Yaka language (Congo–Angola)

Yaka, also spelled Iaca and Iyaka, is a Bantu language spoken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola. There are two dialects, Yaka proper, which comprises 99% of speakers, and Ngoongo (distinguish West Ngongo language). The alleged varieties Pelende and Lonzo are political rather than ethnolinguistic entities.

Phonology

Consonants

• The following consonants when preceding /w/ may also be labialized; /tÊ·, kÊ·, bÊ·, ᵐbÊ·, ⁿdÍ¡zÊ·, ᵑɡʷ, fÊ·, sÊ·, hÊ·, vÊ·, mÊ·, nÊ·, lÊ·/.
• The following consonants when preceding /j/ may also be palatalized; /tʲ, kʲ, bʲ, dʲ, tÍ¡sʲ, sʲ, hʲ, zʲ, mʲ, nʲ/.

Vowels

References