How Do You Spell LAW FRENCH?

Pronunciation: [lˈɔː fɹˈɛnt͡ʃ] (IPA)

The spelling of the term "law French" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first word, "law," is spelled /lɔː/, with the symbol ɔ representing the back open-mid vowel sound. The second word, "French," is spelled /frɛnʃ/, with the symbol ɛ representing the open-mid front unrounded vowel sound and the symbol ʃ representing the voiceless postalveolar fricative sound. "Law French" refers to the form of French used in legal documents in England from the Norman Conquest in 1066 until the 17th century.

LAW FRENCH Meaning and Definition

1. Law French refers to a form of medieval French used in the legal system of England from the Norman Conquest in 1066 until around the 17th century. It originated from the use of Old Norman in legal proceedings after the conquest and eventually became a distinct variety of the French language. This specialized form of French was used primarily in the courts, legal documents, and in legal literature.

   Law French had a significant influence on the development of legal vocabulary in the English language. Many legal terms and concepts still in use today have their roots in Law French. This includes legal terminology such as "attorney," "jury," "mortgage," and "plaintiff," among others.

   Over time, Law French evolved and diverged from the French spoken in France. It adopted unique spellings, pronunciations, and idioms specific to the legal domain. As a result, Law French became inaccessible to the general population and eventually fell out of use as English gradually replaced it as the dominant language in legal proceedings.

   Although Law French is no longer in active use, its legacy can still be seen in the legal terminology of the English language. It played a crucial role in shaping the legal system of England and its influence can be seen in various legal systems around the world that inherited English common law.

Etymology of LAW FRENCH

The term "Law French" refers to a variety of the French language that was used in the legal system of England from the period of the Norman Conquest (1066) until the late 18th century. Its etymology can be understood as follows:

1. Law: The word "law" originates from the Old English word "lagu" or "laege", which derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*lagan", meaning "to place, lay". It later evolved to refer to rules and regulations established by a governing authority, which is what it signifies in the term "Law French".

2. French: "French" refers to the Latin term "franciscus", meaning "Frankish" or "of the Franks". It signifies the Germanic tribe that inhabited the region of modern-day France.