Assessing the Import of Conflict-Induced Expressions Among Igbo Speech Communities
Keywords:
Language, conflict, hate-induced words, speech communityAbstract
Language is instrumental and central to human peace and existence. It is a tool of human development and destruction. Its social, cultural, and educational intentions have been effectively harnessed in Nigeria, with its unifying and dividing import yet to be brought to the fore. The objective of the study therefore, is to evaluate the form of Igbo language expressions that can incite conflict and threaten the unity of a society or community, and the consequences of incendiary statements on communal living especially at this period of communal and geographical inequilibrium and volatility. It further examined the expressions that can be utilized to resolve conflicts thereby assessing the import of language to the peaceful existence of a community. Data were generated through a questionnaire structured to elicit opinions of one hundred (100) adult respondents randomly drawn from Abia and Imo States on how language has been used to stir up strife in their areas. Data were annotated through simple percentage. Results revealed how some communal crises that would have been averted were fueled by the use of some conflict and hate-induced expressions. Recommendations were made to shun the choice of conflict-induced expressions for the interest of peaceful existence among community dwellers.
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