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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A Mono proverb states, “Water runs by itself, and thus it curves and bends.” In
other words, if you do something by yourself, you’ll get off-track. Even though my name
is on the title page of this dissertation, numerous people were involved in making it a
reality, and I would like to take a moment to thank them.
I am very grateful to my dissertation committee, John Goldsmith, Bill Darden,
and Karen Landahl. They have devoted an enormous amount of time and energy to my
work, have provided numerous insights and encouragements, and have challenged me to
pursue excellence. I am also grateful to Jim McCawley, who was briefly on my
committee before his sudden departure. We miss you, Jim.
The other faculty members at the University of Chicago have been helpful as
well. I wish to mention specifically Salikoko Mufwene, the department chair, who has
been very supportive and shares my interest in the country of Congo; Rich Janda, who
was one of the readers for my major field exam and devoted much time to me as a
student; and Gene Gragg, who encouraged me to pursue Olson (1996).
I have benefited from discussions with and comments from many other linguists
as this dissertation has taken shape. This includes (but is not limited to) Stephen C.
Anderson, Patrick Bennett, Jutta Blühberger, Mary Bradshaw, Mike Cahill, Rod Casali,
Nick Clements, France Cloarec-Heiss, Bruce Connell, Didier Demolin, Marcel Diki-
Kidiri, Bill Gardner, Joseph Greenberg, Barbara Grimes, Eric Hamp, Robert Hedinger,
Beth Hume, Roger Kamanda, Mark Karan, Peter Ladefoged, Myles Leitch, Connie
Kutsch Lojenga, Ian Maddieson, Steve Marlett, Rob McKee, David Morgan, Barbara
Need, Paul Newman, Doris Payne, Tom Payne, Rob Pensalfini, Geoffrey Pullum, Rich
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