Verb-and-predication focus markers in Gur

Abstract

The article investigates the role of a group of cognate "ME"-particles in the complex focus systems of four Gur languages. On the basis of new data it is revealed that the particles have a presuppositional structure and mark narrow focus on the verb's denotation or on verbal operators in varying degrees, depending on the language-specific interaction with other pragmatic particles and the aspectual system. The paper thus provides insights into the typology and dependency of verb-related foci, including truth-value focus, in less familiar languages.