Language, Religion, and Social Cohesion in Northern Nigeria: An Applied Linguistic Perspective

The relationship between language, religion, and social cohesion in northern Nigeria is a matter of considerable contemporary significance, as the intersection of linguistic diversity, religious identity, and political contestation in this region shapes the conditions for both inter-community co-existence and conflict. This dissertation develops an applied linguistic analysis of this relationship, examining how language choices, religious discourse practices, and institutional language policies in northern Nigeria contribute to or detract from social cohesion across religious boundaries. Theoretical development draws on discourse analysis, language policy theory, and social cohesion theory to construct an original analytical framework that specifies the mechanisms through which language can function as a cohesion resource or a cohesion risk in multi-religious societies. The empirical programme involves four interconnected studies: a sociolinguistic survey of language attitudes across religious groups in four northern states; discourse analysis of sixty sermons and religious address texts from Christian and Muslim religious leaders; analysis of language choices and discourse practices in three inter-faith dialogue initiatives; and ethnographic observation at six community institutions where Christians and Muslims regularly interact, including markets, hospitals, and schools. Findings from the survey study document that shared Hausa language competence is associated with stronger cross-religious social trust scores, a finding with direct policy implications for language-in-education planning in northern Nigeria. Sermon discourse analysis reveals both shared rhetorical conventions that provide common communicative ground and distinct epistemic authority constructions that locate religious difference in discourse. The dissertation's policy contribution proposes a Language for Social Cohesion strategic framework for northern Nigeria. Keywords: language and religion, social cohesion, northern Nigeria, discourse analysis, applied linguistics.