Laura Estévez Guapo

Inglés B4, grupo C

03/04/2020

EXAMPLE OF A LEGAL TEXT

This text is a document signed by the president of that moment, George Washington and it
reflects the creation of the constitution of the U.S. In 1787. It addresses to the constitution, the
reason why this text is a type of civil law specifically tort law, because the content of the text is
applied in civil proceedings.
This letter present several features from legal language since it is an example of legal text.
One of the most important ones is the characteristic of being a vague text because the
language employed is a type of formal language plenty of difficult vocabulary (ratification,
commencing, sole) and characterised by the use of numerous technicisms (Convention of
Delegates, Legislature, Congress, electors, Election, etc.) and archaisms (thereof).
In addition, the syntax is quite complex because it is characterised by the use of several
subordinate sentences (“that the preceding...”; “that as soon as...”; “that after...”; etc.), the use
 Laura Estévez Guapo
Inglés B4, grupo C
03/04/2020

of passive constructions (be submitted, chosen, fixed, signed, dealed, etc.), an impersonal
construction (resolved) and nominalizations (ratification, assent). Moreover the use of long
sentences (the text is composed by three sentences of fifty word each approximately)
increase the level of vagueness even more.