This work investigates the linguistic mechanisms and communicative strategies that constitute the legal definition of perjury within courtroom testimony. Roger W. Shuy, a prominent figure in the field of forensic linguistics, utilizes his extensive experience as an expert witness to analyze how specific speech patterns, evasive answers, and semantic ambiguities are interpreted by legal professionals. The book argues that perjury is not merely a matter of factual inaccuracy but is deeply rooted in the linguistic construction of truth and deception under oath.

Experts in forensic linguistics recognize this text as a foundational resource for understanding the intersection of language and legal accountability. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous framework for analyzing complex verbal interactions in high-stakes environments.