Christopher Uchenna Agbedo, professor of sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics (linguistic), has identified the misuse and manipulation of language by political actors as one of the major challenges confronting Nigeria.
Agbedo, who stated this while delivering the 255th lecture of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium and Theatre at UNN, warned that the deliberate distortion of words was increasingly being used to conceal corruption, justify abnormalities and promote selfish interests among leaders in Nigeria.
He argued that language, which ordinarily serves as a tool for communication, understanding and accountability, was increasingly being manipulated to achieve personal and political objectives at the expense of the collective interest of the country.
The professor made the observation while responding to questions on the relationship between language and Nigeria’s contemporary political challenges.
According to him, “the deliberate misuse of language has created an environment where corruption and other forms of abnormal behaviour are masked, while unacceptable practices are gradually presented as normal in society.
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“The challenge facing the Nigerian state, in my humble opinion, is the use or misuse of language to achieve certain purposes, most of which are selfish and designed to serve personal interests.
“Language is being manipulated to mask corruption, conceal abnormalities and gradually normalise what ordinarily should be considered unacceptable.”
Agbedo, while proffering solutions, disclosed that he had developed a two-pronged approach to addressing the problem, comprising what he described as a diagnostic sociolinguistic process and remedial sociolinguistic practice.
He said: “The diagnostic component was designed to examine and identify problems associated with the management and use of language, while the remedial component would address the negative effects and consequences of a distorted linguistic environment”.
He further introduced what he called CLAIM (Christopher Agbedo Linguistic Engine), describing it as a linguistic infrastructure designed to analyse spoken or written expressions and generate appropriate meanings.
According to him, CLAIM is expected to process words, phrases, sentences and speeches through relevant linguistic stages before producing interpretations that reflect their appropriate meanings.
He explained that the innovation was conceived as a tool for promoting clarity, accuracy and responsible communication, particularly in a society where the manipulation of words could influence public understanding and political discourse.
Drawing an analogy with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the scholar described Nigeria’s linguistic challenge as Acquired Semantic Distortion Syndrome (ASDS), arguing that the country was suffering from a distortion of meanings through the deliberate manipulation of language.
He said: “CLAIM was developed as a possible remedy to the problem, users could submit words, phrases, sentences or speeches to the linguistic engine for analysis and interpretation.”
The professor of linguistics, however, noted that while the technology could provide the appropriate meaning of expressions, the responsibility for how individuals and citizens choose to use the information would ultimately rest with them.
Responding to a question of how he felt passing the message, Agbedo expressing satisfaction with the development.
He said: “I am fulfilled that I have been able to communicate this message and offer a possible solution to a challenge I considered fundamental to Nigeria’s political and social development.”
He added that what Nigerians eventually made of the message was a different matter, emphasising that the responsibility for promoting responsible language use rested with individuals and society.
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