Downstep and Phonological Phrasing in Sandawe

Sandawe, a Khoisan language spoken in Tanzania, exhibits downstep between words.

In this paper, I examine the domain, or the phonological phrase, where downstep takes place and the effects of focus on phonological phrasing within the framework of Alignment Theory (Selkirk 1995, Truckenbrodt 1995, 1999).

I propose a constraint *Focus-RightEdge that prohibits a phonological boundary that immediately follows a focused constituent. I also address the theoretical issues of branching categories and phonological phrasing.

I provide a preliminary analysis in terms of a condition on Spell-Out within the framework of Multiple Spell-Out theory (Chomsky 2001a, b, Collins 2001a, b, Uriagereka 1999).