vP infinitives in Wolof: On Ā-movement to Spec vP
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Date
2021-10-19
Authors
Newman, Elise
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Abstract
This paper compares two Wolof adjunct clauses, analyzed as relative clauses and purpose clauses respectively, whose comparison is proposed to demonstrate a case of Ā-movement that terminates at the edge of vP. These adjunct clauses are very similar on the surface and have analogous Ā-dependencies. Despite this similarity, these clauses appear to be different sizes. Evidence from clitic climbing and the distribution of aspect markers suggests that relative clauses are full CPs, while purpose clauses are bare vPs in Wolof. The fact that both clause types can have Āchains with the same profile indicates that Ā-movement must be able to terminate at Spec vP in purpose clauses in the absence of a higher probe. This requires a theory in which Ā-movement to Spec vP is independent of further movement to Spec CP. Constituency tests further support an analysis of purpose clauses in Wolof as parasitic gap constructions.
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Wolof, vP infinitives, Ā-movement