A Promotion Analysis of Wolof Clefts. (8th November 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Torrence, Harold
• Is Part Of: Syntax. Volume 16:Number 2(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 176
• Page End: 215
• Publication Date: 2012-11-08
• Subjects: Grammar, Comparative and general -- Syntax -- Periodicals; 415
• DOI: 10.1111/synt.12000
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-0005

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <bold>Abstract. </bold> This article investigates the syntax of cleft clauses in Wolof. I argue that Wolof clefts are derived by the movement of the clefted constituent to the cleft position. Evidence for the movement anlaysis comes from several general and language‐specific reconstruction tests: island sensitivity, idiom chunk reconstruction, reconstruction for Principle A and Principle C, quantifier binding, negative polarity item reconstruction, and the properties of Wolof subjunctive clauses and clitics. I compare Wolof clefts to English clefts throughout and, following work going back to <xref ref-type="link" rid="b80">Schachter 1973</xref>, suggest that English clefts are also derived by overt movement of the clefted item. Using quantifier float, clausal pied piping and a <italic>wh</italic>‐copy construction, I argue that movement of the clefted item in Wolof is successive cyclic. Finally, I examine the relation between movement, Superiority, and (Strong and Weak) Crossover by comparing Wolof, English, and Yoruba.</p> </abstract>