I. Explain the meaning of the italicized words.

II. Discuss the following questions:

1. What antiquated features are characteristic of legal English?

2. What is the process of linguistic creativity like in legal English?

3. What are functions of ritualistic terminology?

4. What are the functions of the verb do in legal documents?

5. What are the functions of the verb shall in legal documents?

6. Is there any difference between argot and jargon?

7. What is the role of technical terms?

8. What kinds of lexical relationship are there in language?

9. Could you find examples of synonyms, antonyms and homonyms in the text?

10. Do word relations in legal English create any problems?

III. Match the legal terms and their definitions:

1. term of art 2. jurisdiction 3. legal act 4. proceeding 5. amendment

a. a deed, will or other formal legal document in writing b. a power constitutionally conferred upon a judge or magistrate, to take cognizance of and decide causes according to law and to carry his sentence into execution; c. an alternation or change of something proposed in a bill; d. a word having a particular meaning in a field (as the law) e. form in which actions are to be brought and defended, the manner of intervening in suits, of conducting them, the mode of deciding them, of opposing judgments and of executing;

IV. Find definitions of the following linguistic terms in the linguistic dictionary:

Technical Term Archaism Jargon Argot Homonym Synonym Antonym Polysemy

V. Read 2 extracts from the legal documents (Employment Agreement and Joint Venture Agreement) and find out which italicized words/phrases are archaic and which ones are technical terms?

Find synonyms and antonyms in these texts (e.g. commence-terminate)

1. Employment Agreement

This Agreement made and entered into this ____(1) day of _____(2), 20___ (3), by and between ______(4), of _____(5), hereinafter referred to as "employer", and______(6), of _____(7), hereinafter referred to as "employee".

The parties recite that:

A. Employer is engaged in _____(8) and maintains business premises at _____(9).

B. Employee is willing to be employed by employer, and employer is willing to employ employee, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. For the reasons set forth above, and in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises of the parties hereto, employer and employee covenant and agree as follows:

1.Agreement to employ and be employed

Employer hereby employs employee as ______(10) at the abovementioned premises, and employee hereby accepts and agrees to such employment.

2. Descriptions of employee’s duties

Subject to the supervision and pursuant to the orders, advice, and direction of employer, employee shall perform such duties as are customarily performed by one holding such position in other businesses or enterprises of the same or similar nature as that engaged in by employer. Employee shall additionally render such other and unrelated services and duties as may be assigned to him from time to time by employer.