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David Crystal's analysis of the spread of English within the West African region provides scarce detail on the development and cultural use of the language within local communities. This limited view of English's expansion passes over what is surely a deeply complex history of language, colonialism and enduring grit.

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- 1874 Crown Colony - after British expedition against the Ashanti
-1957 adjacent British Togoland trust territory
-1957 Independence
19 million in 2002 - 1,5 billion English as second language

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1780s - Settlement for freed slaves from England, Nova Scotia and Jamaica
1808 - Crown Colony
Chief form communication - English based creole, Krio
1896 - declared English protectorate
1961 - Independence
Population - 5.4 million , most know Krio

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The state of Nigeria was formed as a result of the annexation of Lagos as a British colony in 1861, which joined the southern and northern territories in 1914 to form a singular body, receiving independence in 1960. Over half of the population of 126 million people speak pidgin English as a second language, while still maintaining its multilingual history with over 500 languages spoken in the country.

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Nigerian Pidgin English accepted as unofficial second language

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- Africa's oldest republic (founded 1822)
- State was founded by the "American Colonization Society" as a homeland for former slaves
- Adopted a constitution based on that of the USA
- Official language is English; lessons in the school are in English -->English as first and second language

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Liberian English - real Liberian accent!

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- First appearance of English around the 16th century
- Became German protectorate in 1884 (Germany had little interest in enhancing their own language)
- Cameroon was divided between France and Britain in 1919 -->final solidification of the English language
- Became one country in 1972
- English and French remain official languages -->Cameroon is linguistically unique on the African continent
- There is a variety of indigenous languages
- Contact languages have flourished (Cameroon Pidgin English)

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Due to Gambia's trade-accessible Gambia River the country was the recipient of British colonial activities since the early 17th century. It's capital city, Banjul was established as a base for British anti-slavers, and joined the British Empire as a colony in 1843, and gaining independence in 1965 and a republic in 1970.