SEMANTIC DERIVATION IN THE TERMINOLOGY OF LEGAL SCIENCES IN THE FRENCH LANGUAGE

Abstract

Semantic derivation is one of the most prominent mechanisms for generating new terminological units in the French legal language. This process involves the secondary reinterpretation of existing lexemes within a professional legal context through metaphorical, metonymic, euphemistic, generalizing, and other cognitive mechanisms. The article examines typical strategies of semantic derivation used in the legal discourse of France, including the metaphorization of general vocabulary, semantic narrowing or broadening, lexical transformation, referential shift, and the creation of compound terms.The aim of the research is to identify semantic patterns involved in the formation of new legal terms and the transformation of existing ones in response to social, legal, and cultural changes. The study is based on authentic French legal sources, such as codes, statutes, regulations, court decisions, and specialized legal dictionaries. The methodological framework combines cognitive linguistics, terminology studies, functional stylistics, and legal lexicography. Special emphasis is placed on analyzing terms that have undergone conceptual shifts as a result of legislative reforms.The findings indicate that semantic derivation in the French legal language not only facilitates the creation of new terms but also enables the legal language to flexibly adapt to contemporary challenges. This enhances the precision of legal discourse, improves communication between legal professionals and the public, and contributes to the unification of terminology at the international level. The results may be applied in teaching legal French, legal translation, terminography, and further linguistic research.