English with "Better Call Saul"
Some different Law vocabulary...
STREAMING
6/17/20244 min read
What's to be learned in this blog lesson (CONTENTS):
Watching "Better Call Saul" can be an excellent way for English learners to improve their language skills, particularly if they are interested in legal jargon (1), criminal vocabulary, and the nuanced use of language in complex social situations. The show covers topics from law and con artistry to drug cartels and moral dilemmas, giving learners exposure to a rich variety of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. Below, I’ll list some key vocabulary and explain why "Better Call Saul" is useful for English learners- if you want a deeper insight (with more vocabulary, grammar, exercises, video lessons related to this series), sign up for our Newsletter, and receive information regarding our Case Study Books.
Section glossary:
1- legal jargon: jerga legal
nuance: matiz
to cover: (here) tratar, abordar, abarcar, cubrir
The show covers topics: el programa trata temas
con artistry: estafa (arte de la estafa)
The Vocabulary
It's All Good, Man!!!
1. Legal Jargon:
NOUNS:
- Attorney: A lawyer; a person who practices law.
- Defense attorney: The lawyer who represents the defendant and tries to prove their innocence.
- Cross-examination: The questioning of a witness by the opposing side in a court case.
- Objection: A formal protest made by a lawyer during a trial, claiming that the opposing side has violated a rule of law.
- Affidavit: A written statement confirmed by oath, used as evidence in court.
VERBS:
- To sue: To bring a lawsuit against someone in a civil court.
- To acquit: To officially declare someone not guilty of a crime.
- To convict: To find someone guilty of a crime in a court of law.
- To testify: To give evidence as a witness under oath in court.
- To object: To formally express disapproval or disagreement with something during a trial.
ADJECTIVES:
- Guilty: Responsible for committing a crime or offense.
- Innocent: Not guilty of the crime or offense.
- Impartial: Not biased or influenced by personal feelings; fair.
- Liable: Legally responsible for something, usually in a civil case.
2. Crime and Con-Artist Vocabulary:
- Con: A deception or trick; to deceive someone.
- Fraud: Deception intended for personal or financial gain.
- Heist: A robbery, often planned in detail.
- Blackmail: The act of threatening to reveal personal information unless demands are met.
- Bribery: Offering something of value to influence someone's actions.
3. Drug Cartel and Law Enforcement Terms:
- Smuggling: Secretly bringing something into or out of a country illegally.
- DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration): A U.S. federal agency that fights drug trafficking.
- Kingpin: The leader or boss of a criminal organization.
- Surveillance: Close observation, often by law enforcement, of a suspect.
4. Useful Phrases and Sentences:
- "This case is going to trial."
- "I want to make a deal."
- "The charges have been dropped."
- "You're under arrest for fraud."
- "We need to launder the money."
Section glossary:
1. Legal Jargon: Jerga Legal
SUSTANTIVOS:
- Attorney: Abogado
- Defense attorney: Abogado defensor
- Cross-examination: Contrainterrogatorio
- Objection: Objeción
- Affidavit: Declaración jurada
VERBOS:
- To sue: Demandar
- To acquit: Absolver
- To convict: Condenar
- To testify: Testificar
- To object: Objetar
ADJETIVOS:
- Guilty: Culpable
- Innocent: Inocente
- Impartial: Imparcial
- Liable: Responsable (legalmente)
2. Vocabulario de Crimen y Estafadores:
- Con: Engaño, estafa
- Fraud: Fraude
- Heist: Robo
- Blackmail: Chantaje
- Bribery: Soborno
3. Términos de Carteles de Drogas y Aplicación de la Ley:
- Smuggling: Contrabando
- DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration): Administración para el Control de Drogas
- Kingpin: Cabecilla, Capo
- Surveillance: Vigilancia
4. Frases y Oraciones Útiles:
"Este caso irá a juicio."
"Quiero llegar a un acuerdo."
"Los cargos han sido retirados."
"Estás arrestado por fraude."
"Necesitamos lavar el dinero."
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Short Texts About "Better Call Saul"
1. Beginner (A2) Level: Who is Saul?
Saul Goodman is a lawyer. He helps people who are in trouble with the law. He does not always follow (1) the rules, but he is very smart. Saul knows how to make deals to help his clients. He is also a funny character. People like him because he talks fast and finds creative solutions. "Better Call Saul" shows us how Saul became a lawyer and what he did before meeting Walter White in Breaking Bad.
(Beginner) Section glossary:
1. to follow: seguir
to make a deal: hacer un trato, llegar a un acuerdo
2. Intermediate (B1-B2) Level: Breaking Bad Connections
Better Call Saul is a prequel (1) to Breaking Bad, which means it takes place before the events of that show. Saul Goodman is the lawyer for Walter White, the main character in Breaking Bad. In Better Call Saul, we see the early life of Saul, whose real name is Jimmy McGill. He starts out as a small-time lawyer, trying to make a name for himself. Eventually, we see how Jimmy becomes Saul Goodman, a lawyer who represents criminals. This show explains many things from Breaking Bad, like how Saul meets Mike Ehrmantraut and how they both become involved with the drug cartels.
3. Advanced (C1-C2) Level: Key Themes in Better Call Saul
One of the most important themes in Better Call Saul is the moral ambiguity of its characters. Jimmy McGill, who eventually transforms into Saul Goodman, begins as a likable (1), well-meaning person trying to succeed in the legal world. However, as the series progresses, we see how his actions become more unethical. This gradual moral descent is reflected in his personal relationships and career decisions. Another key theme (5) is the idea of identity. Jimmy constantly struggles between his true self and the persona of Saul Goodman, a character he adopts to navigate the harsh realities of the criminal world. The show also explores the consequences of bending the law and the impact of seemingly small choices on a person’s life.
(Intermediate) Section glossary:
1. a prequel: una precuela
a small-time lawyer: un abogado de poca monta
to become: convertirse en
(Advanced) Section glossary:
1. likeable: simpático, agradable
well-meaning: bienintencionado
unethical: sin ética, poco ética, falta de ética
moral descent: descenso moral
5- key theme: tema clave
to struggle: luchar (to make a great effort to overcome difficulties or to fight against challenges. It implies exerting significant effort or facing obstacles in trying to achieve something.)
harsh realities: duras realidades
bending the law: torcer la ley, doblegar la ley, burlar la ley
seemingly: aparentemente