Maba (Maban, Mabang) is a Maban language spoken in Chad and Sudan. It is divided into several dialects, and serves as a local trade language. Maba is closely related to the Masalit language. Phonology Vowels /ɛ, ɛː/ and /ɔ, ɔː/ may be realized as more close [e, eː] and [o, oː], when found in open syllable positions. Vowels may also be marginally realized as nasal when in nasal environments. Consonants Stop sounds /b, t, k/ are heard as unreleased [p̚, t̚, k̚] when in word-final position. Sounds [p, h] are heard mostly as a result of loanwords. [z] is also mostly from Arabic loanwords, but also may occur in some native words as well. /t, d, ⁿd/ when preceding a tap /ɾ/, are then heard as retroflex [ʈ, ɖ, ᶯɖ]. /ɾ/ may also be heard as a trill [r] in free variation. References Further reading Mabaan dictionary Maban languages Languages of Chad