ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the sound segments of Kikuyu at both the phonetic and orthographic levels of representation. It shows that the language still has major phonological and orthographical aspects that need to be standardized in order for the written language form to be fully developed. Kikuyu is one of the languages said to be more advanced in terms of academic research and study. It is therefore plausible to state that other Kenyan languages are in dire need of study if written Kikuyu still has the aforementioned shortcomings. One of the shortcomings that have been explores the dropping of the nasal in some cases. The chapter suggests that this does not seem plausible in Kikuyu and that in fact, the reverse, pre-nasalization, is a more natural process in the language. Another problem involves the use of double vowels in orthography.
