Linguistics essay 2 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Linguistics 2 - Essay Example he basis for such concepts as ‘melting pot’ and ‘ethnocentricity’, where it was considered possible that all newcomers would blend into the existing society. Bennett (1993) believes that this does not work and that applying one’s own perspective is the source of ongoing conflict everywhere. Empathy, however, approaches communication from a point of ‘difference’ (Bennett 1998, p. 203), acknowledging that everyone is different from the other, from a multitude of angles and that only by acknowledging and valuing this difference, real communication can be achieved. In other words, empathy assumes the perspective of the other. Bennett (1998 p. 209) proposes 6 steps to achieving empathy, including acknowledging that there is difference, based on self-understanding, on temporarily suspending this self and allowing empathy with the other to take place. This can be achieved through what Bennett calls guided imagination an emphatic experience, re-establishing self once the period of empathy has finished. As you have made us aware, you are planning a strike in the near future, with the aim of obtaining an increase in wages. From our initial discussions, we now both are aware that we are different in our approaches to this problem. As you are now aware that the Chinese workers are not favour of this move and we are entering into this correspondence with the aim of arriving at a compromise acceptable to both parties. This may perhaps be more successful, if we understand the reasons for each other’s position. Therefore, we would first like to explain the motivation behind our move to forego higher wages. To begin with, we would like you to understand that, like you, most of the Chinese men working here have left everything behind to follow their dream of a better life for their families in California. While the railroads were being built, employment was good and we did well, but once they were finished, there was little chance that there would be further