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
