Journal of Research (Urdu), BZU - Multan

(جرنل آف ریسرچ (اردو

Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan (Pakistan)
ISSN (print): 1726-9067
ISSN (online): 1816-3424

Analyzing Reading Comprehension of Pakistani Learners of Law with Reference to Statutes, a Legal Genre

  • Dr. Naveed Ahmad Chaudhary/
  • December 31, 2007
Keywords
Law Courts Legal Legislation Language EOLP EALP Linguistics Adequacy Statutes or “Legislative English” is a “high stake” genre in legal settings. In situations where learners’ first language is other than English, law students and recent graduates in the
Abstract

Statutes or “Legislative English” is a “high stake” genre in legal settings. In situations where learners’ first language is other than English, law students and recent graduates in the profession of law reportedly find it hard to cope with statutes while performing academic and occupational task. The aim of this paper is to identify the level of linguistic adequacy of Pakistani learners of law with regard to two areas: 1) learners’ understanding of complex structure of statutes, and 2) their ability to apply statutes to cases. This empirical research was carried out through survey questionnaires by taking into account three members of legal discourse community: teachers of law, recent graduates and senior lawyers. The analysis revealed that a vast majority of learners have inadequate competence. The findings provide insights to course developers in the field of English for Academic Legal Purposes (EALP) and English for Occupational Legal Purposes (EOLP).   

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Statistics

Author(s):

Department of English, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan

Pakistan

  • 0092 333 611 58 87

Details:

Type: Article
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Language: English
Id: 5e807864502dd
Pages 23 - 44
Discipline: English
Published December 31, 2007

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