Consonantal Succession and Harmony

§24. DOUBLE CONSONANTS True geminate (doubled) consonants do not occur in Umbundu. Where a nasal prefix precedes a stem beginning with a nasal consonant, one nasal absorbs the other: n + mona → mona (not nmona) m + manga → manga §25–26. NASAL AND CONSONANT SUCCESSION The prenasalized consonants (mb, nd, ng, nj) arise from the combination of a nasal prefix with a voiced stop. Rules: Before b and p → nasal is m: m + bua = ombua (dog) Before d and j → nasal is n: n + daka = ondaka (word) Before g → nasal is ng: ng + ombe = ongombe (ox) When a nasal prefix meets certain consonants, changes occur: n + l → nd (l after nasal becomes nd): Example: o + lume → ondume (male) n + k → h (k after nasal becomes h, and nasal drops): Example: n + kola → hola (in some forms) n + f, s → nasal drops, consonant unchanged: Example: n + feta → feta (first person negative) n + nasal → one nasal absorbed §27–28. CONSONANTAL HARMONY Suffixes tend to harmonize with the final consonant of the stem in terms of place of articulation. Nasal suffixes agree in place with the preceding consonant: after labials (m, b, p): suffix nasal = m after dentals (n, d, t): suffix nasal = n after velars (ng, k): suffix nasal = ng Examples in verb forms: tum-a (send) → past: tum-ine (labial harmony: m→m in -ine vs -ele) lon-ga (advise)→ past: long-ene (velar harmony) popi-a (speak) → past: popi-ile (suffix with close vowel after i)