communication in law. (week 6)

Cassy Rymas

                The language in my field (law) is overwhelming. We even have our own dictionary, Black’s law Dictionary. Through my internship with the prosecutor of Macomb, I picked up on some terminology used. Such terminology consists of prelim (preliminary hearing), cps (child protective services), and a lot of other terms. When you’re in the office or the courtroom, what people say just flows, and makes sense because you know what’s going on. I remember there were a few times when I stopped and thought to myself “hmm that’s an interesting way to say that”. One term that was unique to the building I worked in was floor 4. If you were ever on floor 4, it was important. This referred to the floor which the library was on. This library was enormous, multiple episodes of crime investigation shows have been shot in the library when they’re interviewing lawyers. If you ever needed to go there, it was serious.

The dictionary of my field

                One way I will continue to learn the language of my field is through my boyfriend’s mom. She is a lawyer and works from home a lot. When I am over and she is working, I will hear her on conference calls or I will be sitting next to her and she will explain to me what she’s doing. If I have a question on what anything means, she will explain it to me with no problem. Another way I can continue to learn the language is by having more internships. Being in the field helps you enormously without you even realizing it. You subconsciously pick up on little behaviors and words that have a whole other meaning outside of the office. For example, when you’re in the courtroom, the judges may say he/she calls a recess, this simply means he wants to take a break. Now you say that by someone who’s under the age of ten and they think you want to go play outside. Another example would be when the judge calls forth the counsel, he/she means he/she wants to speak to the attorneys.  Many may be lost when this is said outside the courtroom due to the fact that they don’t understand what counsel is referring to. I know personally the first time I heard it I instantly thought of a counselor.

                There are going to be many challenges within my field, even after I think I’m a pro and got a hold of things. Language isn’t something I’m too worried about because when I had my internship, there were many phrases and terms I picked up on that I can’t even think to be out of the ordinary right now. So, I know as I gain experience in the field, the language will come. I believe that I am going to have to change the terms I use all the time because I will constantly be talking to and interacting with people of all different education levels who will not understand me.  Many of these challenges I am looking forward to, however, some such as the BAR I am not.