Sociolinguists and lawyers will find insight and relevance in this account of the language of the courtroom, as exemplified in the criminal trial of O.J. Simpson. The trial is examined as the site of linguistic power and persuasion, focusing on the role of language in (re)presenting and (re)constructing the crime. In addition to the trial transcripts, the book draws on Simpson's post-arrest interview, media reports and post-trial interviews with jurors. The result is a unique multi-dimensional insight into the 'Trial of the Century' from a linguistic and discursive perspective.

Autorentext

JANET COTTERILL is Lecturer in Language and Communication, at the Centre for Language and Communication Research at Cardiff University, UK. She is joint editor of Forensic Linguistics: The International Journal of Speech, Language and the Law. She edited the book Language in the Legal Process, published in 2002.

Zusammenfassung
Ex-American footballer, actor and celebrity O J Simpson was indicted in late 1994 on two counts of murder, setting the scene for a real-life courtoom drama which came to be known as 'The Trial of the Century'. The trial lasted nine months, involved more than one hundred and twenty witnesses, and was watched on worldwide television by millions of fascinated viewers. This is the first full linguistic analysis of the trial, drawing on the official trial transcripts, police interviews with Simpson and media coverage of the case. Janet Cotterill analyses the language and discourse of the trial, exploring some of the linguistic strategies employed by the judge, lawyers and witnesses in the (re)construction and (re)presentation of the crimes, their victims and alleged perpetrator.

Inhalt

Acknowledgements List of Figures and Tables Introduction - A Crime Chronology: The Murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman Trial by Jury: Legal Frameworks and Linguistics Consequences Macro-, Micro- and Multiple Narratives: Storytelling in Court Framing Courtroom Narratives Through Strategic Lexicalisation: The Opening Statements Interaction in the Criminal Trial: Participants and Processes, Roles and Relationships Direct and Cross-Examination: Questions and Answers in Court Mind the Gap: Negotiating Power, Knowledge and Status in Expert Witness Testimony 'If it doesn't fit, you must acquit': Reframing the Story through Metaphorical Choice in the Closing Arguments Judging the Jury: The Deliberation, The Verdict and The Aftermath Notes References Index