Abstract
The need for unambiguous communication in the theoretical and applied fields of human activity, such as the legal profession, is constantly increasing. Terminologists and subject specialists are focused on the provision of unambiguous source- and target-language terms for well-defined concepts. In order to achieve this aim, it is necessary to determine the precise mean- ings of terms which enable users to comprehend and use them in a universally accepted manner. Legal language is one of the most difficult languages for special purposes since only legal experts versed in the special vocabulary can communicate successfully — laypeople tend to struggle com- prehending the language of law, sometimes called legalese. This study deals with legal language, the bridging of communication problems in a legal setting by especially court interpreters, and difficulties these legal linguists may experience in this endeavour. Some word-forming principles are discussed and examples are given of typical multilingual coinages in the legal profession. Vari- ous matters relating to terminology usage in a multilingual society receive attention. Some of the principles of the standardisation, harmonisation and the internationalisation of the terminology of the legal profession are discussed. The research also addresses the work of the Centre for Legal Terminology in African Languages (CLTAL) and of other relevant terminology projects, e.g. that of the Centre for Political and Related Terminology in Southern Africa (CEPTSA).
Highlights
Language plays a central role in allowing a person access to justice
Problems are for instance encountered when non-existing concepts are imported into the African languages from foreign legal systems — e.g. the concept denoted by the terms eng 'high treason' and afr 'hoogverraad' for which no Northern Sotho term could be found, because the concept is foreign to the speech community
Concluding remarks This article focused on the background principles, procedures and practice of terminology and terminography for legal interpreting in the African languages
Summary
Language plays a central role in allowing a person access to justice. The Constitution of South Africa 1996 endorses this supposition by allowing the accused an opportunity to be tried in a language they understand. Information flow is prevented from being established by factors such as low literacy rates, low levels of proficiency in English and terminologically poorly developed African languages (cf. Fourie 1994: 11-15)
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