In order to provide a set of uniform rules for the interpretation¹ of the most commonly used trade terms in foreign trade, ICC first published in 1936 a set of international rules for the interpretation of trade terms known as "INCOTERMS 1936". Later amendments⁴ and additions were made to it to bring the rules in line with current international trade practices. The latest edition is "INCOTERMS 2000", which include 13 different international trade terms.

    Each term specifies⁵ whether the buyer or the seller is responsible for arranging such necessities as export license⁶, customs clearance⁷, inspections⁹, and other obligations. They specify¹⁰ at which point the risk of loss and / or damage passes from seller to buyer as well as which party pays for specific activities. A buyer and a seller who conduct their purchase and sale under one of the INCOTERMS, therefore, will have a mutual¹¹ understanding of their rights, costs, and obligations.

    Here six major trade terms are discussed. The traditional three trade terms are FOB, CFR and CIF, while FCA, CPT and CIP are new terms developed on the basis of the traditional ones.

    They are suitable for any mode of transport and will be more widely used.

    课文理解：

    1. 要理解这篇文章，首先要了解对外贸易背景。这些常识位于书上的：

    1.1 p13 第 2 - 4 行       ICC(国际商会)

    1.2 p12 最后一段         INCOTERMS(国际贸易术语解释通则)

    贸易术语(trade terms),又称价格术语或贸易条件。它是用一个简短的概念或英文缩写字母来表明商品的价格构成，说明货物在交接过程中有关风险、责任和费用划分等问题的专门术语,以确定买卖双方的基本权利和义务。

    INCOTERMS 2000是指《2000年国际贸易术语解释通则》的英文缩写.它是国际商会(ICC)为了统一对各种贸易术语的解释而制定的,最早产生于1936年.分别于1953年、1967年、1976年、1980年、1990年和2000年共修订过6次.现行的《2000年通则》对13种贸易术语进行了解释,按不同术语的共同特点和卖方责任由小到大排列，分为E组(启运术语)、F组 (主要运费未付术语)、C组(主要运费已付术语)、D组(到达术语)四个组.

    它是国际上包括内容最多、使用范围最广和影响最大的一种与贸易术语有关的国际贸易惯例.

    1.3 p13 第 5 - 10 行      六种主要贸易术语的中英文对照

    1.4 p16-17 补充注释 1-8   贸易术语的变形和其他贸易术语的中英文对照

    1.5 p14-15 课文注释 6      六种主要贸易术语的详注

    2. 句子：

    In order to provide a set of uniform rules for the interpretation of the most commonly used trade terms in foreign trade, ICC first published in 1936 a set of international rules for the interpretation of trade terms known as "INCOTERMS 1936".

    这句句子的难点在前半句.我们可以把句子简化成:

    To provide a set of rules for the interpretation of trade terms in foreign trade.

    2.1 interpretation "解释、说明"

    2.2 trade terms "贸易术语、贸易条款、贸易条件"

    trade practices  "贸易惯例,贸易实践"

    trade contract  "贸易合同"

    trade fair "贸易交易会"

    domestic trade "国内贸易"

    foreign trade "对外贸易"

    句子中其他需要解释的地方还有:

    2.3 uniform = the same

    2.4 commonly = generally, usually "通常地、一般地、普遍地"

    2.5 be known as "通称为,以…著称"

    3. 我们把两句句子连在一起看, 注释的重点应放在前一句：

    Later amendments and additions were made to it to bring the rules in line with current international trade practices. The latest edition is "INCOTERMS 2000", which include 13 different international trade terms.

    3.1 later / latest

    (1)  Later amendments and additions were …  第一句

    (2)  The latest edition is "INCOTERMS 2000",…  第二句

    我们需要注意这样一个字型形似的问题:

    表示时间概念上的比较级和最高级: late - later - latest

    (晚的 - 稍后,随后 - 最近的,最新的)

    表示顺序概念上的比较级和最高级: late - latter - last

    (晚的 - 后面的 - 最后的)

    3.2 amendment³ and addition were made to it …

    (1)  amend² (尤指对规则、法律、声明等条款所作的)"修正,修订,修改".

    名词: amendment   (做可数名词时的解释.)

    这些相关联的名词还有:

    revise (尤指为改正或修订而仔细阅读并)"校订,修订".

    例如: a revised edition (修订版)

    名词: revision

    modify (尤指轻微的)"修改,更改".

    名词: modification¹²

    edition (书籍、报刊等)"版本,版次".

    例如: the latest edition

    动词: edit

    publication "出版物".

    动词: publish

    (2)  addition 原意是"增加物". 这里指添加的条款或内容.

    3.3 (be) in line (with) = in agreement with

    (与…齐的,与…平的,引申为与…相同,与…一致,与…相适应)

    反义词: (be) out of line (with)

    3.4 current = of the present time (现今的,时下的,当代的)

    4. 句子：

    Each term specifies whether the buyer or the seller is responsible for arranging such necessities as export license, customs clearance, inspections, and other obligations.

    我们可以换成这样一句句子来加以理解:

    Each term specifies the traders must bear each relevant responsibility and obligation. 即贸易商都必须承担(bear)各自相关的责任和义务.

    4.1 responsibility / obligation / duty / be responsible for sth.

    4.1.1 responsibility = duty 解释 "责任", 其涵义在于:

    出于法律、道德、职业等要求必须对他人承担或履行的责任.这是一个比较正规的用词.

    4.1.2 obligation = duty 解释 "义务", 其涵义在于:

    强调因为合同、承诺、道义等因素而产生的约束力.尤其是指来自于外部的具体的、明确的约束力.这是一个比较正规的用词,当该词做可数名词用的时候,是指"个人的本职或具体的工作". 它的反义词是 right (权利)

    4.1.3 duty 解释 "责任、义务", 这是一个常规用词.

    强调应当去做或者避免去做一件事;它的涵义侧重于发自内心.从道德、伦理、良心或传统习惯等出发的责任和义务. duty 可指的责任或义务可对己,也可对人.

    4.1.4 be responsible for sth 课文里面的用词,意思是"对…负责". 其涵义在于:指人在道义上负有某义务或要施行某责任.

    4.2 简化句中的 traders 对应于原句中的哪部分呢?

    traders 和课文中的 whether the buyer or the seller 这个部分相对应. whether A or B: "不论是 A 还是 B".值得注意的是后面的动词用单数形式.课文中用的是 is.

    4.3 简化句中的 relevant,也就是词组be responsible for后面的这个 sth. 那么,贸易商究竟要对哪些 sth 负责呢? such necessities as export license, customs clearance, inspections, and…

    4.3.1 such A as B 解释"如…的,像…的":

    4.3.2 这里的 A 是指 necessity, 复数: necessities. necessity 原意:"必然的事,决不可无的事"这里可解释为"必定要做的事". 课文中用的是复数,意思是要做的事情还不止一件哦.

    4.3.3 这里的 B 是指:

    (1) export license  (英语用:licence,美语用:license,下同): 出口许可证

    import license  进口许可证

    license system  许可证制度

    license-trading 许可证贸易

    driving license 驾驶执照

    license / licence 一般指的是由法律认可的机构发给的正式书面的许可证.

    (2) inspection⁸ 检验

    全称是: commodity inspection 商品检验

    再如: shanghai entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureau上海出入境检验检疫局

    4.3.4 综合前三例,我们终于明白了:买卖双方必须各自要对诸如进出口许可证、进出口清结关、商品检验检疫等事项负责.这是他们应尽的责任和义务.

    4.5 这句关键的一个动词 specify

    (1) specify = to give exact details of something

    "明确说明,具体说明,详述,指明"

    由这个动词引申出来一个很要紧的名词是: specification  (说明书)这些定义性的常见字词还有:

    (2) mean = to represent (a meaning) "意指,意思是…,表示…的意思"

    (课文中有这个词)

    (3) state = express in words, esp. carefully, fully¹³ and clearly"陈述,表述"

    (4) explain = to give the meaning of something "阐明,说明,解释"

    (5) indicate = state briefly¹⁴, point out "表明,表示"

    (6) define = to explain the exact meaning of (a word, a phrase, etc)."给…下定义,定义为"

    5. 句子：

    They specify at which point the risk of loss and/or damage passes from seller to buyer as well as which party pays for specific activities.

    我们可以把句子简化成:

    The 13 trade terms specify the transfer of risks (风险的转移) besides division of costs (费用的划分).

    5.1  原句中的 they = the 13 trade terms

    5.2  transfer of risks (风险的转移) 系指课文中说的: at which point the risk of loss and / or damage passes from seller to buyer

    5.2.1 point = an exact moment, particular time or state

    这是一个抽象的概念,是一个不可数名词,指"(在空间或时间真实的或想象当中的)点".例如:

    at this point = at this moment or at this place  (在此刻,在此地)

    at which point = at which moment or at which place  (在何时何地)

    5.2.2 the risk of loss and / or damage 解释"货物灭失或损坏的风险"

    5.2.3 pass from … to … 或 pass … to/into …

    pass = change (改变事物的状况,使变成另一种状态), 例如: Water passes from a liquid to a solid state when it freezes.

    课文中的意思是风险点从卖方的手中转移到买方的手中的

    5.3  原句中的 as well as = besides

    5.4  division of costs (费用的划分) 系指课文中说的: which party pays for specific activities.

    5.4.1 activity = things (to be) dong 这个名词的复数形式尤指"所做或待做的事务、工作等"

    5.4.2 specific = detailed¹⁵ and exact, clear in meaning."具体的、明确的、详尽的、详细的"

    例如: Be specific in your examination answers. (考试答案力求明确具体)

    近义词: definite

    反义词: approximate  (大概的、极近于…的)

    pays for specific activities 解释"支付具体事项的费用"

    6. 句子：

    A buyer and a seller who conduct their purchase and sale under one of the INCOTERMS, therefore, will have a mutual understanding of their rights, costs, and obligations.

    我们以 therefore 为界,分析这句含因果关系的句子:

    6.1 因: a buyer and a seller who conduct their purchase and sale under one of the INCOTERMS

    关键字词是: conduct their purchase and sale

    6.1.1 conduct = control, manage "管理、经营、处理"

    例如: conduct a business (经营生意)

    例如: conduct negotiations¹⁶ (指导洽谈、主持谈判)

    6.1.2 purchase = buying "购买" (近义词: buy 反义词: sale)

    例如: purchase order = buying order = order (购买订单)

    例如: purchase contract (购买合同)

    例如: purchase and sale = buying and selling (购销)

    例如: repurchase (购回)

    例如: purchasing (采购)

    6.1.3 sale (名词), sell (动词) "出售、销售"

    例如: for sale (待售)

    例如: on sale (销售中,出售中)

    例如: sale by sample (凭样品销售)

    例如: salesman, saleswoman, sales manager

    (注意: sale 后面一定要加 -s)

    6.2 果: (a buyer and a seller) will have a mutual understanding of their rights, costs, and obligations.

    6.2.1 关键字词之一是: understanding (了解、理解、认识、领会) of their rights, costs, and obligation

    6.2.2 关键字词之二是: mutual = each to the other(s)

    (相互的、彼此的,人们常用mutual指两个或多个共同的事物)

    have a mutual understanding of their rights, costs, and obligations (对于他们的权利、费用和义务达成共识)

    6.3 表达因果关系的连接词: therefore

    我们在第一课的时候就碰到这样一些副词: originally, however, today 等等.这些副词虽然不直接影响句子的意思,但是对于承上启下有着重要的作用.

    therefore 亦然.

    therefore = for that reason 解释"因此, 为此, 为了那种理由"

    7. 句子：Here six major trade terms are discussed. 我们要把这些词区分清楚:

    (1) main = most important, chief:

    意思是"最重要的、主要的" 例如 main crop (主要作物)

    (2) major = less important:

    意思是"较重要的" 例如 major industries (主要工业)

    (3) minor¹⁷ 意思是"较不重要的,次要的"

    8. 句子：

    The traditional three trade terms are FOB, CFR and CIF, while FCA, CPT and CIP are new terms developed on the basis of the traditional ones.

    这句句子的意思是:

    FOB, CFR and CIF are traditional trade terms, FCA, CPT and CIP are new trade terms developed on the basis of FOB, CFR and CIF.

    8.1 traditional 形容词,解释"传统的、沿袭下来的",相对应的词是 new.

    8.2 on the basis of 解释"基于、在…的基础上".

    8.3 ones 代词,单数是 one, one 或 ones 泛指前面文章中提到的同类的单数或复数可数名词.

    9. 句子：

    They are suitable for any mode of transport and will be more widely used.句中:

    9.1 be suitable for 解释"适于,适用于,适合于".

    9.2 widely 这个词一共才两个解释:

    ① 广泛地: 例子见课文.

    ② 相当地: widely different

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