Forensic Linguistics in Literature and Science - 7 March 2026
Abstract
Forensic Linguistics in Literature and Science explores the evolving dialogue
between textual interpretation and scientific investigation. Traditionally
rooted in literary stylistics, discourse analysis, and rhetoric, the study of
language has moved beyond aesthetic appreciation into the realm of
empirical validation and evidentiary scrutiny. This paper examines how
analytical tools once confined to literary criticism now function as scientific
instruments in criminal and civil investigations. Concepts such as idiolect,
narrative structure, lexical patterning, and pragmatic intent are
recontextualized within forensic frameworks to determine authorship,
detect deception, interpret legal meaning, and evaluate disputed
communication. Drawing upon landmark case analyses and advances in
corpus linguistics, stylometry, and forensic phonetics, the discussion
demonstrates how linguistic patterns operate as measurable evidence rather
than subjective impressions. The session highlights the methodological rigor,
admissibility standards, and interdisciplinary significance of forensic
linguistics, positioning it as a bridge discipline that unites literature, law, and
science in the pursuit of truth.