ABSTRACT
Chapter 3 is about the sounds of Bantu languages. Many Bantu languages have relatively simple segmental inventories. However, internal developments and external influences create considerable diversity in consonantal and vocalic patterns. Depressor consonants, ATR/RTR vowels, prenasalised stops, ejectives and clicks are among the sounds that have been investigated using a wide range of articulatory and acoustic instrumental phonetic techniques. Phonetic timing patterns and tone and stress interactions in Bantu languages provide a wealth of patterns to test phonological theories.
