刘宓庆曾说过：语际的意义转换不能是随意的，它必须遵循一定的规范，才能使翻译成为有意义的社会行为。尤其是合同翻译，它并不是一种随心所欲的再创作，必须有一定的标准作为指导。翻译的标准不可能像物理、化学或数学那样，有固定的公式。关于翻译的标准，不同的学者在不同时期有不同的理解和阐述。   

    在中国，谈到翻译的标准，人们首先会想到严复提出的“信”（faithfulness）、“达”（expressiveness）、“雅”（elegance）。这是严复在《天演论》序言中提出的：“译事三难：信、达、雅。求其信，已大难矣。顾信矣不达，虽译犹不译也，则达尚焉。┅┅易曰修辞立诚。子曰辞达而已。又曰言之无文，行之不远。三者乃文章正轨，亦即为译事楷模。故信达而外，求其尔雅。

    在英国，早在18世纪，著名的翻译家泰特勒（Alexander F. Tytler）也提出了一个翻译的三原则：A translation should give a complete transcript of the ideas of the original work. （译文应完整地复述出原作的思想）；The style and manner of writing should be of the same character as that of the original. （译文的风格和手法应与原作的性质一致）；A translation should have all the ease of the original composition. （译文应和原作一样流畅）。

    除了严复，鲁迅提出了“信”与“顺”，指出凡是翻译必须兼顾两面，“一当然力求其易解，  二则保存着原作的丰姿。”而在论述二者之间的关系时，鲁迅提倡“宁信而不顺”。林语堂在1933年的《论翻译》一文中提出了三条标准：忠实标准、通顺标准、美的标准。这三条标准分别体现了译者对原著者的责任、译者对中国读者的责任以及译者对艺术的责任。傅雷提出了“传神说”，他在1951年《高老头——重译本序》中提到：“以效果而论，翻译应当像临画一样，所求的不在形似而在神似。”钱钟书则强调“化境”，认为文学翻译的最高理想是“化”。把作品从一国文字转变成另一国文字，既能不因语文习惯的差异而露出生硬牵强的痕迹，又能完全保存原作的风味，即入于“化境”。

关于合同翻译的标准不可能在任何情况下都保持一致，到底采用何种标准受很多因素的影响，如文体、译者的翻译意图、目标读者群等等。但翻译的根本标准应以“忠实”为核心，既忠实于原作的思想内容，又保持原作的风格。

我们来看看合同翻译的一些典型句型，可以从中管窥出一些合同翻译的标准和何时应该灵活处理。

Upon first presentation the buyer shall pay against documentary draft drawn by the seller at sight. The shipping documents are to be delivered against payment only.

买方凭卖方开具的跟单汇票，于第一次见票时立即付款，付款后交单。

In the event the Buyer does not furnish the seller with shipping instructions on or before August 17, 2007, the Seller may at his option cancel this contract and demand the Buyer to pay any damages he has sustained on account of such failure of the Buyer to give such instructions.

如果买方没有在2007年8月17日之前发给卖方装运通知，卖方可以自行取消取消合同，由于买方没有提供给卖方装运说明所引起的卖方已经承担的一切损失，将要求买方全部承担。

If any change is required regarding the terms and conditions of this Agreement, then both parties shall negotiate in order to find a suitable solution, change of this Agreement shall be subject to the approval by the Canadian Government.

如果此项协议的有关条款或者条件需要变更，双方应进行协议解决。此协议的任何变动必须通过加拿大政府的批准方可生效。

“Provisional Sum” means a sum included in the Contract and so designated in the Bill of Qualities for the execution of work or the supply of goods, materials, or services, or for contingencies, which sum may be used, in whole or in part, or not at all, at the direction and discretion of the Engineer.

备用款是指在合同所含的，用于工程清单的专用款项。该用于施工，供货，供料，服务或者意外事故。它可能被全部使用，也可能被部分使用，或者根本不被使用，其使用情况都由工程师全权决定。

The Contractor shall, subject to the provisions of the Contract, and with due care and diligence, execute and maintain the Works and provide all labor, including the supervision thereof, materials, constructional plant and all other things, whether of a temporary or permanent nature, required in and for such execution and maintenance.

承包人应当根据合同的各项规定，认真负责任，小心谨慎地进行施工和维修，并提供所有劳务，包括监工，材料，施工设施备以及施工或维修，短期或长期的其他所有事项。

No salary shall be paid and charged against the operating expenses, provided that the commission or brokerage of the Second Party shall be paid and charged as a part of operating expenses.

如果第二方的佣金或回扣作为营业费用的一部分，营业费用中将不含工资。

If the technical documentation supplied by party B is not in conformity with Clause 9.1 of the contract, Party B shall be paid and charged as a part of the operating expenses.

如果乙方提供的技术资料与合同中的条款9.1项不一致，乙方应该支付给甲方一部分的营业费用。

The Seller, provide that Buyer so agrees, may retain the whole or part of the said incomplete equipment, fabricated or unfabricated parts, work-in-process, and other material referred to in paragraph (D) of this Article in which the amount to be paid by the Buyer shall be reduced by a sum equal to the value of the property so retained.

如果买方同意，卖方可以完全或部分保留上述提未完成的设备，已加工和未加工的零件，正在加工的产品，以及条款D中所提到的任何材料。在这个条款中，买方需支付的费用应该减去卖方保留的物品的价格。

Within 30 days after the signing and coming into effect of this contract, the Buyer shall proceed to pay the price for the goods to the Seller by opening an irrevocable L/C for the full amount of USD30, 000 in favor of the Seller through a bank at export point so that the seller may draw the sum in due time.

买方应在合同签字生效30天内，通过外汇银行向卖方开具不可撤销信用证，全额3万美元，向卖方支付货物价钱，以便卖方能够如期收款。

Should the Seller fail to make delivery on time as stipulated in the Contract with the exception of force majeure specified in Clause 18 of this Contract, the Buyer shall agree to postpone the delivery On condition that the Seller should agree to pay a penalty which shall be deducted by the paying bank from the payment under negotiation.

如果卖方不是由于合同中第18条细化的不可抗力未按照合同规定的期限按时交货，则只要卖方同意承担违约金，买方应该同意延期交货。违约金应在汇入行中从协议款项中扣除。

Seller shall have the option of delivering 5% more or less on the Contract quantity. Such surplus or deficiency shall be settled at the market price on the day of the vessel’s arrival, the value shall be fixed by arbitration unless mutually agreed.

卖方有权按合同规定数量的5%溢短交货。溢短部分应以船抵之日的市场价计算。如果双方有异议，其价格将由仲裁判定为准。

In case the Contract is concluded on CIF basis, the insurance shall be effected by the Seller for 110% of invoice value covering all risks, war risks, S.R.C.C risks (i.e. Strike, Riot, and Civil Commotions).

在到岸价基础上订立的合同，将由卖方以发票110%的金额投保综合险，战争险，罢工险，暴乱险，民变险。