Phonological Phrases in Kikuyu

This study examines two different floating L tones (L) in Kikuyu (Bantu E51): A lexical L and a phrasal L which appears in assertive utterances. Based on previous studies, this paper proposes a unified analysis of the domain of the two floating L tones within the syntax-phonology interface. The main claim is that they attest different strategies to trigger downstep at the right edge of a phonological phrase while no downstep is triggered internally of this domain. New data and different configurations with nominal modifying adjectives is discussed with the outcome that adjectives which follow other modifiers phrase alone. This is conform with the proposed analysis when taking the syntax of adjectives in Kikuyu into consideration.