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Lombi [LMI] (D. R. Congo). Demolin (1988: 81, 83) reports a labial flap in
Lombi in the lexical items -(1L7( -(1L7( -(1L7( -(1L7( ‘root’, =(L =(L =(L =(L
‘tail’, and -(J-(L- -(J-(L- -(J-(L- -(J-(L- ‘claw’.
Mangbetu [MDJ] (D. R. Congo). The labial flap is attested in Mangbetu in Tucker
& Bryan (1966: 29), Larochette (1958) (Mangbetu and Meje dialects), Demolin (1988:
69, 81, 83) (Mangbetu and Makere dialects), McKee (1991) (Meje dialect), and Demolin
& Teston (1996).
Demolin & Teston (1996: 103) state that the articulation of the sound is “a
labiodental flap with a bilabial variant”. The bilabial variant can occur before a and o.
The articulation of the sound is the same in “all the languages of the Moru-Mangbetu
group...where this sound is encountered (Efe, Lese, Mamvu, and most of the languages of
the Mangbetu group)”. They provide instrumental evidence to demonstrate that the sound
is not an implosive, contra Larochette (1958), and not a fricative, contra McKee (1991).
In addition, they note that there is a backing movement of the tongue (p. 110).
Section D.5.2.
Evidence for the phonological status of the labial flap in Mangbetu is given in
Efe [EFE] (D. R. Congo). Demolin & Teston (1996: 103) mention the occurrence
of the labial flap in Efe. However, no data are given.
Lese [LES] (D. R. Congo). A labiodental flap is reported in Lese by Tucker &
Bryan (1966: 35), Demolin & Teston (1996: 103) and Constance Kutsch Lojenga (per.
comm.). In comparing the labial flaps in Ndogo and Lese, Kutsch Lojenga observed that
the flap in Lese is “weaker” in that there is no actual contact between the articulators.
Tucker & Bryan attest it in the word LE LE ‘gather’. Kutsch Lojenga attests it in the words
L=(L=( L=(L=( ‘stomach ailment’, =(L =(L
‘friend’, and -L-( -L-( -L-( -L-( ‘type of plant’.
Mamvu [MDI] (D. R. Congo). Tucker & Bryan (1966: 29, 46) report a labiodental
flap in the words =L=( =L=( ‘father’ and 77(-L- 77(-L- 77(-L- 77(-L- ‘my body’.
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