ABSTRACT
To be acclaimed and conferred the title of ''Rational'', one must inhibit as well exhibit the Characteristics of communication ,as this process of communication is between one Man /person with other individuals and creatures as it is not only human that communicate even Animals do, but what differs communication between animals and humans is language.
Language is a distinct means of communication that is organized with structures and features Such as semantic, syntax, morphemes, phonetics, semiotic and others as it differs from various Societies and ethnic group. One of the major attribute of an ethnic group is the language which they use to communicate as some countries have multiple ethnic group which implies diversity of language, how would such a country be united to becoming a Nation. One of the measure God used to disrupt the plan' of the people of Babylon when they attempted to reach the
Heavens by building the tower of Babel, God set commotion amongst them by introducing new Languages this act of God enhanced the disunity that truncated their progress towards the Construction of the building, this shows that language can also cause disintegration in a Nation. This work is aimed at examining the role of language in bringing about unity in a Multilingual/ Multi ethnic Nation like Nigeria as well examine the consequence of our use of Words in different languages and how it can promote peace instead of violence using the Speech Act theory proposed by J.L Austin. The methodology that will be employed in this work to enable proper understanding and comprehension is the Analytic cum evaluative method.
Key words: Language, National Integration, speech act, Unity, Ethnicity and multi-Ethnicity.
