TY  - JOUR
A1  - Amaechi, Mary Chimaobi
A1  - Georgi, Doreen
T1  - On optional wh-/focus fronting in Igbo
BT  - a SYN-SEM-PHON interaction
JF  - Zeitschrift für Sprachwissenschaft
N2  - This paper discusses surface optionality in focus fronting in the Benue-Congo language Igbo. A focused XP can occur in-situ or ex-situ. We argue that the optionality does not have its origins in the syntax: in fact, exactly one focused XP has to move to the designated focus position in the left periphery in the syntax. The alternation between in-situ and ex-situ rather arises at PF: either the lowest or the topmost copy of the focus chain is pronounced. The choice is determined by semantic-pragmatic factors, i. e., we see an interaction between PF and LF. This constitutes a challenge for a strict version of the Y-model of grammar.
KW  - (A)over-bar-movement
KW  - focus realization
KW  - PF-optionality
KW  - Y-model
KW  - copy
KW  - pronounciation
KW  - Benue-Congo languages
Y1  - 2020
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1515/zfs-2020-2017
SN  - 0721-9067
SN  - 1613-3706
VL  - 39
IS  - 3
SP  - 299
EP  - 327
PB  - De Gruyter
CY  - Berlin
ER  -