NCJ Number
122338
Journal
Annual Review of Applied Linguistics Volume: 7 Dated: (1986) Pages: 50-63
Date Published
1986
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The application of linguistics to legal issues is a relatively new field and is one that requires skill and extensive knowledge, because both prosecutors and defense attorneys are increasingly requesting linguistic assistance.
Abstract
Recent research by linguists includes psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, semantics, and pragmatics. Some research has focused on courtroom language, including testimony, the language and speaking styles of attorneys, the instructions given by the judge to the jury, and the use of language by judges. Other research has focused on analyzing tape recorded evidence. Linguists have several roles in cases involving tape-recorded evidence. They should help the jury understand the case, help the jury understand who said what to whom, point out the available clues regarding the intentions of various speakers, point out the conversational strategies being used by the speakers, and provide an accurate transcript of conversations for jury reference. 37 references.