Chinese Language in Law

Code Red

Deborah Cao

The book explores some of the intricacies, dilemmas, and idiosyncrasies of the Chinese language used in the legal context, analyzing linguistic matters in both monolingual Chinese context and cross-linguistically when Chinese and English are compared. It investigates the linguistic and cultural landscape through an examination of a number of keywords and linguistic usage associated with Chinese law. It is suggested that to understand Chinese society and law, we need to understand the rich and idiosyncratic Chinese language and cultural traditions and the legal and political context and subtext, and also to be cognizant of the tension and interaction between legal norms and cultural and linguistic values in their legal realization in the changing Chinese society. The book is a collection of the author’s interpretation of Chinese law from a linguistic and cultural perspective, both as a user and interpreter of this ancient and changing language.

Lexington Books

Pages: 240 • Trim: 6½ x 9¼

978-1-4985-0395-2 • Hardback • November 2017 • $117.00 • (£90.00)

978-1-4985-0396-9 • eBook • November 2017 • $111.00 • (£85.00)

Subjects: Law / Communications, Foreign Language Study / Chinese, Law / Legal Writing, Political Science / World / Asian

Chinese Language in Law

Code Red

Hardback

eBook

Summary

The book explores some of the intricacies, dilemmas, and idiosyncrasies of the Chinese language used in the legal context, analyzing linguistic matters in both monolingual Chinese context and cross-linguistically when Chinese and English are compared. It investigates the linguistic and cultural landscape through an examination of a number of keywords and linguistic usage associated with Chinese law. It is suggested that to understand Chinese society and law, we need to understand the rich and idiosyncratic Chinese language and cultural traditions and the legal and political context and subtext, and also to be cognizant of the tension and interaction between legal norms and cultural and linguistic values in their legal realization in the changing Chinese society. The book is a collection of the author’s interpretation of Chinese law from a linguistic and cultural perspective, both as a user and interpreter of this ancient and changing language.

Details

Lexington Books

Pages: 240 • Trim: 6½ x 9¼

978-1-4985-0395-2 • Hardback • November 2017 • $117.00 • (£90.00)

978-1-4985-0396-9 • eBook • November 2017 • $111.00 • (£85.00)

Subjects: Law / Communications, Foreign Language Study / Chinese, Law / Legal Writing, Political Science / World / Asian

Author

Deborah Cao is professor at Griffith University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Linguistic Dimensions in Chinese Law: Problems and Perspectives
Chapter 2: Keywords of Law
Chapter 3: Doing Justice Linguistically
Chapter 4: Yuan: Injustice as a Keyword
Chapter 5: Linguistic and Cultural Meanings of Rights in Chinese
Chapter 6: Legal Speech Acts and Chinese Legislative Performatives
Chapter 7: Is the Chinese Legal Language More Ambiguous and Vague

Reviews

The potential audience for the book includes scholars or students in the fields of law, linguistics, sociology or anthropology, especially those interested in Chinese law, as well as translators or interpreters. . . .To conclude, China has a unique, rich and fascinating legal tradition that is worthy of scholarly attention in order to understand what is going on legally in China today. China may not be a country of the rule of law at present, but it is moving steadily towards it despite obstacles. The kind of linguistic analysis and examination of Chinese law by Deborah Cao contained in this book will no doubt help facilitate the process, because language does matter.
— The China Quarterly

Chinese Language in Law

Code Red

Deborah Cao

Chinese Language in Law

Code Red

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