EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF LANGUAGE ON FAMILY CONFLICTS AMONG VHAVENḒA FAMILIES

Abstract

Domestic violence remains a persistent challenge to family stability and social cohesion, with significant implications for community well-being and educational development. While much research has focused on physical forms of abuse, limited attention has been given to the role of spoken language as a trigger of domestic conflict. This paper examines how communication patterns influence family conflict among Vhavenḓa households in Vhembe District, with particular attention to social and educational outcomes. Employing a qualitative-dominant mixed-methods design, the paper utilised purposive and snowball sampling to engage twenty participants, including individuals with lived experience of domestic conflict and community members involved in anti-violence initiatives. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews conducted in Tshivenḓa to ensure cultural and linguistic relevance. Thematic analysis revealed that disrespectful, derogatory, and abusive language often precipitates conflict, with women and children disproportionately affected. Silence and ineffective communication exacerbate tensions, while patriarchal norms contribute to the suppression of women’s voices. Importantly, exposure to hostile communication patterns negatively influences children’s emotional well-being and academic performance. Guided by an Afrocentric theoretical framework, the paper highlights culturally grounded interventions, including community-based awareness programmes, school-based life-skills education, and family mediation. The findings underscore the centrality of language as a tool for either conflict escalation or social cohesion, offering practical and culturally sensitive strategies for reducing domestic conflict and supporting educational development.