法律語言之歧義及模糊性

Abstract

本論文中，我經由一件國際法爭端及國內親屬法的條文，探討其所使用字詞包含的語言歧義及模糊性，目的在於豎立一套有利於法學界適用的法律解釋語言學。\n首先，我敘述我的研究目的和方法，第二部分先定義何謂法律的模糊性與歧義性，接著討論並列舉幾種常見的法律文本，下來回顧法律解釋的起源及目的，以及法學家為了解釋法律使用的文義解釋及其他輔助方法，第三部份提出幾種有助於分析語言歧義與模糊性的語言學觀點。第四部分探討WTO架構下2007年美國與中國有關進口進口視聽服務，雙方對於多邊協議中兩個名詞(recording, distribution) 的解釋，第五部分我從語言學觀點分析中國進口視聽服務案件所涉及兩個普通名詞的歧義性，兼談兩方送交爭端小組有關中國境內法規的英文翻譯之模糊性，第五部份蒐集實務判決結果，探討台灣民法親屬篇第1055條之1有關ru04離婚時未成年子女監護權「子女最佳利益 」的解釋，及同條文衡量子女最佳利益考慮因素第七項「不同族群的傳統、文化及價值觀」的措辭問題。\nWTO上訴機構當初如果考慮這種語言學觀點，可能會得到不同的見解。在涉及未成年監護權的家庭案件中，除了藉助於源自西方國家的法律解釋方法，從語言學觀點檢視相關條文的措詞有助對法律條文的理解，努力達到一般法律文本要求的精確原則，也能對修法及擬定條文解釋的指導方針等有所幫助。

In this thesis, I present two case studies and address the issue of interpreting ambiguous meaning and vagueness in the law. In a globalized society of dramatic transformations, these ambiguous and vague expressions should be brought up and examined closely so as to establish a linguistic framework for statutory interpretation to be applied by jurists tasked with interpreting such ambiguous words and vague phrases.\nThis study is organized into five parts. In the first part, I state the research purpose and methods. In the second part, I first define “vagueness” and “ambiguity” in the law, then exemplify the main textual types of the law, which require precision in the wording to prevent difference in legal effects. Next, I investigate the origin and purpose of statutory interpretation, and lastly review how jurists apply textualism and supplementary methods to interpret meaning. In the third part, I present several linguistic theories which can be applicable to determining the meaning of ambiguous or vague terms in a legal context. The fourth part is devoted to the interpretation of the key words “recording” and “distribution” as well as translated business measures submitted by both parties in WTO Dispute Settlement Case 363 regarding the importation of audiovisual materials from the USA to China. In the fifth part, I investigate how the key phrase “the best interests of the child” in Article 1055-1 has been interpreted in recent judgements made by the Kaohsiung Juvenile and Family Court, as well as the extent to which the phrase “traditions, culture, and values of different ethnic groups” has been taken into consideration by the Family Court. \nThe WTO Appellate Body might have gained numerous insights had they considered such a linguistic approach. In litigation cases involving child custody rights, re-examination of the wording of a statutory text from the linguistic viewpoint can enhance one’s understanding of its meaning. The results demonstrate that in addition to traditional interpretive canons devised and introduced from the West in the past century, a linguistic approach provides a valuable perspective for interpreting legal language, helps to ensure that the wording of a legal discourse meets the requirement of precision in the law, and can be fruitfully applied when making revisions of statutory texts in the future.