Languages and conflicts resolution mechanisms in West Africa

A conflict is a disagreement or an opposition through which the parties involved perceive threats to their needs, interests or concerns (Dictionary, Our Family, 1999). However to regulate it, most of African countries particularly those from West-Africa neglect their cultural heritage for modern methods. That consists in signatures of agreements here and there very often ended by failure. As a paradox, West-Africa is rich of mechanisms for conflicts resolution. The most prominent of which is verbal play with ethnic alliances and joking relationships. These cultural patrimonies were practiced by our ancestors and have still important roles to play for peace and solidarity consolidation in the social network. I can add to joking relationships, democracy as a modern mechanism based on justice, freedom, and sharing. It gets the same characteristics than verbal play. The whole are set up by languages for their practices through communication inter communities.

Autorentext

Tra Silvere studied at Bouake University in Cote d'Ivoire. He is finalising his PhD degree in English Department, Sociolinguistics option. He is teaching English in Grammar Schools in Abidjan.