Memorandum.documents also characterized by the use of passive voice constructions. Passive constructions which are widely used in diplomatic documents allow abstracting from concrete executors and focusing on the actions and the fact of their execution. The following passive voice constructions are used in the memorandum twice:
This Memorandum is not intended to be legally binding ...
... affect the validity or duration of projects under Article 4 of this Memorandum that are initiated prior to such conclusion .diplomatic text is to prescribe legal obligation and duties in an authoritative tone. The modal verb shall expresses the meanings of obligation and permission. When used with a negative element, shall expresses a strong degree of prohibition. The modal verb shall is used in following examples:
Both Participants expect that cooperative activities undertaken pursuant to this Memorandum shall normally be open ...
This Memorandum is not intended to be legally binding upon the participants and shall not be used as the basis for the creation of any legal claims .modal verb may expresses permission and possibility and explains the rights authorized by the law. These modal verbs are not used to illustrate personal opinion or judgment, and to avoid giving the impression of imposition. [14, p. 67]. The modal verb may is used in the following cases:
The Participants may cooperate in the fields of trade-related standards ...
Cooperative activities under this Memorandum may be undertaken in the following priority subject areas ...
Forms of cooperative activities between the Coordinating Agencies may include ...
Other forms of cooperative activities as may be mutually agreed upon.
Activities under this Memorandum may commence as of the date of signature ... combination of the verb should and the infinitive shows a future action, but with a less degree of probability. In this Memorandum we find the modal verb should in the following sentences:
The Coordinating Agencies should, at times mutually established by the Participants, plan and review activities under this Memorandum.
... should be set forth in a subsequent, legally-binding agreement, separate from this Memorandum and the Project Annexes .the syntactical level simple extended sentences prevail:
The Participants may cooperate in the fields of trade-related standards and conformance in accordance with the terms of this Memorandum of Cooperation.
In support of and pursuant to the objectives of this Memorandum, the Coordinating Agencies expect to elaborate the specifications, program tasks, schedules, financial arrangements, work plans, termination arrangements, and other appropriate matters in detailed implementing arrangements for specific projects.
This Memorandum is not intended to be legally binding upon the participants and shall not be used as the basis for the creation of any legal claims .order of words in diplomatic documents is notable for its strictness and conservatism. In this Memorandum we find the following sentenced with direct word order:
The Participants may cooperate in the fields of trade-related ...
Cooperative activities under this Memorandum may be undertaken ...
The Participants designate the ASEAN Consultative Committee for Standards ...
Forms of cooperative activities between the Coordinating Agencies may include ... the memorandum compound sentences are connected with the help of conjunctions as and unless:
Activities under this Memorandum may be performed by the Coordinating Agencies and other appropriate institutions, as determined by the Participants. (compound sentence connected by the conjunction as)
The conclusion of this Memorandum may not, unless otherwise agreed by the Participants, affect the validity or duration of projects under Article 4 of this Memorandum that are initiated prior to such conclusion. (compound sentence connected by the conjunction unless) are connected by means of prepositions such as between,
from, on, in accordance with, under, in support of, during:
... existing between the Participants ...
... from close cooperation in these fields ...
In support of and pursuant to the objectives of this Memorandum ...
... standards and conformance in accordance with the terms of this Memorandum of Cooperation.
Cooperative activities ...
