法律英语词汇的模糊性-以《国际统一私法协会国际商事合同通则（2010版）》为例_英语论文

The Vagueness in Legal English Lexica—A Case Study of the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts 2010

摘要

法律英语语言应以精准为要、严谨为准，而不可忽略的是其在表达精准严谨的同时还存在大量的模糊语言，这一特征越来越为法律英语的研究学者们所关注。法律英语的模糊性，既是人类自然语言的客观属性体现又带有法律英语的独特风格。合理地运用模糊语言，不但可以使法律语言更准确、更严密，同时还可以提高法律语言的科学性。本文以法律英语的模糊性为切入点并结合《国际统一私法协会国际商事合同通则（2010版）》这一具体的法律文本进行分析，对法律英语词语模糊性的种类、模糊性的原因以及模糊性的功能进行分析研究，从而突出模糊性在法律英语中的重要作用和价值。模糊词语在法律英语中广泛存在且有着非常重要的作用。恰当地使用模糊词语可以使语言表达更加准确，同时也能提高语言表达的效率，使语言表达更加的灵活。

关键词：法律英语词汇；模糊性；国际商事合同通则

Abstract

Preciseness is a core feature of the legal English. However, what can not be ignored is that there is still a lot of vagueness in legal English. This phenomenon is increasingly concerned by the scholars who are engaged in legal English studies. The vagueness of legal English not only reflects the objective attributes of human natural language, but also embodies the unique style of legal English. Using vague language reasonably can not only make the language of legal English more accurate but also make it more scientific. This paper takes the vagueness of legal English lexica as a point of penetration and studies the types of vagueness, the causes of vagueness as well as the functions of vagueness in legal English lexica based on an analysis of the vagueness in the UNIDROIT Principle of International Commercial Contracts 2010 to highlight the significance and value of vagueness in legal English lexica. Vagueness is widely used and plays a very important role in legal English. Appropriate use of vague expressions can make semantics more accurate, increase the precision of legal English and enhance the flexibility and efficiency of expression. 

Key words: legal English lexica; vagueness; principles of international commercial contracts

Contents

Acknowledgements i

Abstract & Key words in English ii

Abstract & Key words in Chinese iii

Introduction 1

1. An introduction of legal English 1

1.1 The definitions of legal English 1

1.2 The features of legal English lexica 2

1.2.1 Technical legal terms 2

1.2.2 Legal terms of arts 3

1.2.3 Archaic words 4

2. An introduction of the UNIDROIT PICC 4

3. The vagueness of legal English lexica 5

3.1 The vagueness of legal English 5

3.1.1 The definitions of vagueness 5

3.1.2 Forms of vagueness 6

3.1.3 Causes of vagueness 7

3.1.3.1 Generalization of language 7

3.1.3.2 Complexity and infinity of legal phenomena 7

3.1.3.3 Cognitive ability of human beings 8

3.1.4 Functions of vagueness 8

3.2 The vagueness of legal English lexica in the UNIDROIT PICC 9

3.2.1 Use of vague additives 10

3.2.2 Use of vague words 11

3.2.3 Use of implication words 12

Conclusion 13

References 15