The paper describes the main phonetic characteristics (acoustic, aerodynamic and articulatory) of Kinyarwanda prenasalized stops, focussing on voiceless consonants. We conclude from instrumental observations that the phonetic description of these sounds should be redefined. Consonants previously described as voiceless prenasalized stops in Rwanda are in fact whispery voiced nasal stops. Finally, the paper shows that the description of these sounds raises several important questions about nasal venting and the control of the velum closure.
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