Verb-and-predication focus markers in Gur
-
Anne Schwarz
Abstract
The article investigates the role of a group of cognate “ME”-particles in the complex focus systems of four Gur languages. On the basis of new data it is revealed that the particles have a presuppositional structure and mark narrow focus on the verb’s denotation or on verbal operators in varying degrees, depending on the language-specific interaction with other pragmatic particles and the aspectual system. The paper thus provides insights into the typology and dependency of verb-related foci, including truth-value focus, in less familiar languages.
Abstract
The article investigates the role of a group of cognate “ME”-particles in the complex focus systems of four Gur languages. On the basis of new data it is revealed that the particles have a presuppositional structure and mark narrow focus on the verb’s denotation or on verbal operators in varying degrees, depending on the language-specific interaction with other pragmatic particles and the aspectual system. The paper thus provides insights into the typology and dependency of verb-related foci, including truth-value focus, in less familiar languages.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction vii
- Information structure marking in Sandawe texts 1
- Topic and focus fields in Naki 35
- The relation between focus and theticity in the Tuu family 69
- Focus marking in Aghem 95
- On the obligatoriness of focus marking 117
- Focalisation and defocalisation in Isu 145
- Discourse function of inverted passives in Makua-Marevone narratives 165
- Topic-focus articulation in Taqbaylit and Tashelhit Berber 193
- Focus in Atlantic languages 233
- Topic and focus construction asymmetry 261
- Verb-and-predication focus markers in Gur 287
- Why contrast matters 315
- Focus and the Ejagham verb system 349
- Language index 377
- Subject index 379
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction vii
- Information structure marking in Sandawe texts 1
- Topic and focus fields in Naki 35
- The relation between focus and theticity in the Tuu family 69
- Focus marking in Aghem 95
- On the obligatoriness of focus marking 117
- Focalisation and defocalisation in Isu 145
- Discourse function of inverted passives in Makua-Marevone narratives 165
- Topic-focus articulation in Taqbaylit and Tashelhit Berber 193
- Focus in Atlantic languages 233
- Topic and focus construction asymmetry 261
- Verb-and-predication focus markers in Gur 287
- Why contrast matters 315
- Focus and the Ejagham verb system 349
- Language index 377
- Subject index 379
