Trump’s praise of Liberian leader’s “Excellent English” prompts eye movement and frustration
Liberians resigned Thursday with anger and tiredness after discovering the leaders of the country’s closest bilateral partners who seemed to know what language they spoke.
At a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump responded to brief remarks from his Liberian rival, Joseph Boakai, who marveled at his “beautiful” English and asked where he learned it.
This caused a lot of shock and frustration because English is the official language of Liberia, a country with a colony of free black Americans founded in 1822.
The government’s statement is published in standard English, and the Liberian English reflects the influence of Pidgin and the indigenous languages spoken by about 5.5 million people across the country.
U.S. President Donald Trump hosted leaders of several African countries at the White House on Wednesday. When Liberian President Joseph Boakai talked about working with the United States, Trump praised Boakai for his “beautiful English” and asked him where he was educated.
Liberians sometimes refer to the United States as their “brother”, but not everyone is surprised that Trump’s knowledge of the country does not seem to reflect this intimacy.
Liberian feminist activist Fatumata Binta Sall, who travels to the United States regularly, told Reuters that Trump was too familiar with Boakai’s surprise of fluency in English.
“A lot of times, I have Americans asking me if I’m studying abroad or where I’m learning to say ‘so good’,” she said.
Such remarks, she said, show that her country “is invisible in the minds of many Americans, did not attend international conferences, “remind the world that Liberia exists.”
“Disrespect and disguise as praise”
William vs Tubman III, the grandson of former Liberian President William Tubman, is frustrated by Trump’s lack of respect.
“Praise for the African head of state to speak English ‘so beautiful’ is not a compliment, but reflects the in-depth thinking of colonial thought to continue to shape expectations,” he said.
“What Trump is talking about is not ignorance. It is a right to disrespect and disguise as praise.”
Massad Boulos, a senior Trump adviser to Africa, said no one disturbed the room after Trump’s comments.
“I was in the meeting and everyone was deeply appreciating the president’s time and effort,” Blos said in a statement.
The White House shared a separate statement by Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, who stressed that Pokay himself was not offensive.
“What President Trump has obviously heard is the impact of the United States on our English in Liberia, and the President of Liberia is not offended by that,” she said.
“We know that English has different accents and forms, so he picks up a unique tone, which originates from American English, and that’s just recognizing the familiar version of English.”
Liberia President touts Mineral Assets
Some residents of Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, also chose to highlight the positive aspects of the visit they see.
Boakai’s inclusion in the guest list gives him the opportunity to tout Liberia’s mineral assets and democratic election history.
He was clearly impressed by the master as the only English statement – in a group that included Senegal, Guinea-Peso, Gabon and Mauritanian leaders.
“In terms of his grammar, the way he speaks, I think it shows that Boakai has a solid foundation in education in Liberia,” said radio reporter Augustus Caine.
A book in the analyst newspaper story says that Boakai “eloquically conveyed the critical interests of Liberia” and “attracted the admiration of his master.”
There is a rarely used English word on the title, which Trump himself was restored in his first White House game in 2016.
It reads: “Trump’s invitation to Liberia scores ”.”
