COVID-19 INDUCED HATE SPEECH AND AUSTIN’S SPEECH ACT THEORY PERSPECTIVE: IMPLICATIONS FOR PEACE BUILDING

Abstract

Hate speech has become a matter of grave concern globally. It has continued to generate defamatory and stereotypical language which has perverted various platforms of information dissemination especially the social media. As the world is currently battling the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of information on it is being disseminated via online platforms. Based on the COVID-19 „ infodemic‟ a lot of hate speech has emerged and language use has come to be at the centre of it all. Such use, from the Speech Act Theory perspective, elicits actions and reactions which most times are detrimental to people‟s harmonious existence. Using Austin‟s and Culpeper‟s models of Speech Act and Impoliteness Theory, respectively, this study analysed various data on COVID-19 related information shared on the social media to determine the level of toxicity of language use, and the effect on peace building amongst nations, Nigeria inclusive. Amongst other findings, this paper discovered that communications on the social media, in reaction to COVID-19 issues are laden with hate speeches which have given rise to instances of violence, unrest, stigmatization and racism against the target people. It recommends, amongst other things, that all social media/online platforms should put in place strict guidelines for users, in its fight against hate speech. It also advocates the inclusion of language and communication arts as a course of study in the tertiary education curriculum.