Modern English vocabulary refers significantly to the Germanic, French and Latin languages, the latter most often via French. These vocabularies are preferably used in various registers, where words of French origin are more formal than those of Germanic origin and words of Latin origin are more formal than those of French origin. Thus, the extensive use of French and Latin words in legal English leads to a relatively formal style. There are a number of differences between Legal English and Standard International English. First, some words in Standard International English have completely different meanings when used in a legal context. An example of this is the use of the word « consideration », which means thinking of others in standard international English, but when used in relation to a contract, it refers to the thing of value that passes between people in exchange for something. Second, there are words that are used only in the context of international law and that would not be used or understood in the daily lives of people without legal training, such as « tort » and « restrictive treaty ». There is also the obvious absence of punctuation in legal documents and a different order of words. This would lead to great confusion for a person who has only taken an international standard English course and has no understanding of legal English. In fact, there are a number of grammatical differences, another example being the use of the word « said » in the phrase « who said Martin O`Leary ». Finally, and obviously, there is the use of words and phrases in other languages, for example « mens rea ».
We hope this article has helped you better understand why Legal English courses are important and what you can expect from your course. It is therefore very useful for anyone who wants to become a lawyer or lawyer (or who already practices law) or for any professional in the field of law to take a course specifically designed to teach the most important aspects of legal English. « One of the main reasons why legal language is sometimes difficult to understand is that it is often very different from ordinary English. This includes two aspects: As mentioned above, legal English is very different from standard English in many ways. The main of these differences are as follows: the use of legal English was once limited to countries that had English as their primary language, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, but it is now widely used worldwide due to its use in international affairs. Many schools that previously taught only standard English now teach the formal legal form of the language. There are many websites on the internet that focus solely on this type of training. Old English and Middle English words are also used in legal language. Sometimes French words are also used.
Sometimes common words used in general English are used in a legal sense, which creates confusion in the minds of readers. For international lawyers, communicating with clients and other professionals from all cultures requires transnational legal awareness and cross-cultural linguistic awareness. [9] [10] Regardless of the form of legal writing, legal and language skills are an essential element of higher education and professional training. [11] Because the meaning of words is so crucial to the legal profession, there is a real need for students to use words accurately – in other words, they have very high overall language skills, including knowledge of technical and legal language. Legal language is a language used by persons associated with the legal profession, i.e. the language used by lawyers, lawyers and opinion makers in their professional capacity and before the courts. Students visit law firms and legal institutions as part of this course. There is a wide range of Legal English courses, including personal options, online programs, and blended courses that offer both. Courses vary in intensity and orientation, but most offer a curriculum designed to help students: Legal English has traditionally been reserved for lawyers from English-speaking countries (particularly the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, and South Africa) who share common common law traditions. Due to the spread of legal English as the dominant language of international affairs, as well as its role as a legal language within the European Union, legal English is now a global phenomenon.
It can be informally called Lawsspeak. [ref. Most specialized legal English courses require students to have pre-existing English language skills, probably up to a lower intermediate minimum level. However, the majority do not require you to have passed a TOEFL or IELTS test and have a TOEFL or IELTS score. The British system of administration of justice was introduced in India with the strong roots of British rule. The Indian legal system is based on the Anglo-Saxon legal system. As in the case of the legal system, so is legal language. India does not have a legal language developed from our system and our indigenous languages. In addition to English, many other languages are inextricably linked to legal language. English was born an Anglo-Saxon legal system in which Celtic and Anglian were indigenous languages of England and Saxon was a German language. English continued the words derived from many languages of Tutonian and Romance schools in Europe. English enriched by accepting words from other languages such as Latin, Greek, French, etc.
In this context, the legal language in India is mainly based on English, the foreign language and is problematic in India. « With a strong cohort of law students interested in civil and procedural law, our first legal trip of 2019 took us to Court 1 of the Supreme Court to observe Vedanta Resources PLC and Another v Lungowe and Others, an appellate case that addresses the legal issue of whether a parent company is liable for adverse human rights impacts abroad alongside its British subsidiary. Legal English is a specialized variant of the English language (vocabulary, expressions and syntax) used by lawyers and in legal documents. It is a distinct type of English and very different from ordinary conversational English. « We learned a lot of legal vocabulary and also how the civil system works in the UK. I think the visit to the Supreme Court was great. I thought it was really cool when we witnessed a case. It was murder, and it was really interesting. I was worried because it was so different from Brazil, in the way the trial is conducted and the way the lawyers work.
« Legal language » has its own domain. It has its own terminology, style and form. The use of Latin words and expressions complicates legal language. In legal language, many Latin terms and expressions are used that require explanation. « Ignoratia, Juris Non-excusat, volenti non fit injuria, Damnum sine injuria, etc. are legal terms that must be explained with particular attention when deciding on cases. « Mens rea », « ab initio », etc. are legal terms that have a specific meaning and are used exclusively to express the principles of law.
A number of legal maxims such as « ubi jus ibi remedium », « Act non facit reum nisi mens sit rea », « Action personalis moritur persona », « Ex nudo pacto non oritur actio », etc. need to be explained, as they have specific meanings and special expressions hide many thoughts and ideas. Legal terms, expressions and doctrines used in a law cannot be interpreted arbitrarily. These words and expressions convey a fixed, unambiguous and unambiguous meaning, so that neither lawyers nor judges are able to make two meanings of these words and expressions.