Language, man’s intrinsic possession for communication can be properly utilized for the upliftment of the human person and the betterment of society. This is because the linguistic norm of every society contributes immensely to the development or destruction of an individual’s character or that of society. Leech in enumerating the functions of language sees one of them as directive. This aims at influencing the behaviours and decisions of others. The phatic function maintains and cements social bonds. If language plays these all-important roles towards man and his society, care should therefore be taken in crafting it to enable it achieve its desired purpose. The system of communication is the media which could be print or electronic. Social communication can also be through non-verbal means as exemplified in sign language, body movements, gesticulations etc. We are in a global age where information can easily be communicated within a flash. Also, the youths who by themselves are society’s future hope are constantly in the media in their quest for new information. In view of these challenges, it has become apparent that constant check and care is taken in language appropriations of a given society. This paper highlights the interface between the media and communication and how this could lead to the destruction or upliftment of man in society. The paper takes a look at what information people in the Nigeria society especially the youths are being fed with and shall ascertain the positive and negative values associated with such information. Given the foregoing therefore, this paper looks at the theories of language and communication and how they bear on the overall outlook of this work. The paper suggests ways through which communication can better society and man generally.
Media, communication, society, man and language.
