American Legal English: Using Language in Legal Contexts

by Debra Suzette Lee, Charles Hall, Marsha Hurley

American Legal Using Language in Legal Contexts provides a basic introduction to the U.S. legal system for non-native speakers of English. It combines elements of law with language to enhance non-native English speakers's ability to communicate with their legal counterparts in English. Reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities are included in each chapter.While a good basic knowledge of general English is presumed, there is no assumption that the students have any knowledge of the U.S. legal system or legal terminology. Collaborative, communicative activities are used throughout the text to engage student interest and involve them in the learning process. Realia, in the form of cases and statutes, is included so that students become comfortable with legal English and its sometimes difficult syntax. The text can be used for both law students and legal practitioners, in either intensive programs or those of longer duration. Non-attorney English for Spe

296 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1999

Reviews

[Liang TianCheng · Rating 4 out of 5]

《American legal English -Using Language in Legal Contexts》 2nd edition
By
Debra Suzette Lee
Charles Hall
Susan M. Barone

这本书的第一版在1999年就出版了，到现在，三位作者年纪应该都不小了。书中不少关于在电脑上处理文字的技巧，显示了作者的专业与勤于学习。
这本书与孙国平教授的《法律英语》相比，内容更为全面。
criminal law, civil procedure, torts, products liability, contracts等各个领域的法律知识，以及reading, writing，negotiation等多项法律从业技能，书中都有介绍。相比之下，包括predictive memorandum、 persuasive memorandum 在内的legal writing，在孙国平教授的《法律英语》中占有更多为重要的地位。
阅读难点在于很多词汇是查不到的，即使查得到，词典里显现的语义也根本无法适用于legal context。所以一个具体的单词到底应如何翻译并不重要，重要的是理解它的实在含义，而最重要的，恐怕就是两者都不知道了。
但是两本书读下来，我发现法律英语其实就是一门英语行话，这门行话里使用了大量的专有词汇，大量的普通词汇组成的专有组合，以及不少大众词汇的专有意项。如果能够掌握以上词汇与词组，再加上良好的基础英语尤其是语法知识，就可以较好地掌握法律英语了。
现在的问题是以上知识一样没有。能怪谁呢。要怪只能怪之前的那个我，而不是现在的这个我。必竟之前的那个人只考虑当时的自己，而没有考虑现在的我。所以如果上天给我一次重新来过的机会，我想，我一定不会再学法律了。