Courtroom Discourse Analysis In The Perspective Of Context

Courtroom discourse, a carrier of courtroom trial, embodying the legislation and the status of courtroom trial participants, should be studied more in China. However, much attention has been paid by few scholars except Professor Liao Meizhen, who has been focusing on statistical analysis of questioning distribution in courtroom. In this paper, the author intends to explore a fresh field, analyzing courtroom discourse in the perspective of context theories, from both static and cognitive aspects.This research, combing with context theories, aims to analyze Chinese courtroom trial discourse, which reflects functions and statuses of courtroom participants and litigation strategy, in order to give suggestions promoting Chinese legislation with figuring out some problems existing in Chinese courtroom trials.The development of context theories can be divided into two stages, static and cognitive context. Therefore, before courtroom discourse is analyzed, static context theories are reviewed, and then conclusions are reached. Then, this research proceeds to explore relevant theories of cognitive context. In this chapter, cognitive context models are generalized and used to analyze courtroom discourse, through which, conclusions are received.In summary, this research has made the following contributions to the analysis of courtroom discourse. Primarily, through analyzing courtroom discourse with context theories, a new ground is broken in fields of the both. Secondly, the link between courtroom discourse and cognitive linguistics is strengthened. Thirdly, through the analysis, the author of the present study has found that in courtroom discourse, especially in criminal court, statuses of the prosecutor and the defendant are unequal; and suggestions are given to such phenomenons to promote the improvement of the discourse of law.