Lesson 5: Tonality in Lingala (Part II)

II. Double Tones

A combination of two simple tones results in two double tones. The increasing tone is characterized by an upside down accent circumflex on the vowel like in [ê] when written. The decreasing tone is characterized by an accent circumflex on the vowel like in [ê] when written.

Increasing Tones

e.g.: mwana ye

If we were to break it up by syllables, it becomes –

mwa (add and imaginary ‘a’ here)/na ye/(add an imaginary ‘e’ here)

As such, this should be pronounced as — mwa-á-na ye-é

When written, it becomes — mwâna yê (his/her son)

Note on usage –

You will mainly encounter of the increasing tone in:

– yô, yê (you, him/her)

– the prefix of conjugated verbes

Decreasing Tones

e.g.: tE koya

If we were to break it up by syllables, it becomes –

tE (add an imaginary ‘E’ here) ko/ya (add an imaginary ‘a’ here)

As such, this should be pronounced as – tÉ-E ko-yá-a

When written, it becomes – tÊ koyâ (not coming)

Note on usage

You will mainly encounter of the decreasing tone in:

– A negative phrase that ends in tÊ (non)

– a few monosyllabic radical verbs like ko-yâ (to come), ko-tâ (to hit), ko-nwâ (to drink), etc …

– in the substantif: sâ (a watch)

Lastly, here is an insightful video on the tonal nature of Lingala — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HroHOX01O-A