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Legal language is based on ordinary language. Hence, the grammar and most of the vocabulary of legal language are identical to those of ordinary language. On the other hand, legal language is one of the languages for special purposes, as a result of which it has certain characteristics that differ from ordinary language, for example, on the level of syntax and style. Legal language is characterized especially by the use of technical terms, the nature and number of which vary according to the branch of law. This article deals with technical terms of the law from different angles, taking into account various legal cultures and linguistic zones. It discusses the relation between legal vocabulary and legal concepts, polysemy and synonymy in legal terminology, reasons why legal terms are difficult to understand, how legal terms are formed, and legal dictionaries and term banks.

This article examines the value of legal Latin as an instrument of communication between lawyers of different countries. The author asks : Is legal Latin homogenous, and what are the risks of misunderstanding ? In this respect, the opinions presented by comparativists and legal linguists have differed. New light is therefore needed, and this may be shed by empirical studies. Comprehensive studies are lacking for the time being, but a comparison of legal Latin dictionaries published in different countries gives a rough idea of the international value of legal Latin. The results of such a study, described in this article, show that there are clearly visible differences between the major legal families in so far as their usage of legal Latin is concerned. This is especially true for the relationship between Civil Law and Common Law countries. But there also are differences between countries of the same family. At the end of the article, the author puts forward a proposai to compile an international dictionary of legal Latin.

Broader Context 1Europe has always been multilingual, and linguistic zones have not necessarily followed borders between realms. In the course of historical development, this situation has given rise to the problem of the official status of the languages spoken within state boundaries, and that of their translation for official purposes. One of the best examples, relatively close to our time, is the Habsburg Monarchy, known in the final stage

Le texte français préliminaire du présent article, rédigé par l'auteur, a été entièrement révisé par M. Frédéric Nozais, professeur au Centre de langue de l'Université de Helsinki, auquel l'auteur tient à adresser ses plus vifs remerciements. 2 Šarčević 1997 [103] p. 23-28. 3 Fiorelli 1947 [21] p. 293. 92 Il en est ainsi pour la législation du Nouveau-Brunswick et de Manitoba-bien que la législation fédérale, ainsi que celles du Québec et de l'Ontario, aient adopté le terme personne morale. Voir Gémar & Vo 2016 [31], à l'entrée corporation. 93 Nussbaumer 2013 [85] p. 125. 91 Cela estgrosso modo-la signification originaire du terme chez les juristes romains de l'Antiquité (et également, au temps jadis, chez les juristes français).