The expression of information structure in Kinyakyusa

This chapter presents strategies for the expression of topic and focus in sentences of Kinyakyusa (spoken in Tanzania and Malawi). In Kinyakyusa, there is no dedicated focus position immediately after the verb or elsewhere, and remarkably, focus may occur preverbally. Topic doubling, which is common in Kinyakyusa, can provide a verum, intensive or depreciative reading. Furthermore, the interpretation of the focused element in the cleft is mainly for identificational purposes. Lastly, Kinyakyusa has the V augment and CV prefix in the nominal structure. The CV prefix is an exhaustive marker.