On optional wh-/focus fronting in Igbo: A SYN-SEM-PHON interaction
This paper discusses surface optionality in focus fronting in the Benue-Congo language Igbo. A focused XP can occur in-situ or ex-situ. We argue that the optionality does not have its origins in the syntax: in fact, exactly one focused XP has to move to the designated focus position in the left peri...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | deu |
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De Gruyter
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Zeitschrift für Sprachwissenschaft |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1515/zfs-2020-2017 |
| _version_ | 1818880644567007232 |
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| author | Amaechi Mary Georgi Doreen |
| author_facet | Amaechi Mary Georgi Doreen |
| author_sort | Amaechi Mary |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper discusses surface optionality in focus fronting in the Benue-Congo language Igbo. A focused XP can occur in-situ or ex-situ. We argue that the optionality does not have its origins in the syntax: in fact, exactly one focused XP has to move to the designated focus position in the left periphery in the syntax. The alternation between in-situ and ex-situ rather arises at PF: either the lowest or the topmost copy of the focus chain is pronounced. The choice is determined by semantic-pragmatic factors, i. e., we see an interaction between PF and LF. This constitutes a challenge for a strict version of the Y-model of grammar. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T14:49:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1c1b885b8451428ca98ffc4e38c99f6f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0721-9067 1613-3706 |
| language | deu |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T14:49:15Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | De Gruyter |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Zeitschrift für Sprachwissenschaft |
| spelling | doaj.art-1c1b885b8451428ca98ffc4e38c99f6f2022-12-21T20:16:53ZdeuDe GruyterZeitschrift für Sprachwissenschaft0721-90671613-37062021-02-0139329932710.1515/zfs-2020-2017zfs-2020-2017On optional wh-/focus fronting in Igbo: A SYN-SEM-PHON interactionAmaechi Mary0Georgi Doreen1University of Ilorin, Department of Linguistic and Nigerian Languages, Ilorin, NigeriaUniversität Potsdam, Department Linguistik, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Potsdam, GermanyThis paper discusses surface optionality in focus fronting in the Benue-Congo language Igbo. A focused XP can occur in-situ or ex-situ. We argue that the optionality does not have its origins in the syntax: in fact, exactly one focused XP has to move to the designated focus position in the left periphery in the syntax. The alternation between in-situ and ex-situ rather arises at PF: either the lowest or the topmost copy of the focus chain is pronounced. The choice is determined by semantic-pragmatic factors, i. e., we see an interaction between PF and LF. This constitutes a challenge for a strict version of the Y-model of grammar.https://doi.org/10.1515/zfs-2020-2017ā-movementfocus realizationpf-optionalityy-modelcopy pronounciationbenue-congo languages |
| spellingShingle | Amaechi Mary Georgi Doreen On optional wh-/focus fronting in Igbo: A SYN-SEM-PHON interaction Zeitschrift für Sprachwissenschaft ā-movement focus realization pf-optionality y-model copy pronounciation benue-congo languages |
| title | On optional wh-/focus fronting in Igbo: A SYN-SEM-PHON interaction |
| title_full | On optional wh-/focus fronting in Igbo: A SYN-SEM-PHON interaction |
| title_fullStr | On optional wh-/focus fronting in Igbo: A SYN-SEM-PHON interaction |
| title_full_unstemmed | On optional wh-/focus fronting in Igbo: A SYN-SEM-PHON interaction |
| title_short | On optional wh-/focus fronting in Igbo: A SYN-SEM-PHON interaction |
| title_sort | on optional wh focus fronting in igbo a syn sem phon interaction |
| topic | ā-movement focus realization pf-optionality y-model copy pronounciation benue-congo languages |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1515/zfs-2020-2017 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT amaechimary onoptionalwhfocusfrontinginigboasynsemphoninteraction AT georgidoreen onoptionalwhfocusfrontinginigboasynsemphoninteraction |