Lawyers across the nation are familiar with the “attorney witness rule” which is embedded in large part in the ethical and professional rules that govern the practice of law. This is a rule that essentially prohibits lawyers from acting as witnesses in the same case he or she is trying on behalf of a client. Like many other legal terms and phrases, this concept is so laden with additional meaning and context, that a brief explanation or use of the term, usually leaves the lay reader with more questions than answers. For this reason, the Center for Applied Linguistics website is an excellent resource for those wanting to understand complicated language and the way language fits into our education system.
As noted on the website of the Center for Applied Linguistics: The Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to improving communication through better understanding of language and culture. CAL is committed to improving the quality of language teaching and learning, enhancing equity in language education, increasing knowledge about language in society, and informing language- and education-related language policy and practices at local, state, and national levels. Since its founding in 1959, CAL has been a leader in language education and language research, publishing numerous publications, conferences and training programs. Research areas include multilingual and multicultural affairs, English as a second language, foreign language, bilingual education, testing and assessment, literacy, language management in the workplace, and language policy formation.
As to whether there is a fundamental conflict between the concept of language and words like the “attorney witness rule,” the work of the Center for Applied Linguistics defies that notion. In short, at least in this context the answer is no. One benefit of gaining a clear understanding of what is meant by the “attorney witness rule” and other complicated phrases, is that it provides a window to see how language is related to any number of other disciplines. In the example of the attorney witness rule, as a litigation attorney, I am deeply impacted by the way terminologies used in law, affect a person’s ability to learn and understand the law. Accordingly, the intersection of the “attorney witness rule” with applied linguistics underscores the value of multi-disciplinary teachings and learning experiences. This in turn translates into more effective and compelling methods of teaching and learning.