Linguistics Colloquium: Harold Torrence, "A Lot of Questions: Investigating Wh-Interrogatives in Avatime"

Date: 

Monday, November 11, 2019, 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Location: 

Law School Auditorium, Boston University (767 Comm. Ave.)

"A Lot of Questions: Investigating Wh-Interrogatives in Avatime"

Abstract: This talk will take a close look at wh-question constructions in Avatime, an endangered Ghana Togo Mountain language, spoken in southeastern Ghana. Avatime is of interest because it employs four different wh-question strategies: wh-movement, wh in-situ, partial wh-movement, and a relative-like construction. Avatime wh-questions also make use of optional right- and left-edge question particles. This talk will consider some of the interpretive effects of these particles. Finally, the Avatime system will be compared to wh-interrogative formation in other West African Niger-Congo languages.

ORGANIZER: Boston University

WEBSITE: https://www.bu.edu/africa/events/calendar/?eid=232706