The World in Words 104: Ajami, Liberian proverbs and learning to interrupt at the UN
Every year, 4,000 staffers at the United Nations in New York sign up for language classes. There they learn not just languages but how to use them diplomatically. Also, reporter Jason Margolis visits Liberia and ends up judging a competition to determine the country’s most inventive proverb. And, is it a language? No! Is it a dialect? No! It’s Ajami: Arabic script used as a writing system for many African languages.
The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.
Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.