Topic 2: Cultural mediation and interethnic relations

In its broadest sense ‘to mediate’ means to act as an intermediary in a conflict between parties in order to help bring about agreement. ‘Mediation’ of this kind often occurs in political and industrial disputes, for example, but also in the domestic sphere. In the field of language use ‘mediation’ has come to have a related and equally important meaning, namely to assist people to communicate effectively with one another when they speak different languages, do not understand certain terms or concepts, or when they are dealing with situations or ideas that are new to them.