Garcia2013a
Garcia2013a | |
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BibType | ARTICLE |
Key | Garcia2013a |
Author(s) | Angela Cora Garcia |
Title | Mediation Talk in Cross Cultural Perspective: The Contribution of Conversation Analysis |
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Tag(s) | EMCA, Mediation, Intercultural communication, Conversation Analysis, language difference, translation, dispute resolution |
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Year | 2013 |
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Journal | China Media Research |
Volume | 9 |
Number | 4 |
Pages | 85–101 |
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Abstract
In this paper, I review the literature on language and cultural difference in order to show how culture can affect the communicative process in situations of conflict and in conflict resolution procedures such as mediation. Achieving and maintaining intersubjective understanding is more challenging in situations of conflict and in conflict resolution procedures, such as mediation, which depend on face-to-face interaction between the participants. Language and cultural differences that exist in all interactions are made more centrally relevant by conflict. The paper will demonstrate how conversation analysis can contribute to the understanding of cultural difference in mediation by providing the means to investigate how participants achieve and maintain intersubjectivity and repair failures of understanding when they occur. I will show that there is a paradox in mediation as it is often practiced, with the same interactional procedures that succeed in minimizing arguing also partially disabling the mechanisms for repair of misunderstandings. The discussion section addresses potential innovations in the organization mediation sessions so that both of these important functions can be accomplished.
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