APQ - APPON PHILOSOPHICAL QUARTERLY

Language plays a crucial role in conflict scenarios and peace processes all over the world. The use of language is both functional and dysfunctional in all social contexts. Language is therefore a double-edged sword and its ambivalence nature is reflected in its capacity and usage to either cause/prevent conflict or restore/maintain peace. This paper adopted criticalanalytical method to examine the dynamic role of language in the promotion of peace through con?ict prevention strategies among the indigenous Yoruba of Southwest Nigeria. The article assessed the interconnectivity between language and the perception of conflict as a reality in the light of Sapir-Whorf relativity hypothesis. It further explored the value-laden mechanisms for conflict prevention, which is dependent on the mastery of indigenous language, and hinged it on the pre-eminence of the Yoruba ethical concept of iwa rere (good character) that exudes other moral values for virtuous living, conflict prevention and social harmony in Yoruba religio-philosophical thoughts. The article concluded that there is an urgent need for cultural renaissance and revitalization of our ethical values for possible experience and enjoyment of pre-colonial social order in morally chaotic contemporary Yoruba societies.

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