HISTORICAL AND LINGUISTIC ASPECTS OF FRENCH BORROWINGS IN LEGAL ENGLISH
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2522-4077-2025-214.2-11Keywords:
french borrowings, Norman French, «Law French», «Franglais», jurisprudence, classification of terms, legal activityAbstract
This article is devoted to the study of French borrowings in legal English, specifically their formation, spread, and usage in legal terminology. The article analyzes the specific features of this terminology, such as its French origin, strict use of terms, formality, and standardization. The historical aspect of the development of legal vocabulary in the English language is separately examined, particularly the influence of Norman-French after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, when English began to experience significant French influence. This led to the formation of «Law French» − a language used in legal correspondence and court proceedings. Some terms and structures introduced at that time have persisted in modern legal English.The purpose of this article is to analyze the French borrowings in legal English terminology, their formation, spread, and usage, as well as to examine the lexical composition of English legal terms.To achieve the objective of the study, descriptive, analytical, and etymological methods were applied. Elements of the comparative method were also partially employed to contrast English and French legal constructions. The research made use of such reference sources as the Anglo-Ukrainian Dictionary of Legal Terms and Black’s Law Dictionary, which contributed to a detailed examination of legal terminology and its etymology.The scientific novelty of the work lies in the comprehensive approach to analyzing French borrowings in legal English and their impact on the development of legal vocabulary. The article also highlights the connection between Old French and modern English legal terminology, as well as the interaction of terms through the process of “Franglais,” which is an important aspect for understanding the transformation of linguistic units in the international legal context.From the history of the development of legal language, it can be concluded that it has gone through a significant evolution, and despite its specificity, terms in English law often have equivalents in other languages and legal systems. Knowledge of these equivalents is essential for lawyers and legal professionals, as it allows them to better adapt to different legal systems and interact effectively on the international level. Legal language vocabulary is rich and diverse, contributing to its successful application in international legal processes. Studying legal terminology in English is a necessary tool for effective communication, analysis, and interpretation of legal acts, as well as participation in global legal initiatives.
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