Why Learn Legal Terms in Sinhala?
Legal language is often complex and filled with jargon that can be challenging to understand, especially when it comes to another language. Sinhala, being one of the official languages of Sri Lanka, is widely used in courts, government documents, and legal agreements. Mastering legal terms in Sinhala can:
- Enhance your comprehension of legal documents
- Facilitate smoother communication with legal professionals
- Support your studies if you are pursuing law in Sri Lanka
- Help you participate confidently in official matters
Common Legal Terms in Sinhala
Here is a list of essential legal terms in Sinhala along with their English meanings:
| Sinhala Term | English Translation |
|---|---|
| නීතිය (Neethiya) | Law |
| අධිකරණය (Adhikaranya) | Court |
| තීන්දුව (Theenduwa) | Judgment / Verdict |
| පැමිණිල්ල (Peminilla) | Complaint |
| ප්රතිචාරකයා (Prathicharakaya) | Defendant |
| පැමිණිලිකරු (Peminilikaru) | Plaintiff |
| අවාසි (Awaasi) | Penalty |
| අයිතිය (Ayithiya) | Right (legal right) |
| කොන්ත්රාත්තුව (Kontrattuwa) | Contract |
| සාක්ෂි (Saakshi) | Evidence |
| විනිශ්චය (Vinischaya) | Decision / Ruling |
| නීතිඥයා (Neethignaya) | Lawyer / Attorney |
| ඔප්පු (Oppu) | Document |
| අධිකරණ සභාව (Adhikarana Sabhawa) | Bench (of judges) |
| අපීලය (Apilaya) | Appeal |
| ධිවරය (Dhivaraya) | Witness |
Understanding Context and Usage
Legal terms can have specific meanings that differ from their everyday usage. For instance, “අයිතිය” (Ayithiya) means “right” in a legal context, such as property rights or human rights. Similarly, “ඔප්පු” (Oppu) is commonly used for official documents, not just any paper. When learning these terms, it’s crucial to understand their context within legal proceedings or documents.
Examples of Legal Terms in Sentences
- ඔහු අධිකරණයට පැමිණිල්ලක් ඉදිරිපත් කළා. (Ohu adhikaranayata peminillak idiripath kala.) – He filed a complaint at the court.
- අධිකරණය තීන්දුව ලබා දුන්නා. (Adhikaranya theenduwa laba dunna.) – The court delivered the verdict.
- ඔහුගේ නීතිඥයා ඔප්පු ඉදිරිපත් කළා. (Ohugé neethignaya oppu idiripath kala.) – His lawyer submitted the documents.
How to Learn Legal Sinhala Terms Effectively
If you are serious about learning legal Sinhala, try the following strategies:
- Use Language Apps: Platforms like Talkpal offer AI-powered language learning tools that can help you practice vocabulary in context.
- Read Bilingual Legal Documents: Comparing Sinhala documents with their English versions can help you understand usage and meaning.
- Watch Court Proceedings: Observing real-life usage on Sri Lankan news or court broadcasts can help reinforce terms.
- Practice with Native Speakers: Engage with lawyers or students in Sri Lanka to improve your understanding.
Conclusion
Familiarity with legal terms in Sinhala is a valuable skill, whether for academic, professional, or personal reasons. By incorporating these terms into your vocabulary and understanding their proper usage, you can confidently engage with legal matters in Sri Lanka. Continue your learning journey with resources like Talkpal to master not only legal Sinhala but also everyday conversational skills.
