stylistics 9 法律文件文体特征.ppt

English of Legal Documents I. The English of legal documents as a variety statutes decrees legal provisions economic contracts commodity warranty deeds of trust insurance policies wills and testaments leases and installment plans II. Stylistic Features of Legal English 1. Graphological Features (1) Limited range of punctuation * Unpunctuated or punctuated only with a final period or a colon * Comma and period * Colon and semi-colon (2) Consistent use of initial capitalization * Initial capitalization is used to dignify certain lexical items and give distinctive visual emphasis. * Capitalization is used only for words that have been given a precise definition in a document. 2. Grammatical Features (1) Use of long complex sentences It is a characteristic legal habit to conflate, by means of an array of subordinating devices, sections of language. Never use anaphoric links between sentences “It” is best seen as a filler of the subject position rather than as a substitute for anything that might be identified as an antecedent. Seldom use pronouns for the purpose of avoiding confusion and ambiguities. e.g. The Author should bear the cost of any necessary fees for textual and illustrative permissions but the Publishers agree to pay such fees on the Author’s behalf up to an agreed maximum amount and may deduct the same from my sums that may become due to the Author under this Agreement. (2) Complete major sentences Wide use of statement-type sentences Logical structure: If X, then Y shall be Z If X, then Y shall do Z For Example 1: A If the named insured is a person or persons, and A if during the policy period such named insured owns a motor vehicle… S such insurance as is afforded by this policy… P (1) … applies to the use of a non-owned automobile by…; P (2) … applies to the use of a non-owned automobile by …: A Provided such use, operation or occupancy is with the permission of the owner or person in lawful possess