Trump's 'good English' praise prompts eye rolls in Liberia, some cheers

Liberians reacted with a mix of anger and weary resignation Thursday after discovering that the leader of their country’s closest bilateral partner does not appear to know what language they speak.

- REUTERS

At a meeting at the White House Wednesday, US President Donald Trump responded to brief remarks from his Liberian counterpart, Joseph Boakai, by marvelling at his “beautiful” English and asking where he learned it.

English is the official language of Liberia, a country founded in 1822 as a colony for free Black Americans.

Government statements are published in standard English while spoken Liberian English reflects influences from pidgin and indigenous languages used across the country of around 5.5 million people.

Liberians sometimes refer to the US as their “big brother”, but not everyone was surprised that Trump’s knowledge of the country did not seem to reflect that closeness.