here - 5th International Conference on Bantu Languages

Preverbal focus strategies in Kikongo: a preliminary typology
Jasper De Kind, Gilles-Maurice de Schryver & Koen Bostoen (KongoKing Research Group, Ghent University)
As part of recently started PhD research on the expression of IS in Kikongo, dedicated fieldwork was carried out
on focus strategies in a number of Kikongo varieties of the Lower Congo Province in the DRC (August-September
2012). In contrast to eastern and southern Bantu languages, w<strong>here</strong> postverbal focusing strategies have been
abundantly reported, Kikongo tends to focus arguments by moving them into the preverbal domain. Such is the
case in other closely related western Bantu languages w<strong>here</strong> preverbal focusing strategies have recently been
described (Bostoen & Mundeke 2012). In this paper, we aim to provide a typology of focus positions in the
preverbal domain with special attention for micro-variation in IS strategies across the Kikongo dialect continuum.
Preliminary research points out that both new information and contrastive argument focus happen preverbally.
However, different kinds of arguments tend to be focused in different linear positions in the clause. Objects are
focused in IBV position (1).
(1) Ncyá cìlíílì nkhóngà? Ngùlùngù kàlíílì [Ciwoyo]
ncya ci-li-ili N-konga N-gulungu ka-li-ili
What PP7-eat-PFV NP9.hunter NP9.antelope SC1-eat-PFV
‘What did the hunter eat?’ ‘He ate an antelope’
Peripheral arguments are also focused in the preverbal domain, but not necessarily IBV (2-3):
(2) Bwé lìsòdádì kàlììlíílì ? Nzácì nzácì kalììlíílì [Ciwoyo]
bwe li-sodadi ka-li-il-ili? Nzaci nzaci ka-li-il-ili.
how NP5-soldier SC1-eat-APPL-PFV rapidly rapidly SC1-eat-APPL-PFV
‘How did the soldier eat?’ ‘He ate rapidly.’
(3) Kà kyúmà àdììdíídì? Mù lótò àdììdíídì [Kisolongo]
ka ki-uma a-di-id-idi? mu loto a-di-id-idi.
with NP7-thing SC1-eat-APPL-PVF NP18 spoon SC1-eat-APPL-PVF
‘With what did the woman eat?’ ‘She ate with a spoon.’
As is illustrated in the examples above, the focalization of peripheral arguments commonly involves
applicativization, as was observed in other Bantu languages (Creissels 2004; De Kind & Bostoen 2012).
Argument focus in the preverbal domain corresponds to predicate focus, w<strong>here</strong> by the focalized finite verb is
preceded by its infinitive (4).
(4) Sónìkà kákà bàsónìkénì [Kimbeko]
Ø-sonik-a kaka ba-sonik-idi
NP15-write-FN only SC2-write-PFV
‘They only wrote (a rapport).’
References:
Bostoen, K. & L. Mundeke. 2012. Subject marking, object-verb order and focus in Mbuun (Bantu, B87), Southern African
Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, 30:2, 139-154.
Creissels D. 2004. Non-canonical applicatives and focalization in Tswana. Paper presented at Syntax of the World’s
Languages, Leipzig. Available at: http://email.eva.mpg.de/~cschmidt/SWL1/handouts/Creissels.pdf [accessed 15 March 2012].
De Kind, J. & K. Bostoen. 2012. The Applicative in ciLubà Grammar and Discourse: A Semantic Goal Analysis. Southern
African Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, 30:1, 101-124.
GS