論契約英文的特色

On the Traits in the Expressions of the Contract English

現代應用英文，包括商用英文，皆在力求明確、簡潔、口語化。但應用英文中，契約的訂定因文中常涉及法律字詞以及各行習慣性的表達方式；訂約者又因在涵意解釋方面，早已約定成俗，深恐簡化後衍生異議，故契約英文遲遲未能跟著時代的潮流走，亦即契約英文仍然保有其一貫的表達方式。依據作者多年的研究和比對，特列舉其較明顯的特色五點，及應特別注意之處四點，以供訂約者參考。

Modern writers of Applied English, with Business English included, are requested to be more concrete, concise and spontaneous in their writing. But writers of contracts seem not so eager to follow the current tendency, perhaps, for the reason of their worry about the possible differences and disputes arising out of the new explanation of the legal terms and the habitual ways of expression to which they have been accustomed for such a long period of time, if the terms and expressions are simplified or changed. So Contract English still keeps its own ways of expression without much change. A comparative study will show us the remarkable traits -- five main patterns and some noticeable usage, worthy of being recommended to the possible writers of contracts.