LANGUAGE: A SKILLFUL WEAPON IN CONFLICT RESOLUTIONS

Abstract

This study examined language as a skillful weapon in conflict resolution. It established the most effective ways words may be skillfully used to manage and resolve conflicts. It investigates the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of words and the reactions of leaders/mediators and the conflicting parties during conflict resolutions. Selected samples of conflicts for this study include; a physical family conflict, Israel-Palestine Conflict, the Cameroon-Nigerian border conflict and the Malian coup. The main objective therefore is to establish how the choice of words in language use and communication could help in resolving conflict. This study used the hypothesis that verbal strategies used by leaders and mediators defer rather than resolve conflicts, and time is a valuable factor in conflict resolution. Data for this work was collected from magazines, newspapers, internet, and documented proceedings of conflict resolutions. We used context analysis and competent and performance theories. Findings from this study indicate that litigant’s coin and produce words according to their views in order to achieve their desired effects. Findings also show that, certain conflicts cannot be resolved but gradually die down with time and that, the choice of words used by leaders and organizations can either restore or mar peace during conflict resolutions. From the findings above, we recommend that, leaders should study rhetoric, avoid communication that can cause or intensify conflicts, healthy dialogue be used in conflict resolutions, ensure objective consideration of controversial issues, leaders should be upright and corruption free, people should learn to tolerate each other, if all these and more are well implemented, conflicts will greatly reduce in our communities and the world at large.