笔者在教授商务英语时发现，一些在外贸英语中频繁出现的词汇经常被误译。这是因为，在商务英语中，相同的单词在不同的上下文中可能具有不同的含义。以下是对这些词汇不同用法和含义的比较说明。
1. Floating
- 原句：Floating policy is of great importance for export trade; it is, in fact, a convenient method of insuring goods where a number of similar export transactions are intended, e.g. where the insured has to supply an overseas importer under an exclusive sales agreement or maintains sales subsidiary companies abroad.
- 译文：统保单对出口贸易至关重要。它实际上是货物保险中的一种便利的办法，特别适合于分不同的时间出口的一批类似货物，如，当被保险方根据代理协议向国外的进口方供货，或在国外设立了销售代表处，分支公司时用之。
- 注解：在此上下文中，“floating”指的是保险领域的统保单，而非汇率制度的浮动汇率。
2. Confirm
- 原句：We would like to inform you that our counter sample will be sent to you by DHL by the end of this week and please confirm it ASAP so that we can start our mass production. Payment will be made by 100% confirmed, irrevocable Letter of Credit available by sight draft.
- 译文：我们很高兴地通知您，我们的回样将于本周末通过DHL发送给您，请尽快确认，以便我们可以开始大批量生产。付款方式为100%保兑的即期不可撤消信用证。
- 注解：“confirm”在第一句中意味着确认，而在第二句中指的是保兑信用证。
3. Negotiable
- 原句：Part-time barman required. Hours and negotiable. This Bill of Lading is issued in a negotiable form, so it shall constitute title to the goods and the holder, by endorsement of this B/L.
- 译文：招聘兼职酒保，工作时拆时间和薪水面议。提单以可转让形式签发，因此提单背书后即确定了货物和持票人的所有权。
- 注解：在此，“negotiable”意味着可商议的，而在提单的上下文中指的是可转让的。
4. Discount
- 原句：You may get a 5% discount if your order is on a regular basis. If a seller extends credit to a time draft, they have made a trade acceptance. The seller can request the bank finance the transaction by buying the draft. The bank is said to discount.
- 译文：如果你方定期给我方下定单，你方便可得到5%的折扣。如卖方开出的是远期汇票，以此向买方提供信用，此时就做了一笔商业汇票承兑业务，卖方可以请银行买下商业承兑汇票，银行用这个办法对出口商融资，也就是说，银行对该汇票贴现了。
- 注解：“discount”在第一句中指的是折扣，在第二句中则是指贴现。
5. Endorse
- 原句：Our products have been endorsed by the National Quality Inspection. Draft must be accompanied by full set original on board marine Bill of Lading made out to order, endorsed in blank, marked freight prepaid.
- 译文：我们的产品为全国质量检查协会推荐产品。汇票必须附有全套正本海运提单，凭指示空白背书，并注明“运费已付”。
- 注解：在此，“endorse”在第一句中指的是推荐，在第二句中则是指空白背书。
