Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/ Zeszyty Naukowe Wyżs...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
Zeszyty Naukowe Wyższej Szkoły Bankowej w Poznaniu
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
Data sources: Crossref
addClaim

Simplifying the Complex: Nominalisation and Passivisation in Legal (Sub)language and Plain English

Authors: Rafał Matusiak;

Simplifying the Complex: Nominalisation and Passivisation in Legal (Sub)language and Plain English

Abstract

This article investigates the roles of nominalisation and passivisation within the domain of legal sublanguage, particularly concerning their effects on clarity and interpretative accuracy. Grounded in linguistic frameworks established by Comrie, Thompson, and Lyons, the research elucidates how nominalisation enhances formality and consistency. Conversely, passivisation facilitates a shift in focus from the agent to the action, promoting objectivity. The study examines the prevalence and functional evolution of these linguistic features through a corpus-based analysis of UK Public General Acts from 2003, 2013, and 2023. The findings reveal that while nominalisation and passivisation contribute to precision and neutrality, their excessive application risks diminishing readability for non-specialist audiences. This analysis emphasises the necessity of balancing technical specificity with comprehensibility in legal discourse, aligning with the objectives of the Plain English movement to foster more transparent legal communication.

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    1
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
1
Average
Average
Average
gold