The morphosyntax of wolof clefts
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Harold Torrence
Abstract
This paper examines the structure and derivation of cleft clauses in the Atlantic language Wolof, which possesses distinct clefts for subjects and nonsubjects. I argue that the clefts are based on two syntactically distinct copular constructions. In the subject cleft, the copula occurs with a TPstructure. In the nonsubject cleft, the copula occurs with a CPlike structure. In terms of derivation, I argue that Wolof clefts involve overt movement of the clefted constituent, not base generation. I show that Wolof clefts are islandsensitive using general and Wolofspecific tests. I then present evidence from a number of reconstruction tests that converge on the conclusion that clefted items in Wolof undergo A’movement. Keywords: A’- movement; wh-movement; reconstruction; copula; cleft; focus; left periphery; Niger-Congo; Atlantic
Abstract
This paper examines the structure and derivation of cleft clauses in the Atlantic language Wolof, which possesses distinct clefts for subjects and nonsubjects. I argue that the clefts are based on two syntactically distinct copular constructions. In the subject cleft, the copula occurs with a TPstructure. In the nonsubject cleft, the copula occurs with a CPlike structure. In terms of derivation, I argue that Wolof clefts involve overt movement of the clefted constituent, not base generation. I show that Wolof clefts are islandsensitive using general and Wolofspecific tests. I then present evidence from a number of reconstruction tests that converge on the conclusion that clefted items in Wolof undergo A’movement. Keywords: A’- movement; wh-movement; reconstruction; copula; cleft; focus; left periphery; Niger-Congo; Atlantic
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors vii
- Introduction 1
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Part I. Specificational/predicational clefts
- Predication and specification in the syntax of cleft sentences 35
- Wh -clefts and verb-initial word order in Austronesian languages 71
- (Pseudo)clefts at the syntax-prosody-discourse interface 97
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Part II. Monoclausal/biclausal analyses
- Clefts in Durban Zulu 141
- The cleft pronoun and cleft clause in English 165
- The morphosyntax of wolof clefts 187
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Part III. The focus potential of clefts
- Multiple focus and cleft sentences 227
- Recursion of FocP in Malayalam 251
- Multiple Wh-questions and the cleft construction in Malayalam 269
- Cleft partitionings in Japanese, Burmese and Chinese 285
- Italian clefts and the licensing of infinitival subject relatives 319
- Language index 343
- Subject index 345
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors vii
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Specificational/predicational clefts
- Predication and specification in the syntax of cleft sentences 35
- Wh -clefts and verb-initial word order in Austronesian languages 71
- (Pseudo)clefts at the syntax-prosody-discourse interface 97
-
Part II. Monoclausal/biclausal analyses
- Clefts in Durban Zulu 141
- The cleft pronoun and cleft clause in English 165
- The morphosyntax of wolof clefts 187
-
Part III. The focus potential of clefts
- Multiple focus and cleft sentences 227
- Recursion of FocP in Malayalam 251
- Multiple Wh-questions and the cleft construction in Malayalam 269
- Cleft partitionings in Japanese, Burmese and Chinese 285
- Italian clefts and the licensing of infinitival subject relatives 319
- Language index 343
- Subject index 345
