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Offering the first comparative study of criminal courtroom discourse in China and the USA, this book explores the interactions that take place within two very different legal systems and cultures.

Focusing on direct and cross examinations, Meizhen Liao analyzes discourse strategies and language patterns at both the micro and macro levels in intrapersonal and interpersonal interactions.

Highlighting the similarities and differences in courtroom discourses between two distinct legal traditions, the author questions and explains the reasons behind them and examines the implications for legal practice and forensic linguistics. Based on accurate and authentic courtroom trial transcripts of representative and important criminal cases, the data is analyzed using an integrated methodology model, the Goal-driven Principle, drawing together insights from speech act theory, discourse analysis, conversation analysis and Complex Adaptive System theory. Through promoting comparative and contrastive approaches across languages and legal systems, this book opens up a new area in the study of forensic linguistics.