Hello Friends & Family,  Language is so important for communication, verbal and non-verbal.  During each of my times in Liberia since 2006, I have tried to hear, learn and use some Liberian English. As the more I practice, the better chance the local population will understand me and better connect with them.  The World Factbook has Liberia with: English 20% (official) plus some 20 ethnic group languages few of which can be written.  Almost all speak Liberian English.  A friend shared a document that has been helpful – here below are parts from that document to give you an idea of the words and expressions used here in Liberia.    
Liberian English is quite distinct from British or American usage. It has some archaic American expressions held over from the “pioneers” of the 1800s (like “vexed” for angry), but also has some British and other diverse expressions. Pronunciation tends to drop the final consonant of words ending in consonants so that “Jared” sounds just like “Jerry”. “Th” is often pronounced like a “T”, and so “think” becomes “tink”, and “Thank You” becomes “tank you”. At the end of a word, “th” is often pronounced as an “F” (i.e., ‘truth’ becomes “truf”, and “Keith” becomes “Keitf” – part of the reason I use my Liberian name of Kofa. 
Word order is often quite different as well, so that question sentences are phrased differently than in standard English. For example, the question “When did you take the exam?” becomes “What time you took the exam?”. From my experience Liberians are ok with me asking lots of questions, most people are happy to help me learn to speak “goo’ English”. 
Liberian English
Beg: solicit; plead; a request. “I beg you” (Pleaded) “I begged him”  – I use this one.
Belly: pregnant. “That woman got belly” (That woman is pregnant.)
Book: to know book; literate. “He knows book” (He is literate.) ~48% Liberians over 15 years old can read and write
Bossman: Anyone who is the head of something – at times I am called this as I’m the Country Director – at other times I hear ‘whiteman‘ 
Business: matters; concerns. (e.g., “Church business”; “God business”=religion) 
Carry: take; convey. “Carry me to town.” (Take me to town.)
Dash: a tip; a gift. Also a verb: to give something to-dash me. The word sometimes implies a “bribe,”. 
Finish: done; the end; stop; complete. “The meeting finish.” (The meeting is done or over.)
Greens: any leafy vegetable used with oil for “soup and rice.” ie. cassava leaves (see photo) and potato leaves – always with rice – though they are not my favorite.
Ground pea: peanut; ground nut.  for those who know me, I love crunchy peanut butter and I do eat that over here.  
How da body?: How are you (How is your body, i.e., your health?)?  We use a similar expression in neighboring Sierra Leone.
I’m going now: goodbye.
Lappa: a piece of cloth about two yards in length. It is also a measurement of length for cloth
Market: to trade; to sell. Usually expressed as “Make market.” Also refers to any place of selling or trading or any goods intended for exchange.
Must (pronounced “muh”): shall, will. “He must come.” (He shall come.) “You must!” (Will you? or Please do.) 
Pump: A pump is any faucet or hand pump, any source of running water.  Remember that for most of those in Liberia who have access to potable water – it is with a hand pump.  
Runny stomach: diarrhea
Who-dat: Who is that? Often the answer is “I da one” (I’m the one)… not a lot of help there, huh?  I’ve tried this on the telephone when they are not in my phone as a contact and I can’t figure out who is calling.
“My head can be hurting” (I have a headache).  At times I need to use this one, but not too often thankfully.  
“Drip” = IV fluid (“I went to da hospital and dey gave me quinine drip”) 

If you are interested in the entire ten-page document of ‘Introduction to Liberian English’ – it is available for download on my website.  

Prayer Requests: 

*Communication skills to best connect with the population of Liberia
*Health and Safety for me, my team, and the people of Liberia 
*Safe Sailing for the Global Mercy – she arrives in Belgium this weekend to start the outfitting stage.