Block 27 · pages 249-268

Chapter 4: Focalization and Interrogatives

4.7.2 Focalization

Focalized constituents are fronted immediately before the verbal word, uttered with higher pitch. Subject focus uses the particle nə- (ən- before CV-shaped MAN markers) replacing the subject clitic. Pronouns take independent form (e.g., aɣáy nə-b-d(á)-a 'it's me who puts it'). Object focus fronts the constituent without a resumptive pronoun (e.g., áŋga aɣa-kkár 'it's him I hit'). Adpositional complements are fronted as a whole (e.g., aɣáy / nín s(e) aɣa-kkóy-kat 'as for me, it's for you that I came'). Instrumental focus uses a relative-like strategy: noun + ayo + ənda (e.g., a-ná-ẓ-may aɣó (ə)nda bor-én i-f-ṭáaṭab 'it's with a needle that people sew'). Verb focus preposes the bare verb stem (not the verbal noun) (e.g., yíʃɣəl aɣa-bb-ə́ʃɣəl 'I am WORKING'). Adverbial NPs are fronted (e.g., tə́ffak ar-tə-mə́qqəs néeda 'it's tomorrow that we will meet here').

4.7.3 Interrogatives

4.7.3.1 Yes/no questions

Polar questions use interrogative intonation or optional particles ák (Menaka) or igán (Talatayt) preceding the clause (e.g., ák i-bíyaɣ i-ttén 'have the water skins arrived?').

4.7.3.2 Tag questions

Tag questions use wiji 'is not' at the end of a statement (e.g., Mussa a-ttén wiji? 'Mussa has arrived, hasn't he?').

4.7.3.3 WH questions

WH questions use three basic roots: ci 'who/what', man 'which/where', and maana 'where (close)'.

4.7.3.3.1 ci 'who?/what?'

ci replaces the subject clitic (e.g., cí mmáay-a 'who owns him?') or combines with the 'be'-connector na (e.g., cí n(á)-a 'what's wrong?'; cí ná ay-n mân 'what is his name?'). With aɣo it asks for a human (e.g., cí ná aɣo ni-gguná sénda ka 'whom did you see there?'). With ho it assumes a non-human referent (e.g., cí ná hó ni-b-hurrú 'what are you looking for?').

4.7.3.3.2 cí (ná hó) be 'why?'

Literally 'on what (thing)'. (e.g., cí ná hó be ni-b-zóɣ ənda ní-n baba 'why are you arguing with your father?').

4.7.3.3.3 c(i) agúd 'when?'

ci + agúd 'time' (e.g., c(i) agúd a-ddidá 'when did he leave?').

4.7.3.3.4 maana 'where (close by)?'

Fusion of man + na 'be'. Used for items in close vicinity (e.g., maaná ni-n húgu 'where is your tent?').

4.7.3.3.5 man ne 'where?'

man 'which' + ne 'place'. Used for unknown locations, directly followed by an inflected verb (e.g., mán n(e) i-f-kó 'where are they going?'). Can be followed by a fronted postposition (e.g., mán ne k(a) aɣa-ttáŋga-kat-í 'from where did I push them?').

4.7.3.3.6 man ícet 'how much/many?'

Tamasheq loan (e.g., man ícet feej-án a-ddáy-an 'how many sheep did he sell?').

4.7.3.3.7 man ə́mmək aɣo (ə)nda 'how?'

Literally 'which manner with which...' (e.g., man ə́mmək aɣó (ə)nda ar-tə-nə́-m-aŋɣa ənda bəkáw-yan 'how are we going to fight the jinns?').

Keywords : focalization subject focus object focus instrumental focus verb focus interrogatives yes/no questions tag questions wh-questions ci man maana