Dynamic evolution of legal terminology: processes of derivation, compounding and semantic change

This article explores the dynamic nature of legal terminology, emphasizing that it evolves faster than the general lexicon due to extralinguistic factors and the need for legal systems to adapt to social changes. The creation of new legal terms is driven by the necessity to harmonize legislation with international standards, leading to continuous updates and transformations in legal language. Key word-building processes such as derivation, compounding, and calque are examined, highlighting their role in the development of specialized legal terms. The article also discusses semantic narrowing and broadening, which refine or expand legal concepts to enhance clarity and applicability in judicial contexts. Additionally, it addresses the phenomenon of reterminologizing and determinologizing, which reflects the dynamic interplay between specialized and general vocabulary in legal discourse.