我們可以把句子簡化成:

The 13 trade terms specify the transfer of risks (風險的轉移) besides

division of costs (費用的劃分).

5.1 原句中的 they = the 13 trade terms

5.2 transfer of risks (風險的轉移) 系指課文中說的:

at which point the risk of loss and / or damage passes from seller to buyer

5.2.1 point = an exact moment, particular time or state

這是一個抽象的概念,是一個不可數名詞,指“(在空間或時間真實的或想象當中的)點”.例如:

at this point = at this moment or at this place (在此刻,在此地)

at which point = at which moment or at which place (在何時何地)

5.2.2 the risk of loss and / or damage 解釋“貨物滅失或損壞的風險”

5.2.3 pass from … to … 或 pass … to/into …

pass = change (改變事物的狀況,使變成另一種狀態), 例如: Water passes from a liquid to a solid state when it freezes.

課文中的意思是風險點從賣方的手中轉移到買方的手中的

5.3 原句中的 as well as = besides

5.4 division of costs (費用的劃分) 系指課文中說的:

which party pays for specific activities.

5.4.1 activity = things (to be) dong 這個名詞的復數形式尤指“所做或待做的事務、工作等”

5.4.2 specific = detailed and exact, clear in meaning. “具體的、明確的、詳盡的、詳細的”

例如: Be specific in your examination answers. (考試答案力求明確具體)

近義詞: definite

反義詞: approximate (大概的、極近于…的)

pays for specific activities 解釋“支付具體事項的費用”