The Napoleonic Code and Polish Legal Terminology in the 19th Century

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss the terminological influence of the Napoleonic Code on Polish legal terminology. Five major theses are formulated and supported by selected examples from two 19th century translations of the Code into Polish. We claim that, firstly, the Napoleonic Code had a major impact on the Polonisation of Polish legal lexis in the 19th century, and secondly, that where Polish legal language bears evidence of the influence of the adaptation of the Napoleonic law it is in structural calques from French and not in an increase of French borrowings in the Polish legal language; moreover, we provide evidence that the Napoleonic Code led to the redefinition of previously used terms in the Polish legal system, and finally, that it had a crucial impact on the systematisation of Polish legal terminology in the 19th century leading to its more contemporary character, closer to modern demands. The study contributes to a broader comparative analysis of the role of the Code in the history of shaping and transforming the terminological systems across national languages.