ABSTRACT
From a linguist's descriptive point of view, all language varieties are equal; value judgements are irrelevant. This phenomenon is perhaps most focused linguistically on accents, especially contrasts between urban and rural accents. Such attitudes may also be directed towards whole dialects and generational language styles. The rush to linguistic judgement or prejudice merges into wider social attitudes directed towards other semiotic phenomena, including clothing styles, behaviour and cultural tastes. Attitudes towards language variation can also contribute to the relative social prestige of a variety, even if perceptions underpinning the attitude in question are based on stereotypes of speakers, places or professions rather than linguistic facts. The chapter examines critical representations of legal language. Around legal language variety – for all its internal variation and substantial change over time – circulates a great deal of criticism, scorn and campaigning for reform. There is also a substantial literature of parody and wider satire.
