Contract as a Type of Institutional Text: a Linguistic Analysis Based on Russian Language Material

The article is devoted to a linguistic analysis of various types of contract texts – including employment, state, international, and business contracts – with the aim of identifying factors that influence the accuracy and effectiveness of interpreting contractual obligations. The study examines lexical, syntactic, and morphological features of texts functioning within the framework of business discourse. The linguistic analysis was conducted at different levels of the language system: lexemes, stable terminological expressions, grammatical structures (including modal and passive forms), and typical syntactic patterns characteristic of contractual discourse were considered. It was established that, despite the presence of common features (clichéd expressions, terminological density, formalized syntax) each contract type exhibits specific variable characteristics that reflect the particularities of the professional and legal domain in which it operates. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the comparative analysis of contracts with different institutional functions based on a unified methodological framework, with the identification of both invariant and differentiating linguistic features. The results of the study demonstrate that the structure and linguistic design of contracts are determined not only by the stylistic features of business communication but also by the pragmatic objectives of the parties, as reflected in the contractual provisions. The findings can be applied in applied legal linguistics, in the drafting and adaptation of contract documents, as well as in educational settings – particularly in the training of professionals in the field of business and legal communication.

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