Language and De-/Escalation of Conflict in Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract

This article examines the role of language in the de-/escalation of the Aceh conflict. Our analysis is situated at the crossroads of the literature on language and conflict and the literature on the micro-dynamics of violent conflict and everyday peacebuilding. We suggest that language, as a fundamental element of social engagement, although often overlooked in peace and conflict studies, plays a pivotal role in intensifying and alleviating conflicts. Through a case study of the conflict in Aceh, this article asks how power relations, discrimination, and violence are played out through language in the context of micro-level everyday realities. The analysis draws on interviews and focus group discussions conducted from 2014 to 2020 with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including village heads, religious and cultural leaders, businesspeople, civilians, and former combatants. We employ vignettes to illustrate the various ways in which language has been used for conflict de-/escalation in the conflict in Aceh. Our analysis identifies several mechanisms through which language contributes to de-/escalate conflict.