Language is the Norm that Pervades All Law

You probably have a vague idea that when you enter university, foreign language study is required in your first and second years. Of course, that's not wrong. In the Faculty of Law, students choose and study two languages from a selection of seven: English, German, French, Chinese, Spanish, Russian, and Korean. Many students choose English and one other language, but some choose two languages other than English. But let's think about it again. Why do we study foreign languages in the Faculty of Law? Is it for globalization? Is it for traveling abroad? Is it to gain an advantage in job hunting?

Language defines the thoughts and actions of its users. For example, the expression for 'to go pick someone up' is 'pick up' in English. In French, which I teach, it is common to use the verb 'chercher.' A direct translation of 'pick up' into Japanese is 'to pick up' or 'to pluck up.' 'Chercher' means 'to look for.' English expresses the act of picking someone up as an act of 'picking up,' while French expresses it as an act of 'looking for,' even though the act itself is the same. In other words, the way the same act is expressed differs by language. You might say, 'Isn't that obvious?' But this difference in how things are perceived through language gives rise to ways of thinking different from our own and defines our actions. Furthermore, this foreign entity, language, is the very norm of that country's unique legal system and political thought. Foreign language study at university may ultimately be useful for studying abroad or finding a job, but it is actually a foundational learning experience for understanding different legal systems, political ideologies, societies, and cultures by experiencing different ways of thinking. At first glance, it may not seem directly connected to specialized classes, but acquiring a language is what cultivates a legal sensibility. For this reason, the Faculty of Law offers various levels of classes to meet your needs, such as an intensive course that meets four times a week for students who wish to study a foreign language in depth. There are also distinctive classes called Area and Culture Studies, which are linked to each language. So, let's start cultivating a legal sensibility together from April.