Metaphoricity in Conflict Resolution: A Study of Sacrilege by Nnenna Ihebom

Abstract

Conflict arises when there is a disagreement between the parties involved. It is a situation where two or more independent parties are characterized by perceived differences, and these parties involved treat this situation as negative. Many times, conflicts result in negative emotional states and various degrees of violence. Conflict management is the hub of any sustaining organization laced with personal, cultural and social development of individual person, in Nigeria and African society as a whole. It defuses any strong emotional outburst which triggered the conflict situation, and also proffers solution for resolution. This paper looks at the textual metafunction of some metaphors used in conflict resolution, in Nnenna Ihebom’s Sacriledge. Accommodation theory, with special recourse to convergence and divergence strategies, highlights inclusivity and therefore, helps in achieving the expected peace. Results show that metaphorical use of language influences the cognitive consciousness of the individual person or group involved in the conflict. Thus, this engenders peace and coexistence among the dissenting parties.