Lets Talk Liberian English

As I type this Mr. Andrews, the landlord for LEAD's office in Buchanan, is having an entire conversation about rent prices, using an allegory of new and old mats at the medium for the conversation.

An excerpt from Allen: "When you make new mat, don't you have to sit on the old one?"

Mr. Andrews has come all the way to Monrovia to try to raise the monthly rent on us during mid-contract. As it turns out, he's not being sinister, he just has an emergency in the family and needs to come up with some extra money. Allen is explaining to him that while we are in the midst of one contract, he has no right to raise the rent price.

Furthermore, we are being good tenants, and it would not be wise of him to treat us poorly during this lease period when we are probably going to be signing another one with him. Allen goes on to explain that, because of the relationship he has with LEAD, he can come and request additional funds from us to help him out, but LEAD is certainly under no obligation to do so.

Liberian English is so much more than just an accent; its an entire methodology of speaking with rules, making it a dialect (as far as I'm concerned). Sure there is an accent, but that's just part of it, and overcoming it is just the first step of understanding. You see, you'll also notice that Liberians cut off the end of many words and even entire middle syllables, but there is a predictability to it, so with time you can anticipate it, even replicate it.

But that's not all! You also need to learn which words are replaced by others because you might not pick up the meaning of what is actually spoken if the speaker is not using all the same words you would expect. An easy example is one I mentioned in the last blog post: any 'SUV', as we say in North America, is considered to be a 'jeep'. You can explain to a Liberian that Jeep is a branch of the automobile manufacturer Chrysler and not a type of vehicle all you want, but you will only be wasting your time.

Another example would be if my colleague Andrew Davis would take/walk/bring the registration payment for my jeep over to the Ministry of Finance. Instead he would say "I'm going to carry the payment over there this afternoon." Similarly, when Allen hands me the keys after taking a stop at Mama Sallie's restaurant on the way back from Ganta and says "I think you can carry us to Monrovia" he's saying that he's tired having just drove the really rough road from Ganta to Gbarnga, and I should drive the rest of the way.

Now account for the Liberian sense of humor; dry and layered. It takes some time to pick up, and much longer to be able to replicate, but I've become a huge fan.

[Liberians speak LOUDLY!]

I began this post talking about how Liberians use allegories. Its something you really need to be looking out for to be able to have a full understanding of what's going on because they are used in all types of conversations. Now for a few allegories/sayings that come to mind:

"That man has snake eyes"

That guy seems to always have frown on his face, or he simple has a face that looks like its always mad.

"Let sleeping dogs lie"

The issue at hand is not correct the way it is, and it is a problem, but its not one that is going to 'bite us in the ass' as it is now, so lets just go ahead and leave it be.

"That man is stretching eye at you!"

My Liberian passenger is noting that I've offended someone with my driving, and he's showing it with his face.

My all time favorite still remains the one Allen taught me while driving in traffic. He was riding shotgun when a pan pan (motorcycle taxi) cuts me off, nearly killing himself and his passenger.

Allen "I beg yea, rice eh swee -oh!"

Literally translated: "I beg you, rice is sweet."

Translated for meaning: "Rice is tasty, and you probably enjoy eating it. If you'd like to continue to be alive to be able to do so, I advice you not to ride your motorcycle like that!"

If you can pick up on all that, then you just need to add 'oh' to end of about half your sentences, and you're all set!

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COMMENTS PLEASE!

While I was back in North America I was happy to hear that people were actually reading my posts, which is a huge motivation to keep posting. I created a hit counter for the page (on the right, bottom), but it keeps track of each and every visit, including my own, and including anyone who has it set as their home page (yes, the blog is THAT well followed).

However, I'd love to hear your feedback so comment away! For example, if you're an English major and it grinds you to hear me use 'allegory' twice when its really a parable or metaphor or whatever, or you hate how many commas I use, or if you don't approve of my recent love of the italics function for posting, feel free to have at it.

Also, email/comment your questions! Blog post topic request? Let me know!