Markers-Identifiers of English Language International Legal Discourse
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31548/philolog2021.03.021Abstract
Abstract. The article is devoted to the problem systematization semantic specificity of language markers in the structure of international legal discourse. In linguistic scientific research in recent years, researchers consider discourse as a multidimensional phenomenon taking into account cognitive, ethnopsychological, cultural, social and other factors. Discourse is a communicative event, a way of actualizing the text in certain mental and pragmatic conditions. International legal discourse is defined as a synergetic system, the components of which are mutually determined and dependent on the parameters of the external environment, in particular, society, culture, law, etc. The purpose of the study is to identify groups of language markers in the structure of English-language international legal agreements, to characterize their semantic features and role in the process of intercultural legal communication. Legal discourse is interpreted as the result of human cognitive activity in the field of law, as a verbal result of the classification of the world, which requires the organization of legal information and its adequate interpretation. The text of legal documents is the main component of legal discourse. It performs not only an informational function, but also reveals the socio-pragmatic position of the author of the text. Participants in the legal discourse are, on the one hand, the author (professional lawyer), and on the other hand – the recipient. English-language legal discourse is identified by certain language markers. 1. Using synonymous pairs: alter and change, free and clear, true and correct. For example, the synonymous pair free and clear combines Old English freo and Old French cler. Lawyers began using words from each language and pairing them to express a single meaning. 2. A feature of the legal text is the use of multicomponent phrases. Such phrases consist of three, four words instead of one or two, for example: notwithstanding of the fact that; at that point of time; with reference to; in accordance with. Such examples can be paraphrased, avoiding compound phrases, each of which can be replaced by a simpler form. 3. In the text of legal documentation there are often cases of using words that acquire a new meaning of «legal» nature: order for relief – И?рішення про застосування правових заходів’. 4. Use of foreign vocabulary. Many borrowings from French and Latin. 5. Used by legal stamps.
Analysis of the texts of English-language international legal agreements made it possible to identify certain language markers – tokens and phrases and their semantic characteristics. From the standpoint of frequency of use in the structure of English-language legal discourse, emphasis is placed on such features of language markers as the use of synonymous pairs, tokens in the new legal meaning, foreign language vocabulary and legal stamps. Language markers based on national and international law, following from their essence, make clear legal intercultural communication between legal entities of different states. We see prospects for further research in the study of functional and pragmatic characteristics of the texts of English-language international legal agreements.
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