Naujojo Lietuvos baudžiamojo kodekso kalba

Abstract

The article examines the correctness and style of the language of the new Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania. In the light of the analysis of the lexis of the document, the paper proposes to take out uncommon or unnecessary international words and to define their meanings more precisely, to consider using suitable Lithuanian expressions, and to look for more accurate substitutes for the incorrectly coined concepts. Furthermore, the article discusses the mistakes of word formation, morphology and syntax, and highlights the impact of the incorrectly used forms and cases on the clarity of the text. The paper also elaborates on some flaws of the style and form; e. g., the growing tendency to use verb abstracts, lengthy sequences of genitives, unnecessary repetition, enormously bulky paragraphs consisting of one sentence etc. Finally, the concluding part of the article suggests the ways of improving the language of the Criminal Code, emphasises the urgent need to compile an explanatory dictionary of legal terms, and proposes mobilisation of the relevant specialists for preparation of important and long-lasting documents of the state.