Source and Target Illustration

We will take the following examples which include the “Conflict Resolution is a Common Journey” metaphor and (1) listen for the distinction between Source and Target Domains,
(2) ask questions to clarify entailments of the Source that might transfer to the Target,
(3) extend Source where possible.

	Listen & Distinguish Source and Target Domains in Clients’ Language	Ask Questions to Clarify the Source Domain	Extend Metaphor By Exploring Source Domain
Mom	“We haven’t yet talked through why we really need to divorce now.”	Talk through your history? Talk through your needs? Dig into what you really need? How will we bring them out & see them?	If we dig, best to dig in most useful place. Where must you be to see your history (needs) clearly?
Dad	“If we can’t get down to business today, I’m going to the court for emergency orders.”	Does it seem like things are up in the air? Would going to court mean leaving negotiations behind? Would court be a step closer to where you want eventually to be?	If we get the real needs out where we can see them, maybe then we can stay here and get decisions down on paper.

Note the difference between:

(1) I just want my life to be more normal, and

(2) I just want to get on with my life.

Imagine that each of the following statements occur during a mediation (either a client or mediator statement), and do the following for each statement:

(a) Make a response to each statement that highlights the Source Domain you notice alluded to metaphorically in the statement.

(b) Form a question that explores the Source Domain you believe is present in the statement, or tests your hypothesis about what the Source Domain may be.

(c) Form a statement that extends the Source Domain in a constructive direction.

What steps can you take? (to arrive in a more normal place? To go in your life’s direction?)

Keep in step.

Don’t rock the boat.

Where not heading in the same direction.

My position on the parenting schedule is…

We’ve been back and forth on these issues.

She’s on board now.

When you have gotten that far, where will you go from there?

How will you know when you have gotten to where you finally want to be?

It’s hard to take stock and move on at the same time.

What needs to be put in order first?

Is your life mostly inside your house right now?

Before you actually get underway, while you are finishing up here, will you explore your possible courses of action?

Will you pack everything before you go, or pick up what you need along the way?

What can you carry with you? What will you have to leave behind?

Will you both take the same route? (a similar route? Parallel? Flat, hilly?)

When will your progress depend upon how well the other is doing?

Could you be ambushed? Run into trouble along the way?

Will this be more like a hike, a trip by auto, or a train trip?