Abstract

This paper examines verbal aggression as a precursor to communal conflict in Ụmụeze-Avụrụ and Ụmụ-Mkpoke communities of Ovoko in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. The objectives of the paper are to investigate the reason(s) for the use of verbal aggression by the people of Ụmụ-Mkpoke and Ụmụeze-Avụrụ, and ascertain the effect(s) of verbal aggression on the communities under study. Using purposive sampling technique, data (speech acts) were elicited from participants through oral interview and participant observations. The paper uses a qualitative research design and adopts the descriptive approach in its analysis. Employing verbal aggression theory as the analytical framework, the findings reveal that verbal aggression indeed instigates dissension, enmity and ultimately, physical conflict. The paper also sees frustration, psychopathology, jealousy and disdain as major drives for the use of verbally aggressive speech acts by the people of Ụmụ-Mkpoke while Ụmụeze-Avụrụ was mostly driven by frustration and disdain. Among the effects of verbal aggressive behaviour observed in the area under study are increased level of hostility, distrust and suspicion that have been passed on from generation to generation. The paper concludes by recommending that attempt should be made to understand the source of verbal aggressive speech act, check whether it is just a perceived situation or transfer of aggression, then look for solutions that can palliate it before it escalates

Keywords

verbal aggression, conflict, communal conflict, land