Language and Law

Routledge English Language Introductions

by Alan Durant, Janny Leung

Language plays an essential role both in creating law and in governing its implementation. Providing an accessible and comprehensive introduction to this subject, "Language and Law: "





describes the different registers and genres that make up spoken and written legal language and how they develop over time; analyses real-life examples drawn from court cases from around the world, showing the varieties of language used in the courtroom by speakers fulfilling different roles; addresses the challenges presented to our notions of law and regulation by new forms of online communication; discusses the complex role of translation in bilingual and multilingual jurisdictions, including Hong Kong and Canada; and provides readings from key scholars in the discipline, including Lawrence Solan, Peter Goodrich, Marianne Constable, David Melinkoff, and Chris Heffer.

With a wide range of activities throughout, this accessible textbook is essential reading for any student studying language and law or forensic linguistics.

258 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Alan Durant is the author of books for a wide age-range, from picture books such as Burger Boy to top-end teenage thrillers (Blood, Flesh and Bones). Having worked as a copywriter at Walker Books, he is now a full-time author.

He's married, with three children and lives just outside London. He does a lot of school visits throughout the UK and abroad and also runs writing workshops.

Reviews

[Hans Henrik]

linguistics

[Thea]

Very comprehensive.