Pragmatics in legal interpretation

Book chapter

Durant, A. and Leung, J. 2017. Pragmatics in legal interpretation. in: Barron, A., Gu, Y. and Steen, G. (ed.) The Routledge Handbook of Pragmatics London Routledge. pp. 535-549
Chapter titlePragmatics in legal interpretation
AuthorsDurant, A. and Leung, J.
Abstract

How should pragmatic dimensions of meaning be understood when they occur in the frequently normative use of language in law? In this chapter, referring principally to common law systems, we outline how pragmatic issues arise in the interpretation of legal texts; we describe how legal interpretation has treated indirect and implied meaning; and we ask how far dialogue between linguistic pragmatics and law can enrich thinking and practice in each of these fields.

Page range535-549
Book titleThe Routledge Handbook of Pragmatics
EditorsBarron, A., Gu, Y. and Steen, G.
PublisherRoutledge
Place of publicationLondon
SeriesRoutledge Handbooks in Applied Linguistics
ISBN
Hardcover9780415531412
Electronic9781315668925
Paperback9780367529109
Publication dates
Online20 Jan 2017
Print27 Jan 2017
Publication process dates
Deposited16 Feb 2017
Completed08 Feb 2015
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
Copyright Statement

This is an Accepted Manuscript of a book chapter published by Routledge in The Routledge Handbook of Pragmatics on 20/01/2017, available online: http://www.routledge.com/9780415531412

Additional information

eBook published January 20, 2017
Hardback published January 27, 2017
Paperback published April 28, 2020

Web address (URL)https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781315668925/chapters/10.4324/9781315668925-38
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315668925-38
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/86wz9

Log in to edit

Download files

Accepted author manuscript
Durant and Leung - Pragmatics in Legal Interpretation.pdf

  • 61
    total views
  • 525
    total downloads
  • 3
    views this month
  • 24
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

What’s in a name? Linguistic and legal aspects of company names, product and service names, trademarks, and brands
Durant, A. and Davis, J. 2023. What’s in a name? Linguistic and legal aspects of company names, product and service names, trademarks, and brands. in: Nick, I. (ed.) Names, Naming, and the Law: Onomastics, Identity, Power, and Policy New York Taylor & Francis (Routledge).
Peter Goodrich, Advanced Introduction to Law and Literature (Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK and Northampton MA, USA), 2021.pp. 119 [Book review]
Durant, A. 2022. Peter Goodrich, Advanced Introduction to Law and Literature (Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK and Northampton MA, USA), 2021.pp. 119 [Book review]. Law & Literature. 34 (2), pp. 279-290. https://doi.org/10.1080/1535685X.2021.2011049
Directions in intellectual property law research: a linguistic contribution
Durant, A. and Davis, J. 2021. Directions in intellectual property law research: a linguistic contribution. in: Calboli, I. and Montagnani, M. (ed.) Handbook on Intellectual Property Law Research: Lenses, Methods, and Approaches Oxford Oxford University Press (OUP). pp. 344-360
Environment
Allan, K. and Durant, A. 2019. Environment. Critical Quarterly. 61 (3), pp. 67-84. https://doi.org/10.1111/criq.12492
Opinion
Durant, A. 2018. Opinion. in: Keywords Project, T., MacCabe, C. and Yanacek, H. (ed.) Keywords for Today: A 21st Century Vocabulary New York Oxford University Press (OUP). pp. 260-263
Legitimate
Durant, A. 2018. Legitimate. in: Keywords Project, T., MacCabe, C. and Yanacek, H. (ed.) Keywords for Today: A 21st Century Vocabulary New York Oxford University Press (OUP). pp. 211-214
Value
Durant, A. 2018. Value. in: Keywords Project, T., MacCabe, C. and Yanacek, H. (ed.) Keywords for Today: A 21st Century Vocabulary New York Oxford University Press (OUP). pp. 368-371
Rights
Durant, A. 2018. Rights. in: Keywords Project, T., MacCabe, C. and Yanacek, H. (ed.) Keywords for Today: A 21st Century Vocabulary New York Oxford University Press (OUP). pp. 315-318
Property
Durant, A. 2018. Property. in: Keywords Project, T., MacCabe, C. and Yanacek, H. (ed.) Keywords for Today: A 21st Century Vocabulary New York Oxford University Press (OUP). pp. 279-282
Market
Durant, A. 2018. Market. in: Keywords Project, T., MacCabe, C. and Yanacek, H. (ed.) Keywords for Today: A 21st Century Vocabulary New York Oxford University Press (OUP). pp. 228-231
Information
Durant, A. 2018. Information. in: Keywords Project, T., MacCabe, C. and Yanacek, H. (ed.) Keywords for Today: A 21st Century Vocabulary New York Oxford University Press (OUP). pp. 199-205
Global
Durant, A. 2018. Global. in: Keywords Project, T., MacCabe, C. and Yanacek, H. (ed.) Keywords for Today: A 21st Century Vocabulary New York Oxford University Press (OUP). pp. 171-174
Enterprise
Durant, A. 2018. Enterprise. in: Keywords Project, T., MacCabe, C. and Yanacek, H. (ed.) Keywords for Today: A 21st Century Vocabulary New York Oxford University Press (OUP). pp. 117-120
Seeing sense: the complexity of key words that tell us what law is
Durant, A. 2018. Seeing sense: the complexity of key words that tell us what law is. in: Leung, J. and Durant, A. (ed.) Meaning and Power in the Language of Law Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press (CUP). pp. 32-70
Editors' Introduction
Durant, A. and Leung, J. 2018. Editors' Introduction. in: Leung, J. and Durant, A. (ed.) Meaning and Power in the Language of Law Cambridge UK Cambridge University Press (CUP). pp. 1-16
A story of rights: from word and conceptualisation to law and cultural narrative
Durant, A. 2017. A story of rights: from word and conceptualisation to law and cultural narrative. The Journal of English Language and Literature (JELL). 63 (4), pp. 623-640. https://doi.org/10.15794/jell.2017.63.4.001
Harold Berman's: Law and Language [Book review]
Durant, A. 2015. Harold Berman's: Law and Language [Book review]. International Journal for the Semiotics of Law - Revue internationale de Sémiotique juridique. 28 (2), pp. 427-432. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11196-014-9389-2
Linguistic analysis in trade mark law: current approaches and new challenges
Durant, A. and Davis, J. 2018. Linguistic analysis in trade mark law: current approaches and new challenges. in: Visconti, J. (ed.) Handbook of Communication in the Legal Sphere Berlin Walter de Gruyter.
Ways of reading: advanced reading skills for students of literature
Montgomery, M., Durant, A., Furniss, T. and Mills, S. 2012. Ways of reading: advanced reading skills for students of literature. London Routledge.
Using literary texts in ELT: retrospect and challenges
Durant, A. 2013. Using literary texts in ELT: retrospect and challenges. in: Toyota, M. and Kikuchi, S. (ed.) New Horizons in English Language Teaching: Language, Literature and Education Kyoto Kansai Gaidai University Press. pp. 1-35
Media stylistics
Lambrou, M. and Durant, A. 2014. Media stylistics. in: Stockwell, P. and Whitely, S. (ed.) The Cambridge Handbook of Stylistics Cambridge Cambridge University Press (CUP). pp. 503-519
Language and law: a resource book for students
Durant, A. and Leung, J. 2016. Language and law: a resource book for students. London Routledge.
HAVE A BREAK and the changing demands of trademark registration
Davis, J. and Durant, A. 2015. HAVE A BREAK and the changing demands of trademark registration. Queen Mary Journal of Intellectual Property Law. 5 (2), pp. 132-156. https://doi.org/10.4337/qmjip.2015.02.02
Reading mixed reception: the case of 'The Satanic Verses'.
Durant, A. and Izarra, L. 2001. Reading mixed reception: the case of 'The Satanic Verses'. CAUCE, Revista de Filologia y su Didactica.
The concept of secondary orality: observations about speech and text in modern communications media.
Durant, A. 1984. The concept of secondary orality: observations about speech and text in modern communications media. The Dalhousie Review. 64 (2), pp. 332-353.
Intelligence: issues in a word or a field.
Durant, A. 1991. Intelligence: issues in a word or a field. Social Intelligence. 1 (3), pp. 171-178.
Improvisation in the political economy of music
Durant, A. 1989. Improvisation in the political economy of music. in: Norris, C. (ed.) Music and the politics of culture Lawrence Wishart. pp. 252-282
A new day for music? digital technology in contemporary music-making
Durant, A. 1990. A new day for music? digital technology in contemporary music-making. in: Hayward, P. (ed.) Culture, technology & creativity in the late twentieth century London Arts Council and Libbey Press. pp. 175-196
Compacted doctrines: Empson and the meanings of words.
Durant, A. and MacCabe, C. 1993. Compacted doctrines: Empson and the meanings of words. in: Norris, C. and Mapp, N. (ed.) William Empson: the critical achievement Cambridge University Press (CUP). pp. 170-195
'Making one's language as one goes along': Wong Phui Nam's 'Ways of Exile'.
Durant, A. 1993. 'Making one's language as one goes along': Wong Phui Nam's 'Ways of Exile'. in: Nam, W. (ed.) Ways of Exile: Poems from the First Decade. London Skoob Books Pub Ltd. pp. 145-157
Introduction to 'Language through Literature' approaches to teaching Literature in English in L2 contexts.
Durant, A. 1995. Introduction to 'Language through Literature' approaches to teaching Literature in English in L2 contexts. Sprak Och Fiktion.
Literacy and Literature: priorities in English studies towards 2000.
Durant, A. 1995. Literacy and Literature: priorities in English studies towards 2000. in: Korte, B. and Muller, K. (ed.) Anglistische Lehre Aktuell: probleme, perspektiven, praxis. Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Trier. pp. 37-59
Meaning trouble-spots: critical discourse analysis and social engagement.
Durant, A. 1998. Meaning trouble-spots: critical discourse analysis and social engagement. in: Rojo, L. and Whittaker, R. (ed.) Poder-decir o el poder de los discursos. Arrecife Producciones & Ediciones de la Universidad Autonoma de Madrid. pp. 121-147
What future for interpretive work in Film and Media Studies?
Durant, A. 2000. What future for interpretive work in Film and Media Studies? Screen: the journal of the Society for Education in Film and Television. 41 (1), pp. 7-17. https://doi.org/10.1093/screen/41.1.7
Designing groupwork activities: a case study
Durant, A. 1996. Designing groupwork activities: a case study. in: Carter, R. and McRae, J. (ed.) Language, literature, and the learner: creative classroom practice Longman. pp. 65-88
Ezra Pound, identity in crisis: a fundamental reassessment of the poet and his work
Durant, A. 1981. Ezra Pound, identity in crisis: a fundamental reassessment of the poet and his work. The Harvester Press and Barnes & Noble.
Facts and meanings in British Cultural Studies.
Durant, A. 2003. Facts and meanings in British Cultural Studies. in: Bassnett, S. (ed.) Studying British Cultures: an introduction. Routledge. pp. 20-40
Exploring inferences prompted by reading a very short story.
Durant, A. 1998. Exploring inferences prompted by reading a very short story. Perspectives: Journal of TESOL Italy. XXIV (1), pp. 45-55.
Politics and language: Meaning and public deception: a tale of more than ‘very, very few people’
Durant, A. 2006. Politics and language: Meaning and public deception: a tale of more than ‘very, very few people’. Critical Quarterly. 48 (2), pp. 85-90. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8705.2006.00708.x
Four ways of looking at a keyword: introduction
Adamson, S. and Durant, A. 2007. Four ways of looking at a keyword: introduction. Critical Quarterly. 49 (1), pp. 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8705.2007.00772.x
The significance is in the selection: identifying contemporary keywords
Durant, A. 2008. The significance is in the selection: identifying contemporary keywords. Critical Quarterly. 50 (1-2), pp. 122-142. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8705.2008.00815.x
On the interpretation of allusions and other innuendo meanings in libel actions: the value of semantic and pragmatic evidence.
Durant, A. 1996. On the interpretation of allusions and other innuendo meanings in libel actions: the value of semantic and pragmatic evidence. International Journal of Speech Language and the Law. 3 (2), pp. 195-210.
Orality and literacy.
Durant, A. 2005. Orality and literacy. in: Groden, M., Kreiswirth, M. and Szeman, I. (ed.) The Johns Hopkins guide to literary theory and criticism. The John Hopkins University Press.
How can I tell the trade mark on a piece of gingerbread from all the other marks on it? Naming and meaning in verbal trademark signs
Durant, A. 2008. How can I tell the trade mark on a piece of gingerbread from all the other marks on it? Naming and meaning in verbal trademark signs. in: Bently, L., Davis, J. and Ginsburg, J. (ed.) Trade Marks and Brands: an interdisciplinary critique. Cambridge University Press (CUP).
Review article. Circulation and stability: language, law and money in Chris Hutton’s 'Language, Meaning and the Law'
Durant, A. 2009. Review article. Circulation and stability: language, law and money in Chris Hutton’s 'Language, Meaning and the Law'. Language and Communication. 29 (4), pp. 394-400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.langcom.2009.06.001
How does substantial similarity of expression in infringement actions look from a linguistic point of view?
Durant, A. 2010. How does substantial similarity of expression in infringement actions look from a linguistic point of view? in: Bently, L., Davis, J. and Ginsburg, J. (ed.) Copyright and Piracy: an interdisciplinary critique Cambridge University Press (CUP).
Reading cases in interdisciplinary studies of law and literature
Durant, A. 2012. Reading cases in interdisciplinary studies of law and literature. in: Wan, M. (ed.) Reading the legal case: cross-currents between law and the humanities UK Routledge. pp. 11-28
To protect or not to protect? The eligibility of commercially-used short verbal texts for copyright and trade mark protection
Davis, J. and Durant, A. 2011. To protect or not to protect? The eligibility of commercially-used short verbal texts for copyright and trade mark protection. Intellectual Property Quarterly.
Conditions of music
Durant, A. 1984. Conditions of music. London Macmillan.
The linguistics of writing: arguments between language and literature
Fabb, N., Attridge, D., Durant, A. and MacCabe, C. 1987. The linguistics of writing: arguments between language and literature. Manchester University Press.
Literary studies in action
Durant, A. and Fabb, N. 1990. Literary studies in action. Routledge.
Ways of reading: advanced reading skills for students of English literature. 3rd edition
Montgomery, M., Durant, A., Furniss, T., Mills, S. and Fabb, N. 2007. Ways of reading: advanced reading skills for students of English literature. 3rd edition. Routledge.
How to write essays and dissertations: a guide for English literature students. 2nd edition
Fabb, N. and Durant, A. 2005. How to write essays and dissertations: a guide for English literature students. 2nd edition. Pearson Education Ltd.
Noises offscreen: could a crisis of confidence be good for media studies?
Durant, A. 1991. Noises offscreen: could a crisis of confidence be good for media studies? Screen: the journal of the Society for Education in Film and Television. 32 (4), pp. 407-428. https://doi.org/10.1093/screen/32.4.407
Language and media: a resource book for students
Durant, A. and Lambrou, M. 2009. Language and media: a resource book for students. Routledge.
Meaning in the media: discourse, controversy and debate
Durant, A. 2010. Meaning in the media: discourse, controversy and debate. Cambridge University Press (CUP).
'Culture' and 'communication' in intercultural communication.
Durant, A. and Shepherd, I. 2009. 'Culture' and 'communication' in intercultural communication. European Journal of English Studies. 13 (2), pp. 147-162.
Comprehension and problem-solving in the literature classroom.
Durant, A. 2003. Comprehension and problem-solving in the literature classroom. in: Saito, Y. (ed.) Eigo No Osie-Kata Manabi-Kata [in English: ‘Teaching and Learning English: integrating language, literature and culture']. University of Tokyo Press. pp. 33-56
Applying linguistics: questions of language and law.
Durant, A. 2002. Applying linguistics: questions of language and law. in: Hidetaka, I. and Komori, Y. (ed.) Praxis of Language. University of Tokyo Press.
Raymond Williams's Keywords: investigating meanings ‘offered, felt for, tested, confirmed, asserted, qualified, changed’
Durant, A. 2006. Raymond Williams's Keywords: investigating meanings ‘offered, felt for, tested, confirmed, asserted, qualified, changed’. Critical Quarterly. 48 (4), pp. 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8705.2006.00743.x
There may be regular guys but there are no regular native speakers: lexis and native-speaker-like competence.
Durant, A. 2005. There may be regular guys but there are no regular native speakers: lexis and native-speaker-like competence. in: Granath, S., Miliander, J. and Wenno, E. (ed.) Essays in honour of Moira Linnarud. Karlstad University Press. pp. 31-45