C-Type Negation Markers on the Right Edge

  • Enoch O. Aboh
Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Studies in Natural Language and Linguistic Theory book series (SNLT, volume 78)

Abstract

This paper shows that the Gbe languages involve both a pre-verbal and right edge position for encoding sentential negation. It is argued that the pre-verbal negation head a negative phrase (NegP) within the inflection domain. On the other hand, the right edge negative elements are modal elements belonging to the complementizer where they encode (negative) evidentiality. Like other left peripheral markers in Gbe, these negative markers surface to the right edge because they take wide scope over the proposition. Put differently, Neg°[C] attracts in its specifier, the proposition containing the narrow scope taking pre-verbal negative particle. The proposed analysis of negative sentences as peripheral modal elements leads to a fine characterization of the architecture of complementizer system and sheds a new light on the interactions between the C-system and the INFL-system.

Keywords

Embed Clause Main Clause Matrix Clause Negative Marker Functional Head 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  • Enoch O. Aboh
    • 1
  1. 1.Amsterdam Center for Language and CommunicationUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands

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