Afterword

Abstract

As noted in the introductory chapter, this collection of chapters provides candid and in-depth analyses of the relationship between discourse and conflict—how language use may promote conflict and also how it is possible to avoid or mitigate conflict through tactical use of language. As we reflect on the causes of conflict, especially those identified in this book, hate speech readily comes to mind. Hate speech is defined as the use of language or any speech that denigrates people on the basis of their nationality, ethnicity, race, religion or gender (Gagliardone et al. 2015). However, the term “speech” has been extended to include any expression in the form of writing, images, cartoons, songs or plays that reflect hate, prejudice and intolerance for targeted persons on the basis of their membership of a national or demographic group (see Chiluwa et al. 2020). Although the study of hate speech is not new especially regarding its roles in past regional conflicts and wars such as the Rwandan war and genocide, there appears to be a resurgence of interest and research around the meaning, scope, practices and implications of hate speech in the last few years. For example, a special issue of Pragmatics and Society (Vol. 11, no. 2, 2020), edited by Fabienne H. Baider, Sharon Millar and Stavros Assimakopoulos, is devoted to Hate Speech: Definitions, interpretations and practices.