Forensic Linguistics in Australia: Origins, Progress and Prospects

Forensic linguistics in Australia has evolved since 1959, with early work in the 1970s-1980s, the discipline's definition in the 1990s, and into the current era. It is structured in linguistic, interactional, and sociocultural contexts and concludes by highlighting mutual engagement between forensic linguistic practitioners and the judiciary and legal scholars.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 22 June 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Forensic linguistics in Australia has a rich history, dating back to the first expert linguistic evidence in 1959. Since then, the field has evolved significantly, with early work in the 1970s-1980s, the definition of the discipline in the 1990s, and its continued development into the present era. This Element provides an account of forensic linguistics in Australia, exploring its evolution, misconceptions, and problematic ideologies in the law.

The authors of the Element begin by addressing some widespread misconceptions about language that impact the field of forensic linguistics. These misconceptions include the idea that language is innate, that all languages are equal, and that language is a static entity. These ideologies are problematic because they fail to recognize the dynamic and complex nature of language, which is influenced by various factors such as social context, cultural background, and individual experience.

The authors then turn to examine the problematic ideologies in the law that underlie much of the discussion in forensic linguistics. These ideologies include the belief that language is a reliable indicator of truth, the idea that language can be used to determine intent, and the idea that language can be used to identify individuals. These ideologies are problematic because they are often based on assumptions that are not supported by empirical evidence and can lead to inaccurate conclusions.

The report of forensic linguists' work is structured in terms of the linguistic, interactional, and sociocultural contexts of the language data being analyzed. Whether in expert evidence, research, or practical applications of linguistics in a range of legal settings, the authors emphasize the importance of considering these contexts to ensure accurate and reliable analysis.

The Element concludes by highlighting the mutual engagement between forensic linguistic practitioners and both the judiciary and legal scholars. The authors argue that this engagement is essential for the development of forensic linguistics as a discipline and for the improvement of legal systems. They outline some of the key factors that support a critical forensic linguistics approach in much of the work in their country, such as the importance of transparency, independence, and objectivity in the analysis of language data.

In conclusion, forensic linguistics in Australia has a rich history and has evolved significantly over the years. The field has faced numerous challenges and misconceptions, but it has also made significant contributions to the legal system. By considering the linguistic, interactional, and sociocultural contexts of language data, forensic linguistic practitioners can provide accurate and reliable evidence to the judiciary and legal scholars. The mutual engagement between forensic linguistic practitioners and the judiciary and legal scholars is essential for the development of forensic linguistics as a discipline and for the improvement of legal systems.

Weight: 162g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009168106