Legal English plays a major role for communication and practicing in law firms globally. Offices involved in international jurisdictions are reliant on this language and its use affects the outcome of processes, lawsuits and even success rates. Several studies confirm that English as the lingua franca is a major influencing factor in determining employment and even wage for the concerned person.
Quite a lot references concerning this special language serve the purpose of supporting law students in their classes. It is noticeable that most of those resources are designated to academic purposes only. The importance of English Legalese needs to be further analyzed and emphasized. For practicing lawyers and attorneys, it may be fundamental to be aware of the impact of correct language use and this also applies to foreign speakers as well.
This thesis examines the role of English Legalese in the legal context for law firms not only residing in an Anglophone area. In order to debate this essential question, a definition of its peculiar features, a historical background and the demonstration of the differences between Standard English and this specific language represent the needed requirements to analyze the role of English Legalese in detail.
As already stated, nowadays English is a frequently used language for legal purposes and there have to be certain reasons why it has gained this big recognition.
The thesis gives some relevant reasons why applying this language is a very efficient process, yet the downsides of using a very specific language need to be considered. Therefore, the subsequent part of this thesis discusses why it might not be ideal to solely apply English as the preliminary language, or even having one dominant language in general. This analysis can be seen as a prerequisite for conducting the methodical part of the thesis. It analyzes the importance of legal English for international active lawyers from several countries around the world. Therefore, relevant data will be assembled, analyzed and interpreted. The results will help to determine the importance of Legal English for international Law firms and for practicing lawyers today.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Problem statement
- Theoretical Part
- Definition of legal English
- Historical Background
- Differences between general English and Legal English
- Benefits of using Business English in International law firms
- Disadvantages of using Business English in International law firms
- Methodical Part
- Theoretical Background
- Exploratory questions and hypotheses
- Operationalization
- Data inquiry
- Data analysis
- Results
- Canada
- India
- Russia
- China
- Japan
- Brazil
- South Korea
- Germany
- Discussion
- Differences between the countries in regard to legal language
- Similarities between the countries in regard to legal language
- Summary
- Recommendation for action
- Training for young professionals
- Training for advanced professionals
- Prospects
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis aims to explore the role of legal English in international law firms, specifically focusing on its importance for lawyers who are not native English speakers. The study analyzes the benefits and challenges of using legal English in different legal contexts, providing insights into the skills and knowledge necessary for success in this field.
- The impact of legal English on international law firms.
- The challenges and benefits of using legal English for non-native speakers.
- The importance of legal English for career development and success in the field.
- The role of education and training in developing legal English proficiency.
- The implications of globalization and internationalization on legal language and practice.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction highlights the increasing importance of legal English in international legal practice, emphasizing the need for lawyers to master this specific language. The problem statement outlines the focus of the thesis: to analyze the relevance of legal English in international law firms, particularly for non-native speakers. The theoretical part delves into the definition, historical background, and differences between general English and legal English, examining its unique features and the significance of its use. The methodical part lays out the research methodology, including the exploratory questions, hypotheses, and data analysis techniques employed to gather and analyze information from various countries. The results section presents a detailed analysis of the findings from each country, highlighting key trends and observations. The discussion chapter examines the similarities and differences between the countries studied, drawing conclusions based on the collected data. The summary chapter provides a concise overview of the main findings and contributions of the thesis.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Legal English, international law firms, language proficiency, globalization, legal education, legal language, non-native speakers, professional development, internationalization, legal practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Legal English (Legalese)?
Legal English is a specialized style of English used by lawyers and legal professionals, characterized by specific terminology, formal structures, and historical linguistic influences.
Why is English considered the 'lingua franca' of international law?
Due to globalization, English has become the primary language for cross-border legal communication, international contracts, and arbitration in firms worldwide.
What are the benefits of using Legal English in international law firms?
It enables efficient communication between different jurisdictions, standardizes contracts, and can even influence employment opportunities and wages for practitioners.
What challenges do non-native speakers face with Legal English?
Non-native speakers often struggle with the precision of "Legalese," the differences from Standard English, and the nuances of common law terminology.
How does Legal English differ across countries?
The thesis analyzes findings from countries like Germany, China, Russia, and Brazil, highlighting that while the language is global, its application is influenced by local legal traditions.
Is training in Legal English recommended for professionals?
Yes, the thesis recommends specific training for both young and advanced professionals to ensure correct language use and maintain a competitive edge.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2018, Efficient use of foreign languages as an important factor of success in the modern working environment, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/428902
