Focus in Hausa

This book investigates the morphosyntax, semantics and discourse properties of focus and wh-constructions in Hausa, and introduces readers to aspects of the syntax of a major world language unfamiliar to most linguists. Represents the first detailed and comprehensive exposition of focus related constructions in Hausa from the perspective of a major contemporary theoretical framework Explores aspects of the syntax of focus in Hausa which have only recently begun to be described Authoritative and up-to-date, detailing recent developments in the theory, and reviewing and evaluating a number of current approaches to the syntax of focus constructions and non-verbal copular clauses Contains comparative data from related Chadic/Afroasiatic languages Serves to introduce readers to aspects of the syntax of a major world language unfamiliar to most linguists.

Melanie Green is Lecturer in Linguistics and English Language at the University of Sussex. She studied both Hausa and linguistics at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, and specialises in syntactic theory and the syntax of Hausa and related Chadic and Afroasiatic languages. Her current research interests include typological and comparative work, particularly in relation to the syntax of focus and related constructions. She is co-author of Cognitive Linguistics: An Introduction (2006) with her colleague Vyvyan Evans.