| Abstrak/Abstract |
This study examines how Ambonese artists and writers employlanguage in their works and cognitive processes to address theAmbon conflict and its aftermath. Language, as a social practice,possesses the potential to serve as a tool for conflict de-escalation. The Ambon conflict in Maluku, Indonesia (1999–2002)was triggered by the social impact of language, specificallypolitical provocations that divided the community. During thisperiod, Ambonese youth countered these provocations withalternative language forms, utilising peaceful discourse tomitigate conflict. Using different language, two decades later, inthe post Covid-19 era of 2022–24, young Ambonese aged 18 to30 have once again drawn on language to develop novelapproaches to preserve peace. They employ language as a toolfor maintaining harmony through literary and artistic creations, aswell as in their daily interactions within the Ambonese creativecommunity, which serves as a platform for cultivating peacefulperspectives in Ambon. This study explores the types of languageproduction used for conflict de-escalation, emphasising thecurrent generation’s vulnerability to conflict provocations throughlanguage, particularly via social media. We examine the use oflanguage in de-escalating conflict and preserving peace throughthe creation of artistic communities and mobilisation of traditionand mythic pasts. The theoretical framework employs the socialeffects of language as part of critical discourse analysis, focusingon the cognitive aspects of language use. |
