Historical Background to English Legal Language

Abstract

Objectives The article attempts to provide an explanation why the English legal language is so complex and so difficult to understand especially for the lay people. Also mentioned are the attempts that have been made to simplify it. The paper also describes its development throughout history. It maintains that legal English is the result of history and political and social processes ongoing in the given historical period. Material and methods Descriptive and comparative method. Method of analysis and synthesis. Results Finally, it should be noted that the current form of the English legal language is not an artificial creation of lawyers with the aim of monopolizing the profession, or creating a monopoly for the provision of legal services. This language is the natural result of various socio-political, linguistic and cultural influences, as well as of the gradual increase in the complexity of the entire English legal system. Conclusions Finally, it should be noted that the current form of the English legal language is not an artificial creation of lawyers with the aim of monopolizing the profession, or creating a monopoly for the provision of legal services. This language is the natural result of various socio-political, linguistic and cultural influences, as well as of the gradual increase in the complexity of the entire English legal system.

Keywords

• English legal language
• Old English
• Latin
• Law French
• history
• social and political development
• linguistics