This study discusses language endangerment/shift in periods (and as cause) of violent ethnic conflicts in developing countries and its complex reversal as conflict management agent, mitigating ethnic minorities' fear of domination. The examples of the Benue, Plateau and Taraba States, situated in Middle Belt Nigeria (involving the Afizere, Anaguta, Berom, Etulo, Hausa, Jukun, Kuteb, Taroh, and Tiv ethnic groups) reveal this fact.