Cognition, Language, and Law: Introspective Reflections on How we Learn, Teach, and Understand Law Across Languages and Legal Systems

Abstract

I was invited to write this article to reflect upon my cognitive experience as a lawyer and
academic with some proficiency in English and Spanish and with training in both the Common
Law and the Civil law legal systems.1 This article incorporates reflections on the intrinsic
relationship between law and language and the cognitive process of learning, teaching, and
understanding law across different languages and legal systems –– with particular focus on
the legal constructs ‘constitution’ and ‘corporation’ –– based on my academic and
professional trajectory. Considering the nature of this invitation and the purpose of this issue,
I consider it appropriate to first provide the reader with a summary of my academic and
professional background to contextualise the reflections that follow.