The overarching goal of the project is to investigate the VP-periphery of the
Mabia languages, especially the syntax and semantics of the particles in this domain in interaction with other aspects of the verbal morphology. The project has three main research areas:
- Typology, function and interpretation of the VP-peripheral particles
- Syntax of the VP-periphery
- In-situ focus
Examples of some VP-particles
|
|
Function |
| Language |
Particle |
Focus |
Aspect |
CJ/DJ |
other |
| Dagbani |
la |
✔ |
✘ |
✔ |
copula |
| Dagbani |
mi |
✔ |
✘ |
✔ |
|
| Dagaare |
la |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
affirmation |
| Buli |
ya |
✔ |
✔ |
✘ |
|
| Buli |
kama |
✔ |
✘ |
✘ |
|
| Buli |
la |
✘ |
✘ |
✘ |
determiner |
| Buli |
me |
✔ |
✘ |
✔ |
|
| Gurune |
la |
✔ |
✘ |
✔ |
determiner |
| Gurune |
me |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
| Gurune |
ya(a) |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
| Likpakpaanl |
le |
✔ |
✘ |
✔ |
|
| Likpakpaanl |
la |
✔ |
✘ |
✔ |
|