Forensic Linguistics Implications for Legal Education: Creating the e-textbook on Language and Law

Abstract

Abstract The development of legal linguistics or forensic linguistics, as it is known, is a vivid example of integrative development of modern science. Linguistics became involved in various researches of human activities, with law being a particular field of language use. Legal linguistics traces close relationship between language and law which both linguists and lawyers find important. The institutionalization of Forensic linguistics which was marked by the setting up of the International Forensic Linguists Association resulted in closer interaction between linguists and lawyers and has aroused considerable interest in education. Many universities in the world turn to the problems of language and law, introducing different programs and courses. Law specialists and linguists in many countries work together on issues which are of particular importance for legal system development and communication in legal sphere. Foreign language educators at law schools, designing LSP courses take into account language and law relationship. The interdisciplinary approach to learning provide more effective way of language studies, acquainting students with real problems of legal language development and communication in professional setting. The practical application of legal linguistics gave an opportunity to use this rich and exciting material in the e-textbook which has been used in teaching LSP to law-students. An outline of legal linguistics development and the e-textbook creation and use are considered.