Liberia: Information on the language of the Gola ethnic group and whether it is written, and taught at school
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 October 1993 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LBR15437.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Liberia: Information on the language of the Gola ethnic group and whether it is written, and taught at school, 1 October 1993, LBR15437.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab0292.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
An official of the Embassy of Liberia in Washington states that Gola is not taught in schools, but it is written in Roman script (29 Oct. 1993). The following information on the ethnic and linguistic make-up of Liberia may also be of interest.
According to Encyclopedia of the Third World, Liberia's population is made up of Americo-Liberians, the descendants of freed American slaves, and indigenous groups. The latter number 32 groups, but only 16 are recognized as ethnic groups (1992, 1121-1122; Africa South of the Sahara 1990 1989, 603; Grande encyclopédie du monde 1988, 4771). Encyclopedia of the Third World mentions that only three groups, Bassa, Dei and Belle, are wholly found within Liberia (while members of the other groups are found in larger numbers in neighbouring countries than in Liberia) (1992, 1121-1122).
Out of a national population of almost three million, the Gola make up 4.7 per cent of the population (ibid., 1122). The source states that English is the official language although it is spoken by only 30 per cent of the population and only 20 per cent can read or write it (ibid.). The indigenous languages, of which Gola is one, are categorized into three sub-groups of the Niger-Congo group of languages: western and eastern branches of Mande, the southern branch of the West Atlantic and the Kru branch of Kwa (ibid.). The West Atlantic group includes the Kissi and Gola from the mountains north and west of Liberia; the Mande consists of the Via, Mono, Kpelle and Don mostly in the centre of the country; and in the south and south west are found the Kru and Bassa (World Directory of Minorities 1991, 219).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Africa South of the Sahara, 1990. 1989. 19th ed. London: Europa Publications Ltd.
Embassy of Liberia, Washington, DC. 29 October 1993. Telephone interview with an official.
Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992. Vol. 2. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New York: Facts on File Inc.
La grande encyclopédie du monde. 1988. Vol. 11. Edited by Groupe Guilde. Paris: Editions Atlas
Marlherbe, Michel. 1983. Les Langues de l'humanité (Une encyclopédie des 3000 langues parlées dans le monde). Paris: Editions Seghers.
World Directory of Minorities. 1991. Edited by Minority Rights Group. London: Longman Group UK Ltd.
Attachments
Africa South of the Sahara, 1990. 1989. 19th ed. London: Europa Publications Ltd.
Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992. Vol. 2. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New York: Facts on File Inc.
La grande encyclopédie du monde. 1988. Vol. 11. Edited by Groupe Guilde. Paris: Editions Atlas
Marlherbe, Michel. 1983. Les Langues de l'humanité (Une encyclopédie des 3000 langues parlées dans le monde). Paris: Editions Seghers.
World Directory of Minorities. 1991. Edited by Minority Rights Group. London: Longman Group UK Ltd.