Lingala

Lingala is a Bantu language primarily spoken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. It serves as both a native language and a lingua franca in the region, facilitating communication among diverse ethnic groups. Lingala has a rich musical and cultural significance, especially in popular music like soukous. It uses a Latin-based alphabet and has distinctive tonal features that influence meaning. As a vibrant and evolving language, Lingala reflects the history and social identity of the Congolese people while playing a key role in everyday life, media, and art.