Biclausal vs. monoclausal focus constructions in Tilapa Otomi

Enrique L. Palancar (1)

1 SeDyL - Structure et Dynamique des Langues

This paper tackles issues that involve distinguishing clefts from other monoclausal focus constructions when describing the syntax of lesser-known languages. I concentrate on Tilapa Otomi, which is the most endangered and the most morphologically conservative language of Otomi family; an Amerindian language family from Mexico that belongs to the Oto-Manguean phylum. In the paper, I propose that Tilapa Otomi has (at least) two specialized focus constructions: one that is a biclausal, thus a cleft, and another that is monoclausal, but which shares structure with clefts, to the extent that superficially could be taken to be an instance of a cleft with a zero copula.

Domaines: Sciences de l'Homme et Société

Enrique L. Palancar. Biclausal vs. monoclausal focus constructions in Tilapa Otomi. Faits de langues, In press, Clefts and other related focus constructions, 51 (2), pp.139-158. ⟨hal-03092496⟩