Liberia

Summary

Official Name: Republic of Liberia
Population: 5,058,000
Principal Languages: English
Literacy Rate: 48% (2018 UNESCO)
International Conventions: ACHPR (1987), CDE (1960), ICCPR (1966), UNCRPD (2006), UNDRIP (2007)
General References: Bendor-Samuel and Hartell 1989, Hancock 1974a, Vanderaa 1991
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Liberia is 31. All are living languages. Of these, 27 are indigenous and 4 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 2 are institutional, 18 are developing, 8 are vigorous, 2 are in trouble, and 1 is dying. Also listed are 3 unestablished languages and 2 macrolanguages.

Languages

Akan aka: Users: 95,400 in Liberia (2020). 56,100 Fante, 39,300 Ashanti. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Nyo, Potou-Tano, Tano, Central, Akan
Bandi bza: Gbarpolu county: Belleh district; Lofa county. Users: 149,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 161,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Bande, Gbande, Gbandi, Gbunde Autonym: Bandí Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Southwestern, Mende-Loma, Mende-Bandi, Bandi
Bassa bsq: Bong, Grand Bassa, and Montserrado counties; Margibi county: coastal areas and Gibi district inland; River Cess county: west. Users: 733,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 741,500. Status: 5* (Developing). Autonym: Ɓǎsɔ́ɔ̀ Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Bassa
Dan dnj: Nimba county. Users: 268,000 in Liberia (2020). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Da, Dàn, Dã̀ã̀, Gio, Gio-Dan, Guio, Gyo, Yacouba, Yakuba Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Eastern, Southeastern, Guro-Tura, Tura-Dan-Mano, Tura-Dan
Dewoin dee: Bomi county: coast between Lofa and Saint Paul rivers; Montserrado county: near coast. Users: 17,100 (2020). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: De, Dei, Dewoi, Dey Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Bassa
English eng: Users: 60,000 in Liberia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: 1 (National). De facto national language. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
Éwé ewe: Users: 3,560 in Liberia (2020). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Gbe
Gbii ggb: Nimba county: west of Cestos river. Users: 11,800 (2020). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Gbee, Gbi-Dowlu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Bassa
Glaro-Twabo glr: Grand Gedeh and River Gee counties; border with Cote d’Ivoire. Users: 8,230 in Liberia (2020). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Wee, Guere-Krahn
Glio-Oubi oub: Grand Gedeh county: 6 towns. Users: 7,390 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 9,890. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Glio, Oubi, Ubi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Grebo, Glio-Oubi
Gola gol: Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, and Lofa counties: between Mano and Saint Paul rivers; Bomi and Montserrado counties: inland. Users: 177,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 192,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Southern, Mel, Gola
Grebo grb: Users: Population total all languages (L1 only): 562,100. Status:
Grebo, Barclayville gry: Grand Kru county: southeast coast and inland. Users: 50,000 (2020). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Wedebo Grebo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Grebo, Liberian
Grebo, Central grv: Grand Kru and River Gee counties; Maryland county: central Barrobo district. Users: 56,100 (2020). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Grebo, Liberian
Grebo, Gboloo gec: Maryland county: east border, north of Jabo Grebo. Users: 119,000 (2020). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Gblou Grebo, Gboloo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Grebo, Liberian
Grebo, Northern gbo: Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Maryland, River Gee, and Sinoe counties; near Cote d’Ivoire border. Users: 150,000 (2020). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Grebo Autonym: Klépo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Grebo, Liberian
Grebo, Southern grj: Grand Kru and Maryland counties: southeast coast and inland. Users: 116,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 187,000. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Grebo, Liberian
Kisi, Southern kss: Lofa county: extreme northwest corner. Users: 205,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 336,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Gisi, Gizi, Kissi, Kissien, kìsìéí Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Southern, Mel, Bullom-Kissi, Kissi
Klao klu: Grand Kru, River Cess, and Sinoe counties: southeast Atlantic coast and inland. Users: 388,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 402,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Klaoh, Klau, Kroo, Kru Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Klao
Kpelle kpe: Users: Population total all languages (L1 only): 1,364,000. Status:
Kpelle, Liberia xpe: Widespread. Users: 867,000 (2020). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Gbese, Kpele, Kpese, Kpwessi, Pessa, Pessy Autonym: Kpɛlɛwoo Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Southwestern, Kpelle
Krahn, Eastern kqo: Grand Gedeh county: 2 areas along middle Cavally river; River Gee and Sinoe counties; Côte d’Ivoire border area. Users: 99,200 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 109,800. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Eastern Kran, Konobo-Eastern Krahn, Kran Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Wee, Konobo
Krahn, Western krw: Grand Gedeh county: near Côte d’Ivoire border; Nimba and Sinoe counties. Users: 101,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 113,200. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Krahn, Kran, Northern Krahn, Western Kran Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Wee, Guere-Krahn
Krumen, Tepo ted: River Gee county: Cote d’Ivoire border area. Glawlo dialect is southeast. Users: 5,610 in Liberia (2020). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Kroumen, Kru, Krumen, Southern Krumen, Tepowin Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Grebo, Ivorian
Kuwaa blh: Gbarpolu county: Belleh and Bokomo districts; Lofa county: Zorzor district. Users: 27,000 (2020). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Belle, Belleh, Kowaao, Kwaa Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Kuwaa
Liberian English lir: Widespread. Users: 5,113,000, all users. L1 users: 113,000 (2015). L2 users: 5,000,000 (2021 J. Sheppard). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Brought to Liberia in 1822 by first group of black American emigrants who settled in Providence island, now Monrovia. Trade language and used in informal contexts. Gained usage with 5 varieties and spread throughout Liberia in the 19th century. Alternate Names: Colocwa, Kolokwa, Koloqua, Liberian Kolokwa English, Liberian Kreyol, Liberian Pidgin English Classification: Pidgin, English based, Atlantic
Loma lom: Gbarpolu county: Belleh district; Lofa county. Users: 299,000 (2020). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Loghoma, Logoma, Looma, Lorma, Toa, “Bouze” (pej.), “Busy” (pej.), “Buzi” (pej.) Autonym: Löghömàgòòi, Löömàgòòi Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Southwestern, Mende-Loma, Loma
Maan mev: Bong, Grand Bassa, and Nimba counties. Users: 341,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 427,900. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Máá, Maa, Mah, Mann, Mano, Manon, Mawe Autonym: Mã́ã́ Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Eastern, Southeastern, Guro-Tura, Tura-Dan-Mano, Mano
Maninka, Konyanka mku: Lofa county: bordering Guinea. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Konya, Konyakakan, Konyanka, Maninya Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-East, Southeastern Manding
Maninkakan, Eastern emk: Users: 71,300 in Liberia (2020). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-East, Southeastern Manding
Manya mzj: Lofa county: bordering Guinea. Users: 95,800 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 120,800. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Mandingo, Maninya, Manya Kan, “Toma Maninya” (pej.), “Tuu Kɔlɔ Maninya” (pej.) Autonym: Maninyakan Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-East, Southeastern Manding
Mende men: Grand Cape Mount county: Porkpa district; Lofa county: Vahun district. Sierra Leone border area. Users: 41,600 in Liberia (2020). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Boumpe, Hulo, Mɛnde, Mɛnde yia, “Kossa” (pej.), “Kosso” (pej.) Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Southwestern, Mende-Loma, Mende-Bandi, Mende-Loko
N’ko nqo: Scattered. Users: No known L1 speakers in Liberia. Ethnic population: No ethnic community. Status: 9 (Second language only). Classification: Mixed language
Sapo krn: Grand Gedeh and Sinoe counties; River Gee county: small border area. Users: 66,700 (2020). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Sarpo, Southern Krahn Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Wee, Guere-Krahn
Tajuasohn tja: Sinoe county: north of Greenville. Users: 20,000 (2020). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Tajuason, Tajuoso, Tajuosohn Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Western, Klao
Vai vai: Bomi county: southwest coast; Grand Cape Mount county: coast and inland. Users: 189,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 212,200. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Gallinas, Gallines, Vei, Vy Autonym: ꕙꔤ‎ (Vai) Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Vai-Kono

Languages by Status

1 (National)

English

[eng] 1 (National). De facto national language. 60,000 in Liberia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

3 (Wider communication)

Liberian English

[lir] 3 (Wider communication). Brought to Liberia in 1822 by first group of black American emigrants who settled in Providence island, now Monrovia. Trade language and used in informal contexts. Gained usage with 5 varieties and spread throughout Liberia in the 19th century. 5,113,000, all users. L1 users: 113,000 (2015). L2 users: 5,000,000 (2021 J. Sheppard).

4 (Educational)

Kpelle, Liberia

[xpe] 4 (Educational). 867,000 (2020).

5 (Dispersed)

Mende

[men] 5* (Dispersed). 41,600 in Liberia (2020).

5 (Developing)

Bandi

[bza] 5* (Developing). 149,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 161,000.

Bassa

[bsq] 5* (Developing). 733,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 741,500.

Dan

[dnj] 5* (Developing). 268,000 in Liberia (2020).

Gola

[gol] 5* (Developing). 177,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 192,000.

Grebo, Northern

[gbo] 5* (Developing). 150,000 (2020).

Kisi, Southern

[kss] 5* (Developing). 205,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 336,000.

Klao

[klu] 5* (Developing). 388,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 402,000.

Krahn, Eastern

[kqo] 5* (Developing). 99,200 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 109,800.

Krahn, Western

[krw] 5* (Developing). 101,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 113,200.

Krumen, Tepo

[ted] 5* (Developing). 5,610 in Liberia (2020).

Kuwaa

[blh] 5* (Developing). 27,000 (2020).

Loma

[lom] 5* (Developing). 299,000 (2020).

Maan

[mev] 5* (Developing). 341,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 427,900.

Manya

[mzj] 5* (Developing). 95,800 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 120,800.

Sapo

[krn] 5* (Developing). 66,700 (2020).

Vai

[vai] 5* (Developing). 189,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 212,200.

6a (Vigorous)

Dewoin

[dee] 6a* (Vigorous). 17,100 (2020).

Gbii

[ggb] 6a* (Vigorous). 11,800 (2020).

Grebo, Barclayville

[gry] 6a* (Vigorous). 50,000 (2020).

Grebo, Central

[grv] 6a* (Vigorous). 56,100 (2020).

Grebo, Gboloo

[gec] 6a* (Vigorous). 119,000 (2020).

Grebo, Southern

[grj] 6a* (Vigorous). 116,000 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 187,000.

Maninka, Konyanka

[mku] 6a* (Vigorous).

Tajuasohn

[tja] 6a* (Vigorous). 20,000 (2020).

6b (Threatened)

Glaro-Twabo

[glr] 6b* (Threatened). 8,230 in Liberia (2020).

Glio-Oubi

[oub] 6b* (Threatened). 7,390 in Liberia (2020). Total users in all countries: 9,890.

Unestablished

Akan

[aka] Unestablished. 95,400 in Liberia (2020). 56,100 Fante, 39,300 Ashanti.

Éwé

[ewe] Unestablished. 3,560 in Liberia (2020).

Maninkakan, Eastern

[emk] Unestablished. 71,300 in Liberia (2020).

Maps

Liberia

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Liberia with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Liberia is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of vitality. The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level.
The vitality levels and the color coding of the bars match the scheme used in the guide on How many languages are endangered? In this scheme, the levels and colors are as follows:
- Dark green = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Light green = Stable (EGIDS 5-6a) — The language is not being sustained by formal institutions, but It is still the norm in the home and community that all children learn and use the language.
- Red = Endangered (EGIDS 6b-9) — It is no longer the norm that children learn and use this language.
These three summary levels have been derived by grouping levels in the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS), which is the more fine-grained scale that Ethnologue uses to assess the status of every language in terms of development versus endangerment; see the Language Status page for a description of the levels of that scale. See also the pages on Development and Endangerment for more discussion.
Language Status Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Liberia with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Liberia is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of development or endangerment as measured on the EGIDS scale. (See the pages on Development and Endangerment for a fuller explanation.) The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level. Consult the Status listings for Liberia in order to see the specific languages for each level.
The color coding of the bars matches the color scheme used in the summary profile graphs on the navigation maps for the site. In this scheme, the EGIDS levels are grouped as follows:
- Purple = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Blue = Developing (EGIDS 5) — The language is in vigorous use, with literature in a standardized form being used by some though this is not yet widespread or sustainable.
- Green = Vigorous (EGIDS 6a) — The language is unstandardized and in vigorous use among all generations.
- Yellow = In trouble (EGIDS 6b-7) — Intergenerational transmission is in the process of being broken, but the child-bearing generation can still use the language so it is possible that revitalization efforts could restore transmission of the language in the home.
- Red = Dying (EGIDS 8a-9) — The only fluent users (if any) are older than child-bearing age, so it is too late to restore natural intergenerational transmission through the home; a mechanism outside the home would need to be developed.
- Black = Extinct (EGIDS 10) — The language has fallen completely out of use and no one retains a sense of ethnic identity associated with the language.

Resources

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Digest of the languages of Liberia ($149.95, 32 page PDF)

Liberia

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Liberia

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action