10. Relative clauses in Wawa
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Marieke Martin
Abstract
Wawa is an endangered Mambiloid language of Cameroon, spoken by about 3000-5000 people and comprising four major dialects. In Wawa, relative clauses (RCs) consist of a relative marker, a verb (and an object if the verb is transitive), as well as a relative determiner or the associative clitic; further nominals and complements can be added but are not compulsory. There is a distinction between restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses, using two different markers; ki for restrictive and kə́ for non-restrictive RCs. Every NP constituent in a sentence can be relativised. Wawa RCs feature common cross-linguistic characteristics, e.g. the relative marker/pronoun strategy. Subject and object RCs are additionally marked by a gap, while possessor and indirect object focused RCs follow the resumptive pronoun strategy. In addition, Wawa RCs show different verbal morphology to that of main clauses.
Abstract
Wawa is an endangered Mambiloid language of Cameroon, spoken by about 3000-5000 people and comprising four major dialects. In Wawa, relative clauses (RCs) consist of a relative marker, a verb (and an object if the verb is transitive), as well as a relative determiner or the associative clitic; further nominals and complements can be added but are not compulsory. There is a distinction between restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses, using two different markers; ki for restrictive and kə́ for non-restrictive RCs. Every NP constituent in a sentence can be relativised. Wawa RCs feature common cross-linguistic characteristics, e.g. the relative marker/pronoun strategy. Subject and object RCs are additionally marked by a gap, while possessor and indirect object focused RCs follow the resumptive pronoun strategy. In addition, Wawa RCs show different verbal morphology to that of main clauses.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Preface v
- Contents ix
- Abbreviations xi
- 1. Kaleidoscopic variations on grammatical themes: Relative clauses in Bantoid languages of Cameroon 1
- 2. Accessibility and demonstrative operators in Basaá relative clauses 17
- 3. The augment as a construct form marker in Eton relative clause constructions 47
- 4. Relative clauses and relativization processes in Nugunu 67
- 5. Kenyang relative clauses 89
- 6. Relative clause in (Western) Ejagham 119
- 7. A prolegomenon to the syntax of the relative clause in the Eastern Grassfields Bantu borderland 145
- 8. Relative clause constructions in two Yemne-Kimbi languages 169
- 9. Relative clauses in Vute grammar and discourse 209
- 10. Relative clauses in Wawa 233
- 11. Conclusion 261
- References 267
- Index 277
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Preface v
- Contents ix
- Abbreviations xi
- 1. Kaleidoscopic variations on grammatical themes: Relative clauses in Bantoid languages of Cameroon 1
- 2. Accessibility and demonstrative operators in Basaá relative clauses 17
- 3. The augment as a construct form marker in Eton relative clause constructions 47
- 4. Relative clauses and relativization processes in Nugunu 67
- 5. Kenyang relative clauses 89
- 6. Relative clause in (Western) Ejagham 119
- 7. A prolegomenon to the syntax of the relative clause in the Eastern Grassfields Bantu borderland 145
- 8. Relative clause constructions in two Yemne-Kimbi languages 169
- 9. Relative clauses in Vute grammar and discourse 209
- 10. Relative clauses in Wawa 233
- 11. Conclusion 261
- References 267
- Index 277
