Word Meaning and Legal Interpretation: An Introductory Guide

ISBN-13: 9781137016157 / Angielski / Twarda / 2014 / 260 str.

Christopher Mark Hutton

Opis

This book introduces ideas about word meaning in the context of law. It analyzes cases from common law jurisdictions that concern the meaning, definition and legal status of individual words, labels and categories. The focus is on the question of how law assigns authority over word meaning in different circumstances and in different domains of law.

Spis treści

Note on Conventions  Introduction: Scope and Aims of the Book  PART I: MEANING AND INTERPRETATION  1. Linguistic Meaning  2. Word Meaning and Interpretation in the Law  3. Ordinary Language and Legal Language  PART II: CASE STUDIES  4. Classification and Legislative Intent  5. Characterizing an Event  6. The Classification of Mundane Objects I: Food Items in United Kingdom Tax Law  7. The Classification of Mundane Objects II: Cases from the United States  8. Technological Change and Legal Categories  9. Lawful and Unlawful Searches  10. Colonial Encounters: What is a Sacred Object?  11. Defining Identity I: Job or Profession  12. Defining Identity II: Nation, People and Race  13. Defining Identity III: Transgender Identities  14. Defining Identity IV: Corporate Personhood  PART III: CONCLUDING DISCUSSION  15. Word Meaning and Interpretative Authority  Abbreviations  References  Cases Cited.

O autorze

Christopher Hutton is Chair Professor in the School of English at the University of Hong Kong.

Blurb

This textbook offers a concise introduction to key concepts in the study of meaning and interpretation taken from linguistics, philosophy and the law. A range of actual cases that involve ordinary words, commonsense categories and problems of classification are explored and clearly explained for readers who want to learn more but lack the legal background.

Word Meaning and Legal Interpretation:
• provides a strong sense of the texture of legal problems
• includes detailed summaries and analyses of cases from common law jurisdictions
• equips the reader for more advanced studies in language and the law, legal theory and legal interpretation

This is an ideal primer for language and law, forensic linguistics and applied linguistics students who wish to explore this fascinating field.