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VOL. 11, ISSUE 4 (2026)
The lawyer’s discourse in the courtroom: A contrastive analysis in English and Arabic – A forensic linguistics perspective
Authors
Ofurun Michael Mahori Onguta
Abstract
This study addresses a research gap in comparative forensic linguistics by systematically examining only the distinctive features of spoken courtroom discourse used by English-speaking and Arabic-speaking lawyers during trial proceedings. The analysis deliberately excludes non-verbal and written communication and focuses exclusively on oral exchanges between lawyers in courtroom settings. Eight trials were randomly selected; four in English and four in Arabic, encompassing a total of sixteen lawyers. Using a constructed analytical model and SPSS, the study identifies key linguistic characteristics unique to each language, as well as major similarities and differences between them. By focusing on spoken interactions between lawyers during live trials, the research offers targeted insights for comparative legal discourse analysis.
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Pages:40-47
How to cite this article:
Ofurun Michael Mahori Onguta "The lawyer’s discourse in the courtroom: A contrastive analysis in English and Arabic – A forensic linguistics perspective". International Journal of Academic Research and Development, Vol 11, Issue 4, 2026, Pages 40-47

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The lawyer’s discourse in the courtroom: A contrastive analysis in English and Arabic – A forensic linguistics perspective | International Journal of Academic Research and Development