Civil Society and Legal Culture: Shaping Legal Consciousness Through Semantic Signs
摘要
The formation of legal consciousness is fundamental to the development of a robust legal culture within civil society. This paper investigates the semiotic dimensions of legal acculturation, focusing on the role of semantic signs—linguistic expressions, visual symbols, and cultural codes—in transmitting legal meanings. Drawing upon theories of legal semiotics, this interdisciplinary study explores how various semiotic mechanisms shape legal awareness through educational, institutional, and media-based communication. Using both qualitative analysis and comparative examples, including data from Uzbekistan and Western legal systems, the article demonstrates how symbolic representations of law influence public understanding of justice, authority, and rights. The findings highlight the necessity of integrating semiotic tools into civic education and legal outreach strategies to enhance public legal literacy. The study contributes to ongoing scholarly dialogue on the intersection of law, language, and society by offering a novel perspective on how signs construct legal meaning and identity in the public sphere.