Concealed Pseudo-clefts

Authors

Ileana Paul, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2001

Volume

111

Issue

10

Journal

Lingua

First Page

707

URL with Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0024-3841(00)00044-9

Last Page

727

Abstract

This paper argues for a pseudo-cleft analysis of so-called clefts in Malagasy. Evidence is presented that the clefted element is in fact the matrix (copular) predicate and that the pre-suppositional clause is a headless relative in subject position. The proposed pseudo-cleft structure accounts for the focus interpretation of this construction, due to the underlying presence of a definite description in the subject position.

Notes

Dr. Ileana Paul is currently a faculty member at The University of Western Ontario.