I'm using this book to self-study the Mende language, and I supplement my study by practicing with my mother. Is anyone familiar with this book and what are our thoughts on it?

It seems very comprehensive insofar as covering the basic and fundamental structures of the language go (mentions how pronouns work, grammar/conjugation, important verbs like "to be"), etc...

One issue I have with it is its age. It was published in 1908 (decades before IPA) so I have difficulty in ascertaining how to pronounce certain words, because the orthography is very different from the orthography used to write Mende today. Also, when describing pronunciation, Migeod compares it to English words, which is problematic because he likely spoke with an early 20th Century British accent, which I as an American born in the 21st century obviously will not have.

Another unrelated question, how do I learn/pick up the distinctions between tones in Mende? I've heard that Mende is a tonal language yet when I practice with my mother she doesn't make any important distinction between tones (keep in mind she isn't fluent in Mende.) Another Mende language resource I found doesn't yet mention tones in any of their videos either.

Are there examples of words where tones make an important distinctions? Maybe (kee vs kee) (but vs. father)

Hello anyone able to tutor in Mende?

Anyone know any information about adoption from Salone to America?

So I’ve lived in Ghana for years. I basically grew up here and I love it here. There’s sometimes this longing for home, just like the saying goes “there’s no place like home”. I just completed my first degree and I’ve been thinking about moving back. Do you think it’s a good idea? Do you have any suggestions for me?

Hey, I am going to book a holiday to Sierra Leone around July time. Looking at Freetown specifically. Any other suggestions for where might be nicer or anyone here have any advice when visiting Freetown or places to go? Thanks

Are there any members of this group living in Chicago? My husband and I just moved to Chicago from Sierra Leone.

Hello folks!

Next month a local storytelling group in my city is having an event that shares stories about life in rural Sierra Leone.

I plan to attend in person, but figured I'd share a link here as it will be available online/on-demand. Here's a link to the event and information about on-demand tickets can be found near the bottom on the page!

Cheers

I will be working in Sierra Leone for a few years, so I would like to understand the people and their country more

edit- I do not know anything at the moment. Even an general textbook recommendation would be helpful. Thank you!

Probably not worth reaching out as it's been three years since I've graduated from high school, but just looking at common names, I think these girls I went to school with were Sierra Leonean, their names were Kadiatu and Isata. I don't think I'd talk to them again, but I'd still like to make connections in the States. Does anyone know of any Salone communities in Philadelphia, PA / Tri-State Area. Only place I can see myself travelling to is South Jersey.

Recently, I discovered that I have Gullah Geechee heritage, after initially learning I had Sierra Leonean DNA. I was unsure what to do with this new information, but a conversation with someone in a Sierra Leone Discord server led me to believe that I may be descended from the Mende people. Although I may not be able to find my biological family, I'm open to creating a new connection with my roots.

Watching a 1989 documentary with my grandma, which showed Gullah Geechee people traveling to Sierra Leone to reunite with their ancestral homeland, was a moving experience. Seeing the joy and sense of connection between the Gullah Geechee and Sierra Leoneans as they shared meals, danced, and sang together was heartwarming. It made me wonder — have there been any similar trips organized by the Sierra Leonean government since then?

So in the future I'm wanting to visit Sierra leona but unsure on where to go . Obviously I'm gonna go to Freetown but idk where else to go . Which towns,villages , cities and natural beauties should I visit .

What would be my best way to get to Sierra Leone my closest airport is Newcastle, second closest is either Leeds Bradford, Edinburgh or teesside airport

Are people from Sierra Leone fine with brits (asking this on all the subs I'm posting on since we aren't liked in some countries)

I have a question: My wife and two kids went for their interview on September 19, they all have separate case number but as after the interview, the CO didn't ask my 9 years daughter, but he asked my 18 years son one to two questions. For my wife, she was told everything looks good but she needed to bring my divorce certificate to the embassy which as he dropped off after 3 days. From that time, Sept 19, her visa status changed from ready to Refused but the two children's ststus has never changed since their interview as it is still showing "Ready". This morning, strangely, only my wife's status changed from Refused to Administrative Processing but the children still showing Ready, is this normal or what is happening?

I would like to introduce to you an impactful and inspiring initiative in Sierra Leone called ''waste into wealth''. A project that aligns with global goals for sustainable development, economic empowerment in developing countries, and environmental preservation.

I am the owner of a commercial cleaning company and a waste management company in Freetown and we have already begun work cleaning up the streets, homes and businesses of Freetown. We plan to take things one step further and introduce a circular economy where waste items can be turned into valuable commodities. This will not just help us to clean up the city, but will promote sustainability, create more jobs and boost the economy. Please check out our project brief within our Gofundme link: https://gofund.me/7981fc91

About the Project

Sierra Leone, like many countries, faces challenges with waste management, where plastics and other non-biodegradable materials contribute significantly to environmental degradation, health risks, and untapped economic potential. Our "Waste into Wealth" initiative aims to revolutionize waste management by transforming waste into valuable resources, empowering communities while addressing climate concerns. Our key goals include:

• Environmental Protection: Reducing plastic waste and pollution through recycling and innovative upcycling methods.
• Job Creation: Training and employing locals to turn waste into eco-friendly products like tiles, bags, and compost materials.
• Community Empowerment: Educating households, schools, and businesses on sustainable waste practices.
• Circular Economy Building: Developing sustainable systems where waste is no longer discarded but becomes a source of income and utility.

By supporting this project, you could contribute to:

• Tangible Environmental Impact: Preventing hundreds of tons of waste from ending up in landfills and waterways.
• Economic Transformation: Generating income for vulnerable populations, especially women and youth.
• Scalable Models: Establishing a framework for sustainable waste management that can be replicated across developing nations.

We are reaching out to explore opportunities for support, collaboration, expert advice, or even just spreading the word about our initiative. Specifically, we are seeking:

• Technical guidance on scaling recycling and upcycling systems.
• Financial support or grants to fund machinery, training programs, and awareness campaigns.
• Partnership opportunities to create long-term solutions.
• Simply sharing our project to reach other potential partners.

Please see our GoFundMe to find out more about our project and how you can support us:https://gofund.me/7981fc91

Sorry for accidental CAPs. Used to visit my husbands family in Freetown years ago, but have not been in a very long while ~10 years. Trying to plan a trip and looking for the latest tips.

• Advisable to get visa through embassy in US?
• How does airport fee work?
• how safe are the boats to Freetown? Is there a preferred boat company?
• Will my old leones be usable?
• any other safety or effeciency tips?
• is the Radisson still a good hotel?

Thank you!