ABSTRACT
In relating language to the matter of conflict in ecological context there is an obligation on the author in determining, in an applied manner, the means of transcending the inimical effects of conflict on linguistic vitality. It should be emphasised that one is not seeking to delineate a universal model which may be applied to all situations of language in conflict, for as has been pointed out elsewhere (Nelde et al., 1992: 389) no such model could be reasonably brought into existence. Rather, it is intended to indi-cate a framework, or a set of procedures, which enable the prevention, management and resolution of conflict with specific reference to language interests. At this point in the study, therefore, it is necessary to draw from the work of practitioners in the field of conflict prevention, management and resolution. Work in this field is characteristically policy-driven and may be usefully described as applied research. This work is geared towards meeting the practical needs of the full spectrum of end-users at local, regional, national and international levels. This might include, for example, project staff in the field, heads of mission, managers of NGOs, ambassadors, programme administrators, politicians and policy-makers. As Fitzduff notes, these end-users, in contrast to the academic research community, operate in an environment in which the focus is upon generating policy options and local capacity building. Policy-makers in particular require ‘clear summaries of finding[s], findings which are free of methodological caveats, and unambiguous conclusions’ (Fitzduff, 2000: 5). This chapter in particular, therefore, comprises an attempt to ‘mediate’ (Fitzduff, 2000: 5) the research encompassed in this study with a view to meeting the demands of such end-users.
