Focalisation and defocalisation in Isu
Information structure in Isu is encoded by a variety of morphosyntactic strategies, involving markers of focalisation and defocalisation, both interacting with a syntactic pattern where the relative position vis-à-vis the finite verb plays a crucial role. In most of its properties, the Isu system closely parallels the one found in Aghem. However, there are some differences relating to form and distribution of defocalising enclitic markers on nouns. This opens a low-level diachronic perspective on the phenomenon and illustrates intermediary stages of a pragmatico-syntactically motivated transition from an earlier prefix marking system of noun classes towards a system in which prefixes fade out and noun classes come to be predominantly marked by enclitics which have not (yet) made it to suffixes.
Cited by (3)
Cited by three other publications
Kießling, Roland
2021.
Grammatical Hybridity in Camfranglais?. In
Youth Language Practices and Urban Language Contact in Africa,
► pp. 115 ff.
Akumbu, Pius W. & Roland Kießling
2020.
expression of diminutivity in Central Ring Grassfields Bantu.
Afrika und Übersee 93
► pp. 257 ff.
Good, Jeff
2012.
How to become a “Kwa” noun.
Morphology 22:2
► pp. 293 ff.
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