During lunch at the White House with African leaders on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump appreciated Libérian President Joseph Boakai for his English -speaking skills, although English is the official language of Liberia.
After Boakai introduced short remarks, Trump wondered curiously where he learned to speak English so well. He said, “Thank you and so good English … where did you learn to speak so beautiful? Where have you been educated?”
In addition, Boakai indicated that he was educated in his native country. “In Liberia?” Trump said. “Yes, Lord,” Boakai said. When he faced the media, it was difficult to read his expression, but his short, mumbled answer indicated embarrassment.
Despite his discomfort, Trump, which was surrounded by French -speaking presidents from other West African nations, was constantly digging.
“It’s a beautiful English. I have people at this table who can’t do almost as good,” he said.
Boakai, a graduate of the store, can read and write in Mendi and Kissi, but converts in the official language and Lingua Franca Liberia – English.
All you need to know about Liberia
Liberia was founded in 1822 as a colony for Free Black Americans, a spiritual of White Americans who are trying to solve what they saw as a problem – the future for blacks in the United States as soon as slavery ended. English is the official language of Liberia, although several native languages are also spoken.
The country has a diverse range of indigenous languages and a number of creative dialects, while Kpelpespeakers are the largest linguistic group.
The American involvement in Liberia began at the age of 20, when the American colonization company funded by Congress and slaves began sending liberated slaves to the coast.
(With Reuters and AFP inputs)
(Tagstotranslate) Liberia
