Terminological features of the Chinese legal language

Abstract

In this essay, Chinese legal linguistic features, specifically, the terminological features, are discussed, in terms of the Chinese legislative language. It first outlines the historical and cultural developments and context in which classical Chinese conception of law was situated in traditional China, and the emergence and development of the modern Chinese legal language as a peculiar translated legal language. It then highlights the key terminological features of the modern Chinese legal language and some of its complexities with selected illustrative examples from Chinese legal terminology.