Language in conflict: Linguistics in mediation

This chapter tells the story of – and critically reflects on - our progress to date in applying linguistics to conflict and its mediation. It begins by outlining our original motivation for this project, the identifying of a lacuna in the world of conflict/peace studies which linguistics can fill, and the theoretical approach underpinning our activities aimed at filling it. It then briefly describes the three main strands of our activities: the website which serves as a meeting place and resource for practitioners; research case studies; and our workshops for mediators. The last of these is described in more detail in the following two sections, first showing examples of what linguistic concepts and methodologies can offer, then discussing the practical exigencies of conducting this kind of activity and the major hurdle to be jumped (i.e. access to genuine mediation data) in order to develop our work with mediators further. The chapter concludes by stepping back and critically reflecting on our progress and experience to date in the context of the wider impact agenda, particularly its British incarnation in the form of the REF, where it is found there are stresses and strains which can distract us from our original aim.