Focus In Hausa

This book investigates the morphosyntax, semantics and discourse properties of focus and wh-constructions in Hausa, and introduces readers to aspects of the syntax of a major world language unfamiliar to most linguists.



Represents the first detailed and comprehensive exposition of focus related constructions in Hausa from the perspective of a major contemporary theoretical framework

Explores aspects of the syntax of focus in Hausa which have only recently begun to be described

Authoritative and up-to-date, detailing recent developments in the theory, and reviewing and evaluating a number of current approaches to the syntax of focus constructions and non-verbal copular clauses

Contains comparative data from related Chadic/Afroasiatic languages

Serves to introduce readers to aspects of the syntax of a major world language unfamiliar to most linguists.

Melanie Green is Lecturer in Linguistics and English Language at the University of Sussex. She studied both Hausa and linguistics at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, and specialises in syntactic theory and the syntax of Hausa and related Chadic and Afroasiatic languages. Her current research interests include typological and comparative work, particularly in relation to the syntax of focus and related constructions. She is co-author of Cognitive Linguistics: An Introduction (2006) with her colleague Vyvyan Evans.

Preface.
Acknowledgements.
List of tables.
Abbreviations, symbols and transcription.
1 Introduction.
1.1 Aims and overview.
1.2 The data.
2 The Hausa language.
2.1 Introduction.
2.2 Hausa linguistics.
2.3 Main linguistic features.
2.3.1 Phonology.
2.3.2 Word order and the verbal-inflectional complex.
2.3.3 Non-verbal clauses.
2.3.4 The noun phrase.
2.3.5 Null subjects and objects.
2.3.6 Modal/adverbial particles.
2.4 Wh-type constructions.
2.4.1 Relative clauses.
2.4.2 Wh-questions.
2.4.3 Focus constructions.
3 Focus in generative grammar.
3.1 Introduction.
3.2 The generative framework.
3.2.1 Philosophical assumptions.
3.2.2 The transformational model.
3.2.3 X-bar syntax.
3.2.4 The Minimalist Program: Merge, Move and Agree.
3.3 What is focus?.
3.3.1 Semantics and pragmatics.
3.3.2 Structural features and typology.
3.4 Generative theories of focus.
3.4.1 Syntax-based theories.
3.4.2 Prosody-based theories.
3.4.3 Model of focus assumed in the present study.
4 Focus constructions.
4.1 Introduction.
4.2 Focus fronting: descriptive facts.
4.2.1 Focus fronting.
4.2.2 Focus versus topic.
4.2.3 Focus fronting versus clefting.
4.3 Focus fronting: the FP analysis.
4.3.1 Proposal.
4.3.2 Empirical evidence.
4.3.3 Theoretical issues.
4.4 Wh-fronting.
4.5 Special inflection.
4.5.1 Special inflection in Hausa: descriptive facts.
4.5.2 Special inflection in Hausa: theoretical issues.
4.6 Focus/wh-in situ.
4.6.1 Wh-in situ: descriptive facts.
4.6.2 Focus in situ: descriptive facts.
4.6.3 Exploring a form–function correlation.
4.6.4 Multiple focus/wh-constructions.
4.6.5 Extending the FP analysis.
4.7 Conclusions.
5 Copular constructions.
5.1 Introduction.
5.2 Non-verbal copular sentences: the data.
5.2.1 Morphosyntactic features.
5.2.2 Specification and predication: descriptive terminology.
5.2.3 Predicational copular sentences in Hausa.
5.2.4 Specificational/equative copular sentences in Hausa.
5.3 The evolution of né/cé.
5.4 Extending the FP analysis.
5.4.1 Proposal.
5.4.2 Empirical evidence.
5.4.3 Theoretical issues.
5.4.4 Summary.
5.5 Conclusions.
6 A cross-linguistic perspective.
6.1 Introduction.
6.2 Focus constructions.
6.2.1 Chadic.
6.2.2 Arabic.
6.2.3 Hebrew.
6.2.4 Coptic Egyptian.
6.2.5 Summary.
6.3 Copular/non-verbal clauses.
6.3.1 Typology of copular sentences.
6.3.2 Chadic.
6.3.3 Arabic.
6.3.4 Hebrew.
6.3.5 Coptic Egyptian.
6.3.6 Summary.
6.4. Conclusions.
7 Summary and conclusions.
References.
Indexes