Silence can be a powerful tool for communication and social transformation, according to the Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Prof. Okechukwu Onuchuku.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 International Conference of the Pragmatics Association of Nigeria (PrAN) in Port Harcourt, the Vice Chancellor, represented by Prof. Kingdom Orji, encouraged scholars to explore how silence can be positively used to promote social change and build a progressive society.
The conference, themed “The Pragmatics of Silence,” brought together academics and researchers from fields including linguistics, communication, diplomacy and stylistics. Speakers highlighted the role of silence in communication, noting that it can carry different meanings across cultures and social settings.
Participants also discussed the value of silence in reflection, understanding and effective communication. Organisers say the conference provides an important platform for examining how silence shapes human interaction and society.
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