In this chapter 2 I try to account for the specific configuration of the popularization of legal discourse with respect to the popularization of other types of discourse, notably scientific discourse. This entails delineating the particularity of law as a body of knowledge and popular perceptions about law and legal professionals with respect to the particularity of science as a body of knowledge and popular perceptions about science and scientists. I illustrate some of the ways in which legal discourse permeates people’s daily lives. After briefly defining ‘popularization’ and ‘legal discourse’, I explore the historical dimension of the popularization of law. I also look at the role of education in the popularization of law and science. I then outline the phenomenon of ‘law and Plain language’ and the objectives of the Plain language movement. In my conclusions I assess the extent to which law and Plain language coincides with the popularization of law. My analysis is based mainly on the English-speaking world, though I include occasional references to other countries – notably Italy, China and Japan – for illustrative or comparative purposes.
The 'popularization of law' and 'law and Plain language': are they two separate issues?
WILLIAMS, CHRISTOPHER
2013-01-01
Abstract
In this chapter 2 I try to account for the specific configuration of the popularization of legal discourse with respect to the popularization of other types of discourse, notably scientific discourse. This entails delineating the particularity of law as a body of knowledge and popular perceptions about law and legal professionals with respect to the particularity of science as a body of knowledge and popular perceptions about science and scientists. I illustrate some of the ways in which legal discourse permeates people’s daily lives. After briefly defining ‘popularization’ and ‘legal discourse’, I explore the historical dimension of the popularization of law. I also look at the role of education in the popularization of law and science. I then outline the phenomenon of ‘law and Plain language’ and the objectives of the Plain language movement. In my conclusions I assess the extent to which law and Plain language coincides with the popularization of law. My analysis is based mainly on the English-speaking world, though I include occasional references to other countries – notably Italy, China and Japan – for illustrative or comparative purposes.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
