ACCENT, DIALECT, AND VOCABULARY IN THE REFLECTIVE PROCESS: A QUESTION OF ETHICS.

In this article the authors reflect on the impact of differences in accent, dialect, and vocabulary in a family meeting that occurred in a family therapy training clinic. Some ways in which these linguistic factors may provoke social distancing between participants and impede the development of meaning between therapist, family, and reflecting team are examined. Because language is constructive of our personal and social worlds, dilemmas associated with these aspects of communication are framed as ethical in nature. Some tentative implications for a relationally responsive ethical practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]