| Legal English is the language of the law of England, America, and some other countries whose official language is English. Language is a medium of communication, and of course laws are expressed by language. Although England is the birthplace of English, English is widely used in the world today. Many other countries use English as their first language, or official language, for example, America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, etc. Usually the law of a country is expressed by the official language of the country, so the laws of these countries are expressed in English. Thus to know the lexical features of Legal English and the stylistic characteristics of legal lexicon is of great significance to learners of Legal English including those who are fond of Legal English, or workers of legal profession, such as lawyers, judges and translators. And of course, it will help them learn much more conveniently and efficiently.However, in our country and abroad, there are few books or articles talking about legal words and their stylistic features, and the analysis are neither complete nor concrete. This dissertation is an attempt to do a more systematic analysis of Legal English, particularly its lexicon.According to linguists lexicon includes slang, technical words, jargons and cants etc. The word STYLE, from which 'stylistics' is derived, has a number of definitions. The style of Legal English can be considered as the Frozen Style.English language has quite a large vocabulary. While different words have different stylistic functions, different styles call for different words to correspond with them."Law" means the principles, rules, and regulations set up by a government, other authority, or by custom, that apply to all the people of a group; a system or collection of such principles and rules. Law is generally expressed by some specific forms, such as constitution, statutes, regulations, stipulations, orders, rules etc.Legal English, English for the law or English for the legal profession, belongs to the category of applied linguistics. In China, Legal English is the product of construction of legal system since the reform and implementation of the open-door policy.One lexical feature of Legal English is that it introduces large quantities of foreign words. Many legal expressions are of Latin elements, including legal idioms and proverbs. The frequent use of Latinate words in Legal English makes the language frozen, and solemn. Besides, French loan words are also widely used in Legal English to make the language elevated and formal.Legal English lexicon consists of three types: common words, legal terms and quasi-legal terms. Quasi-legal words refer to those common words which are used in legal style for their legal meaning but not common meaning.Legal terms are used mainly in Legal English. Some words are used only in legal situation. Because of the sole and precise meaning, the wide use of legal terms in Legal English can create the effect of accuracy.In Legal English, a great number of terms are paired antonyms. Since in the practical legal work, paired words indicating the contradictory and opposite things or opposite legal act should be used to show all kinds of legal relationships which are opposite. Ordinarily speaking the objects of legal work are usually two parties whose interests are conflicting. As a result, there have appeared a large number of antonyms in Legal English.The English language has increased its resources not only through the adoption of words from other languages, but also through the formation of new words with the material available in the language.Legal terms have a complete system of its own.It is noticeable that some words were legal terms originally and later became common words. On the other, when common words are used as legal terms, they are used only for certain meanings and gradually become specialized legal words because of the repeated use in special legal documents.Archaisms used in Legal English reflect the regul... |
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