LANGUAGE, MEANING-MAKING, AND LEGAL INTERPRETATION: LITERARY AND LEGAL PARALLELS

AUTHOR – SHIVAM DUBEY, STUDENT AT MAHARASHTRA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, NAGPUR

BEST CITATION – SHIVAM DUBEY, LANGUAGE, MEANING-MAKING, AND LEGAL INTERPRETATION: LITERARY AND LEGAL PARALLELS, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 4 (1) OF 2024, PG. 203-212, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

1.1           Abstract

The intersection of literature and law offers a captivating arena where language, interpretation, and meaning converge. This paper explores the symbiotic relationship between language and interpretation in both domains, demonstrating how proficiency in one enriches understanding in the other. In literature, language constructs narratives, evokes emotions, and reflects cultural nuances, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills. Similarly, in law, precise language is crucial for drafting statutes and legal documents, with interpretation being essential for their effective application. the paper examines various aspects within the law and literature movement, including depictions of law and legal professionals in literary works and the interpretation of legal texts using literary analysis techniques. It delves into the nuances of meaning-making in both literature and legal contexts, exploring semantic, contextual, and intended meanings. Parallels between literary and legal interpretation are highlighted, emphasizing shared challenges like ambiguity and subjectivity, alongside distinct methodologies, practical implications for legal practice and literary analysis are discussed, illustrating how insights from one discipline can inform the other. For example, lawyers can use literary analysis techniques to enhance persuasion in legal arguments, while literary scholars can gain new perspectives on justice and morality through an understanding of legal theory. overall, the paper reveals the dynamic interplay between language, meaning-making, and interpretation in literature and law, offering a comprehensive examination of their interconnectedness. By bridging the gap between these disciplines, it provides valuable insights into how language shapes narratives, constructs legal frameworks, and influences societal norms in intricate ways.

Keywords- ambiguity, critical thinking, cultural nuances, interdisciplinary, interpretation, language, legal practice, legal texts, literary analysis, literature, meaning-making, subjectivity, symbiotic relationship.