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David · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:59 am Post subject: Liberian English

Many African slaves were sent back to Africa in the early 1800s by abolitionists, mainly to the American colony of Liberia. Apparently from the onset they have been rather detached form the aboriginal tribes there. They have also preserved their language, English.

My question is are any of y'all familiar with their dialect? Is it anything like the dialect spoken by blacks in the U.S?

Elaine · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:34 pm Post subject:

What an interesting question. Liberian English had never ever crossed my mind, so you piqued my curiosity.

According to wikipedia (which I always hesitate to reference), there are four distinct varieties of Liberian English: Standard Liberian English, Liberian Settler English, Kru Pidgin English, and Vernacular Liberian English.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberian_English

This person here describes on his blog a specific kind of dialect of Liberian English, which, in writing sounds like something you'd here on the bayous of Louisiana.

David · Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 5:33 am Post subject:

Thanks, Elaine! Wish I could find some audio examples, though.

Pikkewyn · Novice Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

It could be something like the Sierra Leone creole (Crio, I think it is called). A Liberian I met sounded rather 'American'. Is there a continuum of accents between these places, the Carribean and the Deep South?

Bashar · Expert Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 59

I only know about it from volume 3 of "Accents of English" (JC Wells) which I think is out of print now. All I can remember right now from it is that it sounds American with a "generally Southern flavour" and that Liberians are the only Africans who can pronounce "hit" and "heat" differently. I don't think I've ever heard it spoken before though.