Double negation-marking
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Klaus Beyer
Abstract
The paper presents data on a syntactic structure that combines two different markers to express sentential negation in a wide variety of languages all over West-Africa. As areal distribution of this ‘double negation-marking’ illustrates the non-genetic character of the feature, an explanation in terms of language-contact processes is put forward. I thus demonstrate that the repartition of double negation-marking can best be explained in terms of different grades of contact-induced grammaticalization. I will further argue that it is not just the double marking of negation that is the basic model for the contact-induced changes but also the special relation between negation and emphasis on the negated expression that forms the conceptual template for this type of negation.
Abstract
The paper presents data on a syntactic structure that combines two different markers to express sentential negation in a wide variety of languages all over West-Africa. As areal distribution of this ‘double negation-marking’ illustrates the non-genetic character of the feature, an explanation in terms of language-contact processes is put forward. I thus demonstrate that the repartition of double negation-marking can best be explained in terms of different grades of contact-induced grammaticalization. I will further argue that it is not just the double marking of negation that is the basic model for the contact-induced changes but also the special relation between negation and emphasis on the negated expression that forms the conceptual template for this type of negation.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
- Negation of non-indicative mood in Hausa, Fulfulde and Kanuri 7
- The impact of clause types and focus control, aspect, modality, and referentiality on negation in Lamang and Hdi (Central Chadic) 21
- Quantification and polarity 57
- Negation patterns in Kanuri 71
- Songhay verbal negation in its dialectal and areal context 93
- Negation in Jukun 107
- Negation marking in Igbo 121
- Aspects of discontinuous negation in Santome 139
- Negation in Gur 167
- Double negation-marking 205
- Negation in South Mande 223
- From double negation to portmanteau 261
- The system of negation in Berber 287
- Verb-object-negative order in central Africa 307
- Language index 363
- Name index 365
- Subject index 367
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
- Negation of non-indicative mood in Hausa, Fulfulde and Kanuri 7
- The impact of clause types and focus control, aspect, modality, and referentiality on negation in Lamang and Hdi (Central Chadic) 21
- Quantification and polarity 57
- Negation patterns in Kanuri 71
- Songhay verbal negation in its dialectal and areal context 93
- Negation in Jukun 107
- Negation marking in Igbo 121
- Aspects of discontinuous negation in Santome 139
- Negation in Gur 167
- Double negation-marking 205
- Negation in South Mande 223
- From double negation to portmanteau 261
- The system of negation in Berber 287
- Verb-object-negative order in central Africa 307
- Language index 363
- Name index 365
- Subject index 367
