在日常生活，提及“证据”，我们经常使用的词汇是“evidence”，当然，evidence一词也可以表达（法庭上的）证据，证词，人证，物证，比如：I was asked to give evidence (= to say what I knew, describe what I had seen, etc.) at the trial. 我被要求出庭作证。He was released when the judge ruled there was no evidence against him. 法官裁决没有证明他有罪的证据，他获得释放了。

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但是通常，在法律文件中如果要表示“证据、证词”的话，有以下几个更加正式的词汇可以使用，本文对这些词汇做简单的介绍和区分。

①Affidavit，英文释义为“a written statement that you swear is true and that may be used as evidence in a court of law.”即(经陈述者本人宣誓、可用作法庭证据的)的“书面陈述”。当证人无法亲自出庭时，affidavit可被法庭作为证言接受。

参考例句：In his sworn affidavit, Roche outlined a history of actions against him by the church. 在其宣誓了的书面陈述中，罗奇罗列了教会反对他的行动经过。

②Deposition，英文释义为“a statement that is made under oath by a party or witness (as an expert) in response to oral examination or written questions and that is recorded by an authorized officer.”指的是证人出庭作证时，对正式质疑所作的口头回答，可以理解为“证人陈述”。在法律程序中，按规定, 向法庭提供deposition的当事人必须向另一方当事人通知，并给予另一方当事人对证人进行盘诘（cross-examination)的机会; 相比之下，affidavit则无如此之规定。也可以做“证词”使用，此时它的英文释义为“A deposition is a formal written statement, made for example, by a witness to a crime, which can be used in a court of law if the witness cannot be present.”。

参考例句：The material would be checked against the depositions from other witnesses. 这份材料会与其他证人的证词对照加以核对。

③Testimony，英文释义为“a formal statement that they make about what they saw someone do or what they know of a situation, after having promised to tell the truth.”指的是(法庭上的)证词，较常使用。常见搭配：color one’s testimony歪曲证词；bear testimony提供证词；a sworn testimony 宣誓证词。

参考例句：Can I refuse to give testimony? 我能拒绝作证吗？His testimony was an important element of the prosecution's case.他的证词是本起公诉案中的一个重要因素。

来源：译问 https://www.qidulp.com/article/p/4836