简明法律英语的词汇特征

Lexical Features of Simplified Legal English

法律英语作为专门用途英语的一种,具有其独特的语言特征,从文体的分类来看,较其它文体更为正式、刻板,属于庄重文体。现代法律英语的简明化特征主要体现在词汇和句法等方面,简明法律英语的词汇特征主要包括:减少起衔接作用的词汇,尽量使用有实在意义的词汇;用单词代替复合词;避免使用繁杂的法律表达;使用基本动词,避免使用动词的名词化结构;尽量避免使用古体词;使用熟悉的、普通的词汇,慎用大词;避免使用带有性别歧视的语言等等。但由于其本身的保守倾向,法律英语词汇的简明化不是一蹴而就的,而是在保留一定传统法律语言习惯的前提下,逐步简化的过程。

As ESP, legal English has its unique stylistic features, which belongs to the frozen style and is full of formal and rigid expressions. In 1970s, the Plain English Movement urged the legal English to be simplified. The simplified legal English has its lexical and syntactical features. This article analyzes the lexical features of simplified legal English, such as more working words used instead of glue words; single words used instead of compound constructions; avoidance of the redundant legal phrases; use of base verbs instead of nominalization; avoidance of archaisms; use of familiar, common words instead of big words; avoidance of sexist languages, etc. However, the simplification of legal English is a complicated and long process, which will be accomplished gradually but not at a stroke.