1、Outline Syntactic Ambiguity defined Syntactic Ambiguity exemplified Syntactic Ambiguity in law Definition: InEnglishgrammar,syntacticambiguityisthepresenceoftwoormorepossiblemeaningswithinasinglesentenceorsequenceofwords. byRichard Nordquist https:/ The professor said on Monday he would give an exam

2、. The chicken is ready to eat. The burglar threatened the student with the knife. Visiting relatives can be boring. “This morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas I dont know.”(Groucho Marx）Syntactic Ambiguity exemplifiedEduardum occidere nolite timere bonum est. Edward II

3、by Marlowe According to legend, Isabella of France and Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March famously plotted to murder Edward II of England in such a way as not to draw blame on themselves, sending a famous order in Latin which, depending on where the comma was inserted, could mean either Do not be afr

4、aid to kill Edward; it is good or Do not kill Edward; it is good to fear:Im glad Im a man, and so is Lola. Lola by Ray Davies Can mean Lola and I are both glad Im a man, or Im glad Lola and I are both men, or Im glad Im a man, and Lola is also glad to be a man. Ray Davies deliberately wrote this amb

5、iguity into the song, referring to a cross-dresser.John saw the man on the mountain with a telescope. Who is on the mountain? John, the man, or both? Who has the telescope? John, the man, or the mountain?The word of the Lord came to Zechariah, son of Berekiah, son of Iddo, the prophet. Is the prophe

6、t Zechariah or Iddo?Syntactic Ambiguity in law第一章 英語中的歧義和系列逗號第一節 英語中的歧義第二節 系列逗號第二章 如何確認歧義和在起草文書時避免歧義第一節 短語形容詞第二節 限制性從句與非限制性從句第三章 否定加從句形式和相互關系歧義第一節 否定加從句形式第二節 相互關系歧義第四章 后修飾語的歧義第一節 單項選擇性修飾歧義第二節 多項選擇性修飾歧義第三節 實踐中遇到的單項選擇性修飾歧義和多項選擇性修飾歧義的例句第五章 用圖解顯示歧義的形式第六章 多種消除歧義的方法第七章 最后先行詞規則第一節 引言第二節 何為最后先行詞規則第三節 規則從何而來

7、第四節 有關最后先行詞規則的十個問題與解答第五節 一些次要規則第八章 副詞、介詞以及前修飾語的句法歧義第一節 副詞、副詞短語或其他短語造成的歧義第二節 介詞范圍引起的歧義第三節 前修飾語第九章 起草法律文書時避免句法歧義第一節 運用起草規則時必須注意的幾個方面第二節 有關的起草文件規則第十章 在中文譯文中表述英文原文的句法歧義第一節 十個要點第二節 在翻譯過程中如何表述英文原文句法歧義及相關問題第三節 如何處理英譯中時碰到的后修飾語歧義第四節 譯者應注意的一些情況第十一章 前修飾語及前修飾和后修飾之間的關系第一節 省略、簡化及前修飾語第二節 前修飾語的基本形式第三節 前置或后置的副詞和狀語短語

8、及歧義第四節 前修飾語和后修飾語的組合第十二章 漢語的句法歧義第一節 漢語作為源語的文本第二節 英文作為目的語的文本第三節 結論第十三章 中英雙語法律文書中常見的錯誤以及造成錯誤的原因第一節 翻譯時的錯誤第二節 結論 英語中的歧義和系列逗號英語中的歧義和系列逗號 (第一章第一章 ) 一份合同P12： “Manufacturer will supply mobile phones in the following colors: silver, pink, blue and black. ” 一項市政條例： “The screening panel consists of five judges

9、, two Democrats and three Republicans.” 一個律師事務所的作品，有關合資企業合同： “The General Manager, the Chief Accountant and 空白 will be nominated by Party B.” 一項市政法令P14： “The Health Inspector may close a restaurant because of fire hazards, unclean facilities and rats. ” 一項地方法令P16： “This regulation applies to cars, t

10、rucks and vans that use ethanol.” 一份將果園連同1982年水果產品一起出售的不動產合同： “Property Sold: On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Real Estate Contract, Seller agrees to sell to Buyer and Buyer agrees to purchase from Seller the equipment stated in Schedule 1 attached hereto and incorporated

11、 herein; the 1982 fruit crop and the following legally described real property in Douglas County, Washington, with title free of encumbrances and defects, except as set forth on and subject to Schedule 2 attached.” 劃線部分是后修飾語。它是否不僅修飾“real property”也修飾“the 1982 fruit crop”？ 法院裁定不修飾“the 1982 fruit crop

12、”，因為法院在審查整個交易后認定“crop”后邊有一個分號唄錯誤地省略掉了。如何確認歧義和在起草文書時避免歧義如何確認歧義和在起草文書時避免歧義（第二章）（第二章） 第一節第一節 短語形容詞短語形容詞前修飾語和后修飾語 P21 “any person that holds shares”“any person holding shares”“any share holding person”“any share-holding person”一般文書中使用連字符的短語形容詞P22 Advance-free loanBalance-of-payments difficulties Modern-

13、dance festival 法律文書中使用連字符的短語形容詞P23-24 Breach of contract claims (contract claims that have been breached)Breach-of-contract claimsComparative law firm economicsComparative law-firm economicsAn ill educated man An ill-educated man Indian fighter (a fighter who is an Indian)Indian-fighter (a fighter w

14、ho fights against Indians)Little used carLittle-used carProfit and loss statementsProfit-and-loss statements第二節第二節 限制性從句與非限制性從句限制性從句與非限制性從句 P30 A whole new approach to water law had to be developed in the Western States that could not support agriculture without irrigation. 限制性的，西部那些沒有灌溉就無法支持農業的州。 A

15、 whole new approach to water law had to be developed in the Western States, which could not support agriculture without irrigation. 非限制性的，所有西部各州沒有灌溉就無法支持農業 A whole new approach to water law had to be developed in the Western States which could not support agriculture without irrigation. 歧義的，限制性的還是非限

16、制性的？不清楚 P32 Campers should avoid the beaches where robberies have been reported. Campers should avoid the beaches, where robberies have been reported. 第三章第三章 否定加從句形式和相互關系歧義否定加從句形式和相互關系歧義第一節 否定加從句形式 P48 He didnt leave because he was afraid. What does the above sentence mean? He didnt leave because he

17、 was afraid. He didnt leave because he was afraid. Owner may not deny requests for time extensions because of anticipated labor disputes. what meaning? Owner may not deny, because of anticipated labor disputes, requests for time extensions. Owner may not deny requests for time extensions that arise

18、because of anticipated labor disputes. 后修飾語的歧義后修飾語的歧義(第四章第四章) 第一節第一節 單項選擇性修飾歧義單項選擇性修飾歧義 一份保險單一份保險單 P73 “Any disability caused wholly or party by a disease of organs of the body not common to both sexes” 短語“not common to both sexes”是修飾“disease”還是修飾“organs”？ 在Business Mens Assurance Association v. Rea

19、d, 48 S.W. 2d 678,679 (Tex. App. 1932) 這個案子中，德克薩斯州民事上訴法院裁決，這個短語修飾“organs”。一份合資公司的諒解備忘一份合資公司的諒解備忘錄錄“Registration fees and other incorporation expenses incurred and directly related to the establishment of the PRC Company will be shared by the parties in proportion to their contributions to the regist

20、ered capital of the PRC Company prior to the establishment of the PRC Company.”“prior to the establishment of the PRC Company”是修飾 “contributions to the registered capital”，還是修飾“shared by the parties”或“incurred”？從邏輯上講，它應該修飾“incurred”。為消除歧義，應改為： “Registration fees and other incorporation expenses incu

21、rred prior to the establishment of the PRC Company and directly related to the establishment of the PRC Company will be shared by the parties in proportion to their contributions to the registered capital of the PRC Company.”美國美國1917年年6月月15日法日法令令P76“Sec. 3， During a war in which the United States is

22、 a neutral nation, it shall be unlawful to send out of the jurisdiction of the United States any vessel, built, armed, or equipped as a vessel of war, or converted from a private vessel into a vessel of war, with any intent or under any agreement or contract, written or oral, that such vessel shall

23、be delivered to a belligerent nation, or to an agent, officer, or citizen of such nation, or with reasonable cause to believe that the said vessel shall or will be employed in the service of any such belligerent nation after its departure from the jurisdiction of the United States.”Winston Churchill

24、Roosevelt Dean AchesonRobert JacksonFifty Ships that Saved the World一宗英國案例一宗英國案例 “一個逗號把一個逗號把羅杰羅杰凱斯門特絞死凱斯門特絞死了！了！”P78 這是20世紀初英國一宗非常有名的案例：羅杰凱斯門特（Roger Casement），一個愛爾蘭人，在德國幫助愛爾蘭的反叛，當返回愛爾蘭時他被指控犯有叛國罪。 1351年叛國法規定：凡是從事以下行為的人均犯有叛國罪： “or if a man do levy war against our said Lord the King in his Realm, or be

25、 adherent to the Kings enemies in his Realm, giving to them aid or comfort in the Realm, or else where ”英文譯文，原文法語被告方申辯，“or elsewhere”只修飾在它前面的那個短語“giving to them aid or comfort”。檢察官的一種解釋：If a man do levy war against our said Lord the King in his Realm or else where or is adherent to the Kings enemies

26、 in his Realm, giving to them aid or comfort.檢察官的主要解釋：If a man in the Kings Realm levies war against the King or a man in the Kings Realm or elsewhere is adherent to the Kings enemies, giving to them aid or comfort in the Kings Realm or elsewhere.被告的解釋：If a man in the Kings Realm levies war against

27、the King or is adherent to the Kings enemies, giving to them aid or comfort in the Kings Realm or elsewhere.第二節第二節 多項選擇性修飾歧多項選擇性修飾歧義義一項法令P83A pupil must not, on the ground of religious belief, be excluded from or placed in an inferior position in any school, college, or hostel provided by the counci

28、l.這里的問題是“provided by the council”是否不僅修飾“hostel”，也修飾“school”和“college”？可改為：A pupil must not, on the ground of religious belief, be excluded from or placed in an inferior position in any hostel provided by the council or in any school or college.或改為：A pupil must not, on the ground of religious belief,

29、 be excluded from or placed in an inferior position in any hostel where the school, college or hostel is provided by the council.一項英聯邦的法規一項英聯邦的法規P84“The corporation must not borrow money except from the central bank or any other person with the approval of the Minister.”可改為：“The corporation must not

30、 borrow money except, with the approval of the Minister, from the central bank or any other person.”或改為：“The corporation must not borrow money except from any other person with the approval of the Minister or from the central bank.”1968年犯罪控制和平安街道綜合法案Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968

31、 第1202（a）： “Any person who- （1）has been convicted by a court of the United States or of a state or any political division thereof of a felony and who receives, possesses, or transports in commerce or affecting commerce any firearm shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than

32、two years, or both.”短語“in commerce or affecting commerce”是否既修飾“transports”，也修飾“possesses”和“receives”？在United States v. Bass, 404 U.S. 336 (1971)一案中，美國最高法院判決，這個短語也修飾“possesses”和“receives”。“The Company may by notice in writing terminate this Agreement” upon the occurrence of any of the following event

33、s: (c) the Employee has committed an act of serious dereliction of duty or graft, causing substantial to the interests of the company.問題：短語“causingharm”是否不僅修飾“graft”，也修飾“dereliction”？修改：the Employee has caused substantial harm to the interests of the company by committing either an act of serious de

34、reliction of duty or graft, or both.P91“All domestic water piping and rainwater piping installed above finished ceilings under this specification shall be insulated”問題： “installed above finished ceilings”是只修飾rainwater piping，還是也修飾domestic water piping ？在Paul W.Abbott，Incorporated v. Axel Newman Heat

35、ing and Plumbing Company, 282 Minn. 493, 494, 166 N. W. 2d 323, 324(1969)案中，明尼蘇達州最高法院判定，它對兩處都修飾。首先一項通用原則，即多個名詞前有“all，those，each”等限定詞，則后修飾語適用于所有名詞。其次，該例中，兩個名詞前都是有幾個音節的形容詞，這種情況似乎削弱了限定詞“all”的作用。如果原文是“All piping and wiring that are to be insulated”, 意思會更清楚，因為復數動詞“are”表示“piping”和“wiring”都會在天花板上面安裝。最后，該例子

36、比較特別。如果都修飾，起草人為什么不寫成“All domestic-water and rainwater piping installed”呢？根據否定意義推定，起草人之所以沒有采用那樣的句子結構，其本意可能是，后修飾語只修飾離它近一點的“rainwater piping”.P92-93一項華盛頓關于房產的法令“The following transfers are not subject to this Article: (4) Sales by executors, administrators, receivers, trustees in bankruptcy, or any pub

37、lic officer under judicial process.”問題：“under judicial process”修飾誰？答案：在Judson v. Associated Meats and Seafoods, 32 Wash. App. 794, 799, 651 P. 2d 222, 225(Ct. App. 1982)案中，華盛頓上訴法院判決，這個短語只修飾“public officer”。作出這個判決的重要因素也許是，限定詞“any”只用在列舉的最后一個并列成分前。【p93】副詞、介詞等C8 選自一份小說 “Drinking normally did not worry t

38、hem.” 修改： “Normal Drinking did not worry them.” “Normally，drinking did not worry them.”副詞、介詞等C8 “The trustee shall require him promptly to repay the loan.” 翻譯：？ 修改： “The trustee shall require that he promptly repay the loan.” “The trustee shall promptly require him to repay the loan.” 選自一份章程 “The ch

39、airman of the council only may authorize expenditures exceeding $10,000.” 修改： “Only the chairman of the council may authorize expenditures exceeding $10,000.” “The chairman of the council may only authorize expenditures exceeding $10,000.” P182 選自一封信 “He promised to exercise more control at the comm

40、ittee meeting.” 修改： “At the committee meeting，he promised to exercise more control.” “He promised that he would exercise more control at the committee meeting.” 摘自一項規定 “Every owner of gold bullion in New Zealand must” 修改： “Every person in New Zealand who owns gold bullion must” “Every person who owns gold bullion in New Zealand must”英國1981年藐視法庭法第12（1）（6）段賦予治安法庭法官管轄權以處置任何人：“who willfully interrupts the proceedings of the court or otherwise misbehaves in court.”翻譯及問題：短語“in court”是否既修飾“otherwise misbehaves ”也修飾“willfully int