Baka (Tara Baka) is a Central Sudanic language of South Sudan, with the majority living in an area centered on Maridi, South Sudan, but also a couple thousand speakers in the DRC. It has consonants with trilled release such as /dr/ and /ɡ͡bʙ/.

A 2013 survey reported that the Baka were the largest ethnic group in Maridi County, South Sudan. They also live in Baka Boma, Tore Payam, Yei County, South Sudan.

Phonology

Consonants

LabialAlveolarAlveopalatalVelarLabiovelar
Stopvoicelessptckkp
voicedbdggb
prenasalizedmbndŋgŋmgb
implosiveɓɗ'y
Nasalmnɲŋ
Trillvoicelesstrkʙ̥
voicedʙdr
prenasalizedndrŋmgʙ
Fricativevoicelessfs
voicedvz
prenasalizednvnz
Flapⱱ̟rř
Laterall
Semivowelwy

Vowels

(-ATR)
FrontCentralBack
Highʟʊ
Lowɞaɔ

Neutral vowel: ɨ

(+ATR)
FrontCentralBack
Highiu
Loweəo