PRAGMATIC DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF RELIGIOUS LANGUAGES FOR PEACE BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA

The role of religious languages in promoting peace and supporting sustainable democracy cannot be over-emphasised. However, the language-specific strategies used by religious leaders to foster peace or democracy in the previous scholarships require a versatile discourse. This study pragmatically ex...

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Main Authors: ESTHER OLASUMBO OYEBANJO, PETER ADELAJA OYEBANJO
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Federal University Wukari 2025-06-01
Series:International Studies Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://wissjournals.com.ng/index.php/wiss/article/view/659
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author ESTHER OLASUMBO OYEBANJO
PETER ADELAJA OYEBANJO
author_facet ESTHER OLASUMBO OYEBANJO
PETER ADELAJA OYEBANJO
author_sort ESTHER OLASUMBO OYEBANJO
collection DOAJ
description The role of religious languages in promoting peace and supporting sustainable democracy cannot be over-emphasised. However, the language-specific strategies used by religious leaders to foster peace or democracy in the previous scholarships require a versatile discourse. This study pragmatically examined the influence of religious languages and their influences on the promotion of peace and sustainable democracy in Nigeria, with the view to providing insight into the potential of religious discourse as a tool for peace building and democratic stability within this context. This research employed a pragmatic discourse analysis approach and data were sourced from sermons, speeches, and public messages, focusing on speech acts, contextual implications, and intended meanings to better understand how religious language influences public perceptions. Religious languages often promote tolerance, forgiveness, and mutual respect, essential values for peace building in a pluralistic society. Religious leaders employ inclusive language, appeals to common values, and narratives emphasising social harmony to encourage peaceful coexistence. However, there are instances where religious messages, particularly those with political overtones or ambiguous wording, unintentionally reinforce divisions or fuel social tensions. As a result, there is the dual nature of religious discourse: its potential to either support or undermine democratic values and social unity. Therefore, it is imperative that religious leaders and policymakers collaborate to establish guidelines for effective religious communication that aligns with democratic ideals and peace-building objectives.
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spelling doaj-art-d6696aa226524b58a2ffbfd2b3187ed02025-08-20T03:41:18ZengFederal University WukariInternational Studies Journal2756-46492025-06-0193PRAGMATIC DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF RELIGIOUS LANGUAGES FOR PEACE BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIAESTHER OLASUMBO OYEBANJO0PETER ADELAJA OYEBANJO1DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, FACULTY OF HUMANITIES, AJAYI CROWTHER UNIVERSITY, OYO, NIGERIADEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES, FACULTY OF HUMANITIES, AJAYI CROWTHER UNIVERSITY, OYO, NIGERIA The role of religious languages in promoting peace and supporting sustainable democracy cannot be over-emphasised. However, the language-specific strategies used by religious leaders to foster peace or democracy in the previous scholarships require a versatile discourse. This study pragmatically examined the influence of religious languages and their influences on the promotion of peace and sustainable democracy in Nigeria, with the view to providing insight into the potential of religious discourse as a tool for peace building and democratic stability within this context. This research employed a pragmatic discourse analysis approach and data were sourced from sermons, speeches, and public messages, focusing on speech acts, contextual implications, and intended meanings to better understand how religious language influences public perceptions. Religious languages often promote tolerance, forgiveness, and mutual respect, essential values for peace building in a pluralistic society. Religious leaders employ inclusive language, appeals to common values, and narratives emphasising social harmony to encourage peaceful coexistence. However, there are instances where religious messages, particularly those with political overtones or ambiguous wording, unintentionally reinforce divisions or fuel social tensions. As a result, there is the dual nature of religious discourse: its potential to either support or undermine democratic values and social unity. Therefore, it is imperative that religious leaders and policymakers collaborate to establish guidelines for effective religious communication that aligns with democratic ideals and peace-building objectives. https://wissjournals.com.ng/index.php/wiss/article/view/659Religious LanguagePeace BuildingPeace BuildingDiscourse Analysis
spellingShingle ESTHER OLASUMBO OYEBANJO
PETER ADELAJA OYEBANJO
PRAGMATIC DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF RELIGIOUS LANGUAGES FOR PEACE BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA
International Studies Journal
Religious Language
Peace Building
Peace BuildingDiscourse Analysis
title PRAGMATIC DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF RELIGIOUS LANGUAGES FOR PEACE BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA
title_full PRAGMATIC DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF RELIGIOUS LANGUAGES FOR PEACE BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA
title_fullStr PRAGMATIC DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF RELIGIOUS LANGUAGES FOR PEACE BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA
title_full_unstemmed PRAGMATIC DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF RELIGIOUS LANGUAGES FOR PEACE BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA
title_short PRAGMATIC DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF RELIGIOUS LANGUAGES FOR PEACE BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA
title_sort pragmatic discourse analysis of religious languages for peace building and sustainable democracy in nigeria
topic Religious Language
Peace Building
Peace BuildingDiscourse Analysis
url https://wissjournals.com.ng/index.php/wiss/article/view/659
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