LEGAL ENGLISH
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Core prerequisite is the knowledge of the English language equal or superior to the B1 level defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. During the course, it will be paid particular attention to any specific need of grammatical and/or terminological review and students will have the possibility to do ad hoc exercises and integrative readings.
The exam is written. It is based on the elaboration of a written text on legal matters indicated by the Professor and matching and gap-filling exercises, as well as on the translation of expressions of Legalese and plain English. During the exam students are allowed to use monolingual and bilingual dictionaries.
In the latest lessons students will be asked to do exercises, reviews and simulations on the most relevant themes analyzed.
The course is aimed at developing appropriate strategies regarding written and oral communication in Legal English, in order to conduct negotiations, meetings, contracts, communication and consultancy services with language skills and adequate legal terminology. The course analyses the most relevant lexical, grammatical and stylistic aspects of Legal English to use in formal and informal contexts and examines the typical features and differences of the so-called Plain English and Legalese. During the course students will read, translate and examine several legal texts, which include the typical vocabulary adopted in civil law (in particular, in contract law), in EU law, in commercial and company law. The course includes in-depth studies on case-law texts and constant comparisons between British and American English, as well as the use of online vocabularies, databases and legal websites.
The first part of the course will be dedicated to a review of the most relevant grammatical structures of English language and of the most frequent lexical categories. Particular attention will be paid to the use of modal and prepositional verbs, to the so-called false friends, to passive sentences and to the typical legal expressions and words. The practical exercises will include numerous comparisons between plain English and Legalese and between British English and American English. During the second part of the course, these lessons will be integrated with the analysis of different texts adopted in legal and commercial communication, contracts, arbitration clauses, claim forms, powers of attorney etc.
The course is principally based on the book below quoted, on online materials, texts and documents downloaded from the most important websites concerning legal matters and on texts directly prepared by Dott.ssa Roberta Bogni.
Compulsory bibliography:
G. Di Renzo Villata (a cura di), con la collaborazione di R. Buzzi, G. Cadel, A. Grasso, Legal English, Padova, Cedam, ultima edizione.
G. Di Renzo Villata (edited by), in collaboration with R. Buzzi, G. Cadel, A. Grasso, Legal English, Padova, Cedam, latest edition.
Recommended dictionaries:
S. De Palma (edited by), in collaboration with A. Grasso and J. Schorah, Dizionario di Inglese Giuridico, Bologna, Filodiritto Editore, May 2012.
G. Villa (edited by), Dizionario esplicativo di inglese giuridico, Milan, Giuffrè Editore, 2015.
F. De Franchis (edited by), Dizionario giuridico – Law dictionary, 2 – Italiano/Inglese e Inglese/Italiano, Milano, Giuffrè, latest edition.
The course will take place from February to the end of May 2018 and include 35 hours of lesson. During the lessons, the grammatical and lexical analysis will be integrated with numerous practical exercises and readings, translations and comprehension tests.
Students can meet the Professor at the end of her lessons by prior appointment requested by e-mail: roberta.bogni@uninsubria.it