consonant is partially denasalized, rather than actually having an oral release.) No language is believed to contrast the two types of consonant, which are distinguished primarily by a difference in timing (a brief nasal followed by longer stop, as opposed to a longer nasal followed by brief stop).

Geographic distribution

Africa

The Bantu languages are famous for their prenasalized stops (the "nt" in "Bantu" is an example; see also North Teke),

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