Mathematics (and therefore statistics) is a language, albeit less complex than natural languages. Its main functions in scientific research have been twofold: first, to enhance the capacity of the researcher to handle logical complexity; and second, as a means to represent explicitly and accurately, the phenomena under study. These two functions are often interlinked, with the second being a necessary but not always sufficient condition for the fulfilment of the first. This paper is concerned mainly with the problem of constructing formal models that correspond to the researcher's own hypotheses, which are often formulated in natural-language statements. This problem may be summarized by saying that traditional statistical models in the behavioural sciences have not properly operationalized commonly used modifiers, conjunctions and predicates. In the move from qualitative to quantitative language, conventional techniques frequently distort or entirely lose certain meanings. This problem is discussed in detail, after which approaches to its solution are outlined and illustrated with empirical examples. The first requirement is a conceptual basis for discussing translations between mathematical and natural languages. I have chosen a simple partsof-speech approach which links certain common mathematical operators with their natural-language counterparts. These links are, of course, only approximate, but sufficiently accurate for the purposes of this presentation. (1) Nouns and v
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Language in this paper is understood as a system of signs of various physical nature, which serves cognitive and communicative functions in human thinking. Languages are formed naturally or created by man artificially for certain purposes. The graphic language as a class belongs to artificial language systems. Graphic language in law is not a unique phenomenon. The system of state symbols studied by heraldry is a variety of the graphical language, just as traffic signs and other signs in transport — water, sea, air, rail, pipeline. The military have a system of symbols of their own such as grade and branch insignia. Industrial signs and designs (for radiation, high tension, magnetic fields) is another example. This paper will attempt to disclose the concept of graphic language and to justify its role in law. The functions of the graphics language and the main types of schemes are considered. The main stages of the schematization process are shown. The author's point of view on the ratio of schematization and visualization, graphic concept and grapheme is expressed. Specific examples are used to demonstrate the possibilities of multi-layered visuals as one of the most promising contemporary varieties of schematization. According to the author, artificial intelligence and natural intelligence are complementary and should interact and mutually develop — co-develop. It means that not only machines should master various functions of human thinking but man equally needs to learn fr
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Articles
Keywords
legal language, graphic language, graphic language functions, types of schematiza-
tion, visualization .
For citation: Isakov V .B . (2022) Graphic Language in Law . Legal Issues in the Digital
Age, vol . 3, no . 3, pp . 47–67 . DOI:10 .17323/2713-2749 .2022 .3 .47 .67
Background
The study of legal language 1 has always been considered a promising
strand both in linguistics and jurisprudence which has noticeably gained in
relevance over the last few years as artificial intelligence rapidly progressed
in all spheres of life including law. Like many other academics, jurists need
a language to communicate with AI systems to solve specific problems
through their help.
We believe that AI and human intelligence are complementary and
should interact and develop each other (co-develop). This means that,
while machines are to learn from man and master different functions of
human thinking, man also has to learn from machines in certain cases in
order to at least understand the language and logic of artificial intelligence.
In our opinion, the graphic language — the one of drawings, diagrams and
charts — could bridge the gap between AI and human intelligence as it is
fairly abstract and formalized while at the same time adequate to human
thinking as we know it. From this point of view, the development and use
of graphic language in law like in other arts and humanities hold an obvi-
ous promise.
A language means a system of symbols of various physical nature serv-
ing a cognitive and communicative function in process of human activities.
Languages emerge naturally or are created artificially for purposes. Hence,
natural ethnic and artificial languages such as formal, computer, sign lan-
guage etc. can be distinguished. The graphic language as a class belongs to
artificial language systems.
1 As used in this paper, the term “law” covers not only legal provisions but also other
realities of law such as legal relationships, jurisprudence, education, legal awareness, legal
culture.
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V.B. Isakov. Graphic Language in Law. Р. 47–67
study, make the related knowledge systemic and suggest new creative ideas
to those who seek them. Multi-layered schematization could be used to
make complex ontological, methodological and organizational charts.
Meanwhile, multi-layered visualization should not be viewed as a “magic
wand”: while allowing to systematize and make spectacular presentations
of the available knowledge, it is by no means a substitute for an in-depth
research or analytical study.
Conclusion
The author of that paper has developed and offered for practical use
the graphic language Grafento 1 designed to solve analytical tasks in the
domain of law. This manual contains graphemes (graphic language signs)
and their meaning in the tabulated form. Number 1 means that what is
proposed is the initial tentative version of the graphic language.
The Grafento 1 relies on the language of methodological schemes cre-
ated by G. Schedrovitsky and his followers. A number of graphemes were
borrowed from A.L. Y emelianov’s article “The Language of schematized
images” [Y emelianov A.L., 2001: 414–459]. Graphic languages of this type
can be used in legal research and legal education, as well as in the develop-
ment of legal info charts, visualizations and presentations of various pur -
pose.
The next step was the development of the Dictionary of Legal Ana-
lytical Graphics, a more advanced version of the graphic language in law
which includes not only the “alphabet” but also graphic sentences, phrases,
graphic descriptions and arguments. The Dictionary has samples of legal
analytical schematizations of various purpose, some of which were created
by students of the Legal Analytics course.
Finally, album “Legal Analytics in Definitions, Maps and Charts” can be
regarded as the third step of advancing graphic language in the field of law.
Its electronic version is available in the stock of HSE publications. Album
brings together 200 of the most demanded schematizations in the field of
legal analytics and the theory of state and law.
Like natural languages, the graphic language has a multitude of styles
and sub-styles which, like its morphology and syntax, are not discussed
in this paper. Those who are interested in this particular aspect may refer
to William Bowman’s remarkable book “Graphic Communication” [Bow-
Everything we examined (2)
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