Power dynamics of language in legal setting

EXPLORING COURTROOM DISCOURSE: THE LANGUAGE OF POWER AND CONTROL

- QUINTON MTYALA

A NEWLY released, four-part book examines various aspects of the legal system, including the language used by complainants and witnesses, courtroom discourse, legal education, court interpreting, and the process of taking police statements.

These are but some of the subjects covered in Courtroom Discourse: Practical Insights from Legal Linguists, which is edited by Dr Zakeera Docrat, Dr Annelise de Vries, Prof Russell H Kaschula and Dr Paul Svongoro.

In her blurb for the book, Prof Mantoa Motinyane - Deputy Dean of the Arts and Humanities Faculty at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) - described the sixth volume of the Studies in Forensic and Legal Linguistics and Beyond series as a groundbreaking collection which explores the critical role of language in achieving justice, especially in Africa's multilingual and multicultural societies.

Prof Motinyane said the four sections in Courtroom Discourse offered practical insight into the challenges faced by court interpreters and the legislation.

South Africa’s justice system continues to struggle with significant inequalities, despite its constitution recognising 12 official languages. English and Afrikaans frequently dominate, highlighting these disparities.