ABSTRACT
The Chinese language is unique in its writing form and linguistic structure and in the w ay it represents the world. It is part o f the C hinese cultural treasury and civ ilization , a constant and visible link betw een the past and the present, com m unicating and translating m eanings and experiences across tim e and space. T he C hinese w ritten language has always been central to C hinese culture, sym bolizing and transm itting its civilization. By the sam e token, the C hinese language occupies a central place in C hinese law, particularly our understanding o f this law, w hich is a thesis o f the book. Law, w hether in C hinese or other languages, depends on language for its representation. 1 Law is coded in language. It com m unicates and operates in and through language, and C hinese law operates in and through the C hinese language.
