ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that a good grounding in phonetics and tone work is an indispensable preliminary to anyone embarking on a study of African language and so provides the material necessary for this in a simple form. The volume is primarily a practical manual for students of African languages but will also be an invaluable tool for students of general linguistics. The languages observed present features of language that are very different to those found in Europe. In many African languages a special type of plosive is found in which the glottis is closed at the same time as the mouth closure is made. Thus p, t, k are formed in the mouth and the vocal cords are brought together at the same time, that is a simultaneous glottal stop is made. The mouth closure is generally released half a second before the glottal closure: the double closure and release give a peculiarly sharp sound.
