Language and Communication Conflict in Nigeria: Implications for English Language Pedagogy

Abstract

Nigeria is a multilingual society. In such a potpourri, language conflict is, if not the norm, inevitable. Human communication assumes the presence of language and the presence of language assumes the existence of communication. Communication engenders language and not the other way round. However, communication is the evidence of language in motion, from the sender to the receiver. Where the receiver receives a message that was not intended by the sender, then there is communication conflict. The paper explores the importance of language in Nigeria, and highlights factors that contribute to communication conflict. The paper anchors on the role of the English language teacher in mitigating language-engendered conflict through targeted pedagogy.