ABSTRACT
A linguistically sensitive practice is one informed by a sound understanding of the social, psychological, political and sociological significance of language and linguistic variation. It is based upon a developed awareness of the complex role that language plays in constructing and communicating culture, identity and power. Regrettably, language is a dimension of social difference that is frequently ignored or underplayed in the education of health and social care professions (Kornbeck 2001). This chapter provides an introduction to the subject, a more detailed exposition can be found in Pugh (1996, 2003a).
