Latin at Legal world: remarks on Legal culture and the interface with the linguistic field

Abstract

This paper proposes a reflection on the role of Latin in legal practices and legal culture. Specifically, this work argues that a proper understanding of the role of Latin in the legal world requires more attention regarding what this language brings to that field. To suit this, this study sheds some light on the historical-linguistic nature of the so-called “legal Latin” and also on the proliferation of glossaries and manuals of this modality of Latin that do not contain linguistic and historical-cultural reflections. Secondly, this paper calls into attention the importance of understanding Latin through the Latin language, especially for a less shallow understanding of the bases of Roman Law and the Legal History. Furthermore, this work highlights the linguistic character of Latin in terms of both the production of utterances and their comprehension through explicit linguistic reflection. Lastly, it draws attention to the importance of the Latin language and the Roman culture for the intellectual and academic training of jurists and lawyers.