Diphtongues et voyelles trimoraïques dans le groupe Téké (B70)

Abstract

This study examines the vowels of Teke-Eboo (B74b) and Engungwel (B72), which have more complicated vowel systems compared to other languages in the Teke group (B70). Using a comparative approach, I seek to trace the process of second consonant deletion which has produced four new diphthongs, as well as sequences of three vowels in two syllables in Eboo. In Engungwel, second consonant deletion gives rise to the rare phenomenon of sequences of three vowels in the same syllable (or trimoraic vowels. The process of second consonant deletion is the same, but the results are different in the two languages, since the context in which the deletion occurs is not the same.