Predication and NP structure in an omnipredicative language: The case of Khoekhoe

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21248/hpsg.2014.13

Abstract

We examine noun phrases and predication in Khoekhoe, a Central Khoisan language, arguing that members of all open word classes can function equally and without derivation as predicates, and that predicative use is primary and referential use is derived syntactically by relativization. We then present a formal HPSG analysis, in which members of all open word classes enter the syntax as predicates and in which all argument NPs are derived in a uniform manner as projections of pronominal elements, modified by relative clauses, building on Sag's (1997) analysis of English relative clauses. We will then argue that, additionally, DPs may project directly to clauses, yielding a second predication structure.

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Published

2014-10-13

How to Cite

Hahn, Michael. 2014. Predication and NP structure in an omnipredicative language: The case of Khoekhoe. Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Head-Driven Phrase Structure Grammar 238–258. (doi:10.21248/hpsg.2014.13) (https://proceedings.hpsg.xyz/article/view/821) (Accessed March 29, 2024.)