The Use of Legal Language in Movies: A Linguistic Analysis

by Nancy Fernandez

The legal system and legal language have always been an interesting subject for filmmakers. Courtroom dramas, legal thrillers, and crime movies all use legal language to build suspense, create tension, and add authenticity to their storylines. In this blog, we will analyze the use of legal language in movies and its impact on the audience.

Introduction:

Legal language is a specialized form of language that is used by lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals. It is characterized by its technical vocabulary, complex sentence structures, and strict rules of grammar and punctuation. Movies have long been fascinated by the use of legal language, and they often use it to create tension, establish authority, and add an air of authenticity to their stories.

The use of legal language in movies:

Movies that feature legal language often follow the conventions of the courtroom drama genre. These films use legal jargon, formal speech patterns, and complex arguments to create a sense of tension and drama. The language is often intended to confuse and intimidate the audience, as well as the characters on the screen.

 This is a reflection of the real-life use of legal language, which can often be baffling and bewildering to non-lawyers.

The use of legal language is one way to reinforce this sense of authority, by showing the characters using a specialized and complex form of language that only they understand.

Legal language can also be used to build suspense and tension. Courtroom dramas often feature cross-examinations, where lawyers use legal language to challenge the credibility of witnesses and defendants. The use of legal language in these scenes can create a sense of tension, as the audience waits to see how the argument will unfold.

The impact of legal language on the audience:

The use of legal language in movies can have a powerful impact on the audience. When used effectively, it can create tension, establish authority, and add authenticity to the story. However, it can also be confusing and intimidating to non-lawyers, who may struggle to follow the arguments and understand the technical vocabulary.

The use of legal language in movies can also shape our perceptions of the legal system. When lawyers are depicted as authoritative figures who use complex legal language, it can reinforce the idea that the legal system is complex, intimidating, and difficult to understand. 

This can have a negative impact on public perceptions of the legal system, and can make people feel alienated and powerless.

Conclusion:

The use of legal language in movies is a fascinating subject, and one that has been explored by filmmakers for many years. By analyzing the use of legal language in movies, we can gain a deeper understanding of its impact on the audience, and its role in shaping our perceptions of the legal system. 

Whether used to build tension, establish authority, or add authenticity to the story, legal language is a powerful tool that can make or break a movie.