Monrovia – In Liberia, a silent crisis is unfolding — one that threatens to erase the rich tapestry of indigenous languages that have defined the nation’s culture for centuries. Nearly half of Liberia’s 16 indigenous languages are now at risk of disappearing, leaving a void where once vibrant histories, traditions, and identities thrived.
By Selma Lomax/[email protected]
The pressures of colonization, the dominance of English, and the lack of structured language education have accelerated the decline of these languages, many of which are spoken by fewer and fewer people as older generations pass away.
However, there is hope on the horizon.
The Liberia Endangered Language Project (LIBELP) is stepping forward with a powerful initiative aimed at preserving, revitalizing, and digitalizing Liberia’s endangered languages, ensuring that future generations can connect with their cultural roots through the languages of their ancestors.
A Vision for the Future: The Liberia Endangered Language Project
LIBELP is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, revitalization, and promotion of Liberia’s indigenous languages. Through an innovative approach that blends education, technology, and community engagement, LIBELP is empowering local communities to reclaim their languages. The initiative goes beyond language, recognizing that the survival of a language is inextricably tied to the preservation of culture, identity, and history.
At the heart of LIBELP’s mission is the belief that language is not merely a tool for communication, but a living repository of a community’s collective wisdom.
The organization’s efforts are centered on a comprehensive approach that includes creating free online courses, producing educational videos, and developing a range of resources that make language learning accessible to all.
Through these efforts, LIBELP is taking concrete steps to ensure that Liberia’s indigenous languages do not fade into oblivion.
Why Liberia’s Languages Are Endangered
Languages become endangered when fewer people speak them, and when younger generations no longer learn them at home. In Liberia, the dominance of English, combined with the lack of formal education in indigenous languages, has made it difficult for these languages to thrive. Without active intervention, Liberia’s cultural and linguistic diversity may be lost.
But language loss is not just a matter of losing words—it’s about losing ways of life, perspectives, and entire worldviews. Studies show that revitalizing a language can have profound positive effects, from strengthening community ties to improving mental health. In a rapidly changing world, ensuring the survival of indigenous languages is not just about cultural preservation — it’s about the enrichment of society as a whole.
LIBELP’s Approach to Revitalization
LIBELP’s work is multifaceted and community-driven. The organization’s efforts include:
- Language Education: By offering free online courses, videos, and other materials, LIBELP provides accessible learning resources for Liberia’s indigenous languages.
- Content Creation: Through engaging media such as social media posts, videos, and blogs, LIBELP makes language learning fun, dynamic, and relevant for modern audiences.
- Community Training: LIBELP works directly with teachers, language experts, and local leaders, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to teach and share indigenous languages.
- Bilingual Education Advocacy: LIBELP is actively advocating for policy changes that would incorporate indigenous languages into Liberia’s formal education system, alongside English.
- Technology Integration: By collaborating with experts, LIBELP is developing mobile applications and digital platforms to make language learning available on-the-go, ensuring that language preservation can occur anywhere, anytime.
Pioneering Research in Natural Language Processing (NLP)
In a groundbreaking move, LIBELP is also embracing modern technology to ensure that Liberia’s indigenous languages remain relevant in the digital age.
The organization is pioneering research in Natural Language Processing (NLP), a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) that focuses on making human language comprehensible to machines.
LIBELP has teamed up with experts such as Assistant Professor Emmanuel J. Dorley of the University of Florida and Kweku Yamoah to create digital datasets for Liberian languages.
These datasets are essential for developing AI-driven tools like speech recognition, translation, and text processing technologies. By creating these resources, LIBELP is ensuring that Liberia’s languages can thrive in digital spaces, preserving their relevance for future generations.
Why It Matters: The Importance of Language Preservation
Language loss is not inevitable, and it can be reversed. Around the world, communities have successfully revitalized their languages through focused efforts in education, advocacy, and policy change. Liberia can do the same, but only if there is collective action.
The loss of a language is also the loss of cultural diversity, community bonds, and traditional knowledge. Liberia’s indigenous languages are more than just words — they are a reflection of the nation’s identity. Preserving them is essential not only for cultural survival but also for the future development of the country.
A Call to Action: How Every Liberian Can Help
The fight to preserve Liberia’s indigenous languages is a national endeavor, and everyone has a role to play in ensuring the survival of this linguistic heritage:
- Parents: Speak your native language at home and encourage your children to learn it.
- Educators: Integrate indigenous languages into your teaching and curriculum.
- Policymakers: Support bilingual education policies and initiatives that prioritize language preservation.
- The Liberian Diaspora: Stay connected to your roots by learning and promoting your native language.
- Donors and Supporters: As a non-profit, LIBELP relies on the support of donors to continue its vital work. Consider contributing to their mission to revitalize Liberia’s indigenous languages.
The Official Launch of LIBELP
On March 15, 2025, the official launch of LIBELP will take place at the University of Liberia, Capitol Hill Campus. This momentous event will mark the beginning of a national movement to preserve and celebrate Liberia’s linguistic heritage. Government officials, educators, students, community leaders, and all Liberians are invited to join in this historic occasion.
The launch is a call to action for all Liberians to take part in the movement to protect and revitalize the country’s indigenous languages. As LIBELP embarks on this ambitious journey, it remains committed to ensuring that Liberia’s mother tongues continue to thrive, not just as symbols of the past, but as vital, living languages for the future.
About the Founder: Dr. Jackson Weako
Dr. Jackson Weako, the visionary founder and chairman of LIBELP, is a computational research scientist and advocate for language preservation. With a PhD in Computational Science and Engineering, Dr. Weako has dedicated his career to developing technology-driven solutions to preserve African languages, including Liberia’s indigenous languages. His work has garnered international recognition, and through LIBELP, he continues to lead efforts to ensure that Liberia’s linguistic heritage is protected and promoted in the modern world.
As Dr. Weako passionately states, “Our languages are at risk, but we have the power to change that. It starts with speaking them at home, teaching them in schools, and integrating them into modern technology. LIBELP is not just my project but a movement for all Liberians. Let’s work together to protect and promote our heritage before it is too late.”
For more information on LIBELP, partnerships, or donations, visit https://libelp.org or contact [email protected]. Let’s ensure Liberia’s linguistic heritage does not vanish—but thrives for future generations.
