The expression of information structure in Rukiga

Abstract

This chapter offers a systematic descriptive analysis of the various strategies the

language uses to express information structure in Rukiga. Notably, word order

is determined primarily by discourse roles, the augment on modifiers encodes a restrictive reading, and predicate doubling is associated with a contrastive interpretation among other multiple readings. The particle -o functions as a contrastive topic marker, which is often used in topic doubling constructions to reinforce a given interpretation. Although there is a tonal remainder of the conjoint/disjoint alternation, in Rukiga, it does not directly influence information structure. Rukiga also uses three types of clefts, a common strategy used to express focus as in many other languages of the world.