Liberia is a multilingual country with over 30 languages spoken. The official language is English, which is used in government, education, and media. It was introduced during the 19th century when freed American slaves settled in Liberia. In addition to English, several indigenous languages are widely spoken, including Kpelle, Bassa, and Grebo. These languages belong to different language families, reflecting the country's diverse ethnic groups. Many Liberians are bilingual or multilingual, often speaking both English and their local language.