Which languages are widely spoken in Liberia besides English?

While English is the official language of Liberia, the country is home to more than two dozen indigenous languages, all of which belong to the Niger-Congo language family.12

These languages are categorized into three primary linguistic groups:

• Mande: This group includes the Kpelle—the largest Mande group—as well as Dan (Gio), Mano, Loma, Mandingo, and Vai.2
• Kwa: This group includes the Bassa, which is the largest ethnic group in Monrovia, as well as the Kru, Grebo, and Krahn.2
• Mel: This group includes the Gola and Kisi, who are considered among the oldest inhabitants of the region.2

The Vai people are particularly notable for having developed their own unique alphabet.23