For a country like Nigeria, security is so difficult to achieve. Terrorism, inter-tribal war, inter-religious war and so on have been the order of the day. Language is, however, a tool that unite human beings thereby having impact on the national security which involves both the State and the citizens.
Language determines relationship thereby creating a heart of defense for the people involved. Having a good relationship helps in pouring out your mind to that defendant whenever you are threatened, not only to closed ones but also to security officers.
Therefore, learning of other languages apart from the native ones will bring about a good and better relationship starting from the home to the society at large.
Nevertheless, the context at which language could be used varies, it could be based on words said. As quoted by Bamgbose (2022), Mark asserts that:
Each of you possesses the most powerful, dangerous and subversive trait that natural selection has ever devised... I am talking about your language, of course, because it allows you to implant a thought from your mind directly into someonee else’s mind, and they can attempt to do the same to you. (TedGloba, 2011)
From this assertion, it is crystal that there is power in what one says and shows that language is political in its nature, it holds power on whom is been spoken to, and it can kindle (re)action from the recipient.
An analysis of president Buhari’s speech in his presidential campaign in 2015 shows what effect language has on the security of the nation:
God willing, by 2015, something will happen. They either conduct a free fair election or they go a very disgraceful way. If what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon will all be soaked in blood.
This shows an impression and awareness of violence and fear, a threat to the nation’s security just through the speech. Therefore, every individual should be careful of the diction used at all times.
Reference
Ganiu, Bamgbose. (2022). The place of language in national security. https://www.google.com/amp/s/businessday.ng/amp/columnist/article/the-place-of-language-in-national-security/.
Okeke, Fidelia Azuka, (2012). Language Can: National Security through Effective Use of Language https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249025167_Language_Planning_and_Questions_of_National_Security_An_Overview_of_Planning_Approaches/link/5518dd380cf2d70ee27b74eb/download.Vol. 6 (4).
© Rhoada Akinyemi and Joshua Oladebo
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