The present Mputu orthography system for Kikongo was created in the 1920s, inspired by a mass movement in African nations (particularly Manden) to reform their Latin orthographies. It was recognized by the Kingdom of Kongo in 1939 and became official in 1957.
IPA
Letter
IPA
Letter
IPA
Letter
m
m
n
n
ŋ
ng
ᵐp
mp
ⁿt
ṭ
ᵑk
nq, nk, nc
ᵐb
mb
ⁿd
ḍ
k
q, k, c
p
p
t
t
g
g
b
b
d
d
j
y, i
ᶬf
mf
ⁿs
ṣ
i
i
ᶬv
mv
ⁿz
ẓ
u
u
f
f
s
s
e
e
v
v
z
z, s
o
o
w
u
l
l
a
a
In order to clarify pronunciation, /buːi/ is often transcribed as bu'i with an apostrophe, while /bwi/ is transcribed as bui, without one.
/w/ at the start of a word followed by a vowel is transcribed as o, as in Oembo (/wembo/).
In the Kisolongo and Kizombo dialects, the sound /v/ is often pronounced /β/ and may be written as bh.
In Portuguese and Spanish sources, k may be spelled qu, reflecting old Castilian orthography.
Comparison of Capuchin (1652) and Mputu (1957) orthographies