This research project addresses the inadequately studied phonetic and phonological features of the "entre Congo-Ubangi" sector of Africa's Macro-Sudan Belt, in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo. The "entre Congo-Ubangi," rich in linguistic, anthropological, and genetic diversity, has drawn interdisciplinary attention but remains severely under-documented to this day. Notably, languages in this area are marked by unique phonological traits such as labial-velar and implosive consonants. Despite their prevalence, limited data and analyses exist, leaving fundamental questions unanswered.
The project aims to study the phonetics and phonology of labial-velars and implosives in the "entre Congo-Ubangi", shedding light on their behaviour, variation, and possible historical substrates. It also seeks to examine their relationship with other local phonetic rarities such as retroflex flaps. By collecting and analysing primary lexical, acoustic, and articulatory data, the project aims to contribute to the fields of linguistic typology, phonetics, and phonology.
Research objectives encompass detailed examinations of labial-velars and implosives, addressing questions about their articulation, phonological integration, and (micro-)variation across language communities. Understanding these unique phonetic phenomena is crucial to uncovering broader typological and historical implications.