国际交流英语—经典口译

1 经营之道 Business Management

Q:您好，杰克逊先生。您在中国已连续工作了三年，您能否谈一下中美两国生意人在商务沟通方式上有何不同之处？

Hello,Mr.Jackson.You've been working in China for three years.Can you tell us how you feel about the differences in business communication style between Chinese and American businessmen?

A:我很乐意。我认为中美两国生意人在商务沟通方式上至少有两点不同。首先，中国人在商务谈判时倾向使用一种迂回婉转的方式，而美国人则表现出一种直截了当的作风。中国人会花费时间来了解他们将要与之打交道的商人是否靠得住，例如邀请对方参加宴会，同他们进行交流。与之相反，美国人则以“公务为先”的心态行事。第二，中国公司的决策过程耗时冗长。这是因为大部分中国公司遵循着一种“先自下而上、后自上而下、再自下而上”的决策原则，各个层次上的许多人士都介入决策过程。而美国公司通常是由最高管理人士的快速决策来运作。我希望在华的美国商人理解这些商务活动中的差异，适应中国人的经营之道。

With pleasure.I think there are at least two differences in the way of business communication between Chinese and American businesspeople.First,Chinese businessmen tend to have business negotiations in a rather indirect manner,as opposed to the more direct manner of American businesspeople.The Chinese take time to learn if

their prospective business contacts are really reliable,for example,by inviting them to a party and socializing with them.In contrast,Americans usually act with the "get-down-to-business-first" mentality.Second,the decision-making process of Chinese companies is generally slow and time-consuming.This is because most Chinese companies keep to the "bottom-up,then top-down and then bottom-up" decision-making principle which involves many people at different levels.American companies,on the other hand,usually operate with quick decisions made by the top management.I hope American businesspeople in China will understand these differences in business practices and adjust to the Chinese way.

Q:美国式的经营之道在我们中国人看来往往显得咄咄逼人。您在与中国同事的合作中有无注意到这一点？

The American way of doing business often strikes us Chinese as very aggressive.Were you aware of this in your collaboration with your Chinese colleagues?

A:这个嘛，我认为，由于我们有着不同的文化传统，所以我们同大部分中国人相比，显得较为直截了当、开门见山。我注意到许多中国人出于礼貌而经常不明确地说一声“不”。有时我的中国同事道一声“是”，这可不是表示赞同，只是表明他们在注意听对方说话而已。

Well,we are more direct and straightforward than most Chinese,I would say,due to our different cultural traditions.I noticed that a lot of Chinese often avoid saying a clear "no" just to be polite.Sometimes my Chinese colleagues say "yes" not to express agreement,but only to show that they are listening.

Q:我们都应该承认这些文化差异，尊重这些差异，以免产生误解，这很重要，不是吗？

It is important for all of us to acknowledge and respect these cultural differences in order to avoid misunderstandings,isn't it?

A:是的，我认为，理解这些差异是朝着在美国公司和中国公司之间建立稳固的商务关系的方向迈出第一步。

Yes,understanding these differences,I believe,will be a first step toward establishing a firm business relationship between American and Chinese companies.

Q:刚才您提到了中国式的决策过程，您认为这种管理模式有无优点？将其与美国式的管理模式相比，您有何看法？

You mentioned the Chinese type of decision-making process earlier.Do you see any strength with this type of management and how do you compare it with the American type of management?

A:我感到美国式的自上而下的管理方式注重效率，注重员工之间的竞争。而中国式的管理方式的特点是，优先考虑周密的计划，鼓励员工之间的合作，鼓励员工与管理层之间的合作。因此，美国式的管理方式常常使许多员工感到沮丧，而中国式的管理方式能使员工有一种喜悦的参与感和成就感，对自己的工作抱一种自豪感。

I would say the American-type,or the top-down,management emphasizes efficiency,and competition among workers,while the Chinese-type management gives priority to careful planning and encourages cooperation among workers,and between workers and the management.Thus,while the American-type management often frustrates many workers,the Chinese-type management gives workers a joy of participation and fulfillment,and a sense of pride in their work.

Q:谈到员工的工作态度，中国人和美国人在这方面有何不同？Talking about the workers' attitude toward their work,how do the Chinese and the Americans differ in this respect?

A;我认为，大多数中国人将工作视为能使自己成为整个团体中的一份子的必不可缺的条件。中国人相信，工作使自己有了团体归属感。换言之，中国人为了得到社会的认可，必须工作。这就是为何许多中国经理和员工会努力工作以保住自己在公司里的职位的原因。中国人还将工作视为生活中最重要的大事。也就是说，他们想从工作中找到生活的意义。中国人的工作观建筑在社会压力和团体归属感

的基础上，而美国人的工作观则有更强的个体取向性。我们一向认为，我们工作是秉承了上帝的意志，我们对工作成果的重视常常高于对工作过程的重视。附带说一句，年龄较大的中国员工对自己的工作有一种明显的奉献精神，我对此有很深刻的印象。

I think most Chinese view work as essential for having membership in a community.They believe that work allows them to have the sense of belonging in a community.In other words,work is necessary for them to gain social acceptance in the society.That is why many Chinese managers and employees work so hard to maintain their positions in their companies.Also,they see work as the most important thing in life.That is,they have tried to find the meaning of life through their jobs.While the Chinese work ethic is based on social pressure and community belonging,the American work ethic seems to be more individual oriented.Traditionally,we work because it is the will of God,and we often value the results and accomplishments of work more than its process.By the way,I'm very impressed by the obvious strong sense of dedication to the jobs among the older Chinese employees.

Q:回到我们一开始的话题，您如何评价中美两种不同经营之道的利弊呢？

Returning to where we started,how do you comment on the merits and demerits of the two different approaches to business management?

A:很难判断孰优孰劣，因为这两种经营方式各有自己的长处与短处，我希望我们两国人民应该互相学习，取长补短。应该说近年来中国人的经营方式，更确切地说是东方人的经营方式，开始为越来越多的西方人所认识。东方人的这种人情味更浓的经营方式似乎给我们美国产业界的管理人士以颇多的启迪。

It's difficult to decide which is better than which,because there are some merits and demerits to both types of management.My suggestion is that people of both countries should learn from each other.I will say that in recent years,the merits of the Chinese way,or rather,the Oriental way,of management are beginning to be recognized by an increasing number of people in the West.This more humane Oriental way of management seems to offer a great deal to the executives of our American industries. Q:谢谢！谢谢您接受我的采访。

Thankyou for sharing your time with me.

A:没问题！

My pleasure.

2 欢迎光临

Welcome

欢迎来到上海，罗伯茨先生。我是上海邮电服务发展公司海外部主任陈天敏。

Welcome to Shanghai, Mr. Roberts. I’m Chen Tianmin, from Shanghai Post and Telecommunications Service Development Company. I’m director of the company’s Overseas Department.

您专程从英国赶来，我很高兴。我们为您来此参加工作，成为我部门的一员而感到骄傲和荣幸。我真诚地希望您的来访有价值、有意义。

I’m very happy that you have come all the way from Britain. We are very proud and honored that you will work with us, and be part of our department. I sincerely hope that your visit will be worthwhile and meaningful.

受到贵公司的友好邀请，来此与陈主任这样杰出的人士合作共事，我深感愉快和荣幸。我曾梦想有朝一日能访问中国，能在美丽的上海工作一段时间。我很高兴您使我的梦想成真了。

It is indeed my pleasure and privilege to have received your gracious

invitation and work with a distinguished group of people like Director Chen. I had been looking forward to this visit for years. I had a dream that someday I would visit China and work in this beautiful city of Shanghai for a while. I’m very grateful that you have made my dream come true.

我真高兴您对这次来沪短期工作有如此高的期望。我们会尽全力使您在沪期间过得舒适愉快。考虑到您的方便和舒适，您可以居住在公司的外宾专用别墅。别墅紧挨着海滩，从那里骑自行车15分钟可到我公司海外部的办公楼。您一定喜欢。

I’m very glad that you have so high expectations for this business trip in Shanghai. We will make an all-out effort to make your stay comfortable and pleasant. For your convenience and comfort, we accommodate you in one of the company’s villas for overseas visitors. It is located by the beach, fifteen minutes’ bicycle ride from the office building of the Overseas Department. I’m sure you will like it.

好极了。不仅您的“海外部”面对着大海，我的寓所也面向着大海，这不很有意思吗？

That’s wonderful. Isn’t it nice that not only your “Overseas” Depart ment looks “over the sea”, but also my residence?

罗伯茨先生，我真的很喜欢您的幽默感。您可知道“上海”这两个字在汉语里的字面意思是“海上之埠”？我们为能够安排英国朋友在临海的寓所下榻而感到骄傲。英国不是海上岛国吗？

I really like your sense of humor, Mr. Roberts. Do you know that the word “Shanghai” in Chinese literally means “a port on the sea”. We’re very proud that we can offer our British friends a residence overlooking the sea. Britain is a country of islands on the sea, isn’t it?

您说的好，陈主任。我们与上海以及上海人有许多共同之处。我太太一定会喜欢这里。

I like what you said, Mr. Chen. We have much in common with Shanghai and its people. I believe my wife will like here, too.

我希望您的家人能早日与您在此团聚。我公司会支付包括国际机票在内所需一切费用。

I hope your family will join you soon. Our company will pay for all their expenses including international flights.

非常感谢您的关心。我太太是大学教师，她与我们的儿子来这里的最佳时间是暑期。还要等上两个月。我们真的等不及在上海相会。Thank you so much for your concern. My wife teaches at a university and the best time for her and our son to come over is when school breaks in

the summer. Two more months. We simply can’t wait to see each other here in Shanghai.

真遗憾，您还要等那么久。

I’m sorry you have to wait for that long.

陈主任，您真是个好人，真的。

You’re very nice, Mr. Chen, really.

长途飞行后您一定很累了。今晚有招待晚宴，您需要休息一下。晚上6时我派车来接您。

You must be very tired after a long flight, Mr. Roberts. You’ll need a rest for tonight’s reception party. I’ll send someone to pick you up at six.

好的

Very good.

我得走了，我们晚上再见。

I’m leaving. See you in the evening, then.

再见。

Bye now.

3 投资意向

A Wish to Invest

你好，罗伯茨先生。

Hi, Mr. Roberts.

你好，陈小姐。近来我一直在思考一件事，我想告诉你我的想法。Hi, Miss. Chen. I have been thinking about something lately and I’d like to share with you my thoughts.

好呀，请说。我很高兴为您做些什么。

I’d like to hear them. And I’ll be very happy if I can help you with anything.

现在西方人都在谈论去东方投资。显然，越来越多的外国公司纷纷涌入中国，而上海的浦东地区是人们投资的首选目的地之一。现在的问题不在于是否要去东方投资，而在于何时去投资为好，如何去投资为好。

In the West everybody is talking about going to the East and making an investment. Apparently a growing number of foreign firms have been

pouring into China, and the Pudong area of Shanghai is among the best choices of their investment destinations. Today it is not a matter of whether to go east, but when and how.

你说的完全对。海外人士在上海及周边地区的投资近年来翻了两番。出现这一高涨不止的投资热有多种缘由。除了中国是世界上经济增长最快的国家之一这个原因外，中国政府和地方政府很重视全面对外开放，不仅开放沿海城市，也开放内地，尽可能吸引外资。另外，许多海外机构与个人投资者认为，在中国直接投资比同中国公司做生意更有利可图。

You’re absolutely right. Overseas investment in Shanghai and its surrounding areas has quadrupled in recent years. There are many reasons for this rising investment fever. Apart from the fact that China is one of the fast growing economies in the world, the Chinese central government and local governments focus a lot of their attention on opening the whole country up to the o utside world, both the coastal cities and the country’s interior areas. They are doing all they can to attract foreign investment. On the other hand, many institutional and individual investors overseas find it more profitable to invest directly in China than just to do trade with Chinese companies.

这种偏爱的原因何在，我不太明白。请解释一下，我愿闻其详。

I’m not sure if I understand the logic behind this preference. I’m all ears to your explanation.

好的。基本情况是这样的，外国直接在华投资可以最大限度地发挥有关双方的优势。中国幅员辽阔，自然资源丰富，廉价劳动力充裕，税收低，消费者市场不断增长，基础设施不断改善，当然啰，我们还有稳定的社会政治环境以及诱人的投资政策。这些优势难以在其他国家找到。而来自发达国家和地区的外国投资者则有充足的资金、先进的技术和管理知识。与做进出口贸易生意相比，在华直接投资则有更高的经济回报。

OK. Basically, direct foreign investment in China maximizes the strengths of both parties concerned. China has massive land, abundant natural resources, huge cheap labor, low taxation, a growing consumer market, improving infrastructure and of course, a stable social and political environment with attractive investment policies. All these are rarely found elsewhere in the world. Foreign investors from developed countries or areas, on the other hand, have sufficient funds, advanced technology and managerial expertise. Direct investment in China will yield higher economic returns than import and export trade.

你说得有道理。我有一些朋友有意在中国直接投资。至于投资的最佳地点，你有何高见？

You’re r ight. I have friends who are interested in direct investment in China. Do you have any idea of the best place in which to invest?

就我跟人来说，我希望你们在上海的浦东地区投资。这倒不是因为浦东是我的家乡，而是因为浦东的确是投资者的理想场所。如果你或你的朋友有兴趣，我可以向你们提供许多研究资料。我也听说过许多关于在中国内地和其他沿海城市进行投资而获得极大成功的例子。真的很难说哪一个地方为最佳。也许应该说在某一时期的某一地点进行投资更好。

Personally, I like you to invest in the Pudong area of Shanghai. Not because it’s my hometown, but it really is an ideal place for investment. If you or your friends are interested, I have a lot of investment literature for you to study. I also have heard of many very successful stories of foreign investment in China’s inland areas and other coastal citie s. There’s really no the best place. There might be a better place at a given time.

接下来的一个问题是，目前有哪些许可的投资形式？

My next question concerns the forms of investment that are allowed in China currently.

投资方式很多，你可以同中方合资办企业，也可以独资办公司。

Among others you can invest in a joint venture with a Chinese partner, or establish a business independently, that is, set up a company solely funded and owned by a foreign investor.

两者有何不同？

What are the differences?

投资兴办合资企业时，通常外方提供资金、机械、先进技术和管理方法，而中方则提供土地、劳工及部分用于基础设施建设的资金。至于独资企业嘛，外商提供所有资金，赚取所有利润，同时承担所有风险。你可以选择自己喜欢的方式经营独资公司，当然不可超越中国法律。

With a joint venture, a foreign partner usually brings into the enterprise or business capital funds, machinery, advanced technology and management, while the Chinese partner supplies land, labor and a portion of the funds for the infrastructure. The business is then jointly run by both parties. As for the solely foreign-funded business, you provide all the funds and take all the benefits as well as risks. You can run the company in whatever way you prefer, within the boundary of Chinese laws, of course.

你的解释使我茅塞顿开。如果我们决定在上海投资，我们想请您担任我们的中方顾问。希望您不要推辞。

Your explanations are very enlightening. If we ever decide to invest in Shanghai, we’d like you to be our Chinese consultant. I hope you won’t refuse our offer then.

我深感荣幸。希望早日为您的投资尽力。

It’s my honor. And I’m looking forward to my early service..