Clean Language and Symbolic Modelling*
Clean Language and Symbolic Modelling make it possible to create models of a client’s experience while minimising the intrusion of the facilitator.
Clean Language was developed by David Grove and consists of questions that contain as few assumptions as possible.
Clean Language, metaphor and modelling form the heart of Symbolic Modelling, which was developed by Penny Tompkins and James Lawley.
How to use Clean Language
When we use the word ‘symbol’ below, we mean it in the sense used in Symbolic Modelling. Symbolic Modelling works with maps, which it calls the ‘metaphor landscape’. Elements on the map are referred to as ‘symbols’ and can be anything from a word, a feeling or a concept, through to a full-blown metaphor.
Clean Language Questions
Attributes
The attribute questions ask the client to develop the form of the symbol by exploring its attributes, characteristics or functions.
Is there anything else about x?
Cl: I want to live in a house in the sun
Fac: Is there anything else about that sun?
What kind of x?
Cl: I want to live in a house in the sun
Fac: What kind of house is that house?
Location
This question asks the client to consider where the symbol is in perceptual space, that is, where they have stored the representation. It is often used in a sequence of two or three repetitions to pinpoint the symbol.
Where/whereabouts?
Cl: I want to live in a house in the sun
Fac: Where is a house in the sun?
Cl: Oh, in Spain
Fac: Whereabouts in Spain?
Cl: In the south, in Andalucia
Relationship
Since there will be more than one symbol in a metaphor landscape, it is useful to be able to model the relationship between these symbols and how they affect each other etc.
Is there a relationship between?
Cl: I want to live in a house in the sun
Fac: Is there a relationship between the house and the sun?
Cl: Yes, it needs to be a house that faces south
Time and Sequence
All events take place in time and space. These questions ask the client to pay attention to the before and after of an event or symbol. They are particularly useful for modelling a sequence or a pattern of repeated behaviour.
What happens just before?
Cl: I want to live in a house in the sun
Fac: …what happens just before you live in a house in the sun?
Cl: I need to buy the house
Fac: …what happens just before you buy the house?
Cl: I have to sell the house I have now
Then what happens?
Cl: I want to live in a house in the sun
Fac: … and when you live in a house in the sun, then what happens?
Cl: I am more contented with life
Fac: … and when you are more contented, then what happens?
Cl: Then I have more time for others
Asking the questions
There are three steps in asking Clean Language questions.
Cl: I want to live in a house in the sun
1. Acknowledge what the client has said by repeating
Fac: And you want to live in a house in the sun…
2. Direct their attention to a part of what they said
Fac: … and when a house in the sun…
3. Ask a Clean Language question about that part
Fac: …is there anything else about that house?
So the Facilitator’s response will be:
Fac: And you want to live in a house in the sun… and when a house in the sun…there anything else about that house?
Notes
*When you tell others about this work, we request that you credit David Grove for his work in devising Clean Language and Penny Tompkins and James Lawley for Symbolic Modelling. See Penny and James’ website www.cleanlanguage.co.uk for many articles on this and related subjects, and for details of their book, “Metaphors in Mind” which is the definitive guide to Clean Language and Symbolic Modelling. We are indebted to Penny and James for their great generosity in supporting our learning and development. They are an inspiration and a model for us both.
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