2. Accessibility and demonstrative operators in Basaá relative clauses
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Peter Jenks
Abstract
This paper shows that Basaa (A.43) possesses two relative clause strategies, one involving a gap and another a relative pronoun. The distribution of these two strategies follows the Accessibility Hierarchy (Keenan and Comrie 1977). Relative clauses in Basaa form a natural class with demonstrative modifiers, as they cannot co-occur in relative clauses involving a gap. This restriction does not obtain for relative clauses with the resumption strategy. We show that by adopting the head-raising analysis of relative clauses just for those relative clauses that include a gap; the complementarity of demonstratives and relative operators in Basaa follows. Thus, the Basaa facts provide a novel empirical argument for this analysis of relative clauses. We offer a diachronic perspective on these facts, suggesting the Basaa relative operator is at an intermediate stage of grammaticalization.
Abstract
This paper shows that Basaa (A.43) possesses two relative clause strategies, one involving a gap and another a relative pronoun. The distribution of these two strategies follows the Accessibility Hierarchy (Keenan and Comrie 1977). Relative clauses in Basaa form a natural class with demonstrative modifiers, as they cannot co-occur in relative clauses involving a gap. This restriction does not obtain for relative clauses with the resumption strategy. We show that by adopting the head-raising analysis of relative clauses just for those relative clauses that include a gap; the complementarity of demonstratives and relative operators in Basaa follows. Thus, the Basaa facts provide a novel empirical argument for this analysis of relative clauses. We offer a diachronic perspective on these facts, suggesting the Basaa relative operator is at an intermediate stage of grammaticalization.
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
