Exploring French Language Studies for an Effective Conflict Resolution between Nigeria and her Francophone Neighbours

Abstract

Language particularly the human language has remained the chief means of communication within thevarious human enclaves. It is therefore an indispensable tool that has been explored in various ways byman in order to meet his needs, attain his goals and aspirations as well resolve his conflicts. However,because human languages vary from one social enclave to another, language barrier remains a majorfactor that has hampered effective relations between individuals, communities and nation states. Hence, theneed for language studies cannot be overemphasised. This study therefore seeks to examine ways ofexploring language studies particularly French language for more enhanced relations and effective conflictresolutions between Nigeria and her francophone neighbours considering her geopolitical location. Thus,this paper is explored from the pragmatics perspective to the study of language in order to properlyexamine the subject. The inferential model of the linguistic communication study is specifically adopted.Suggested ways of exploring French Languages studies for an effective conflict resolution between Nigeriaand her francophone neighbours include the reviewing of the Nigerian Education Policy on LanguageStudies by making French language a mandatory subject at all levels in all formal institutions of learningand formation. The restructuring of the French language studies curriculum at various levels to includetopics such as the use of language skills in critical thinking, cross-cultural communication and conflictresolution. This way Nigeria and her francophone neighbours will have an enhanced relations devoid ofsuspicion, thus will be able to resolve conflicts more effectively without any language barrier.