Pre-verbal focus in Kisikongo (H16a, Bantu)

Kisikongo, a western Bantu language spoken near Mbanza Kongo (Angola), exhibits a rare clause-internal pre-verbal argument focus position, contrasting with the post-verbal focus typical of eastern and southern Bantu languages. This study identifies distinct mono-clausal and bi-clausal strategies—including cleft-constructions—for focusing arguments, expanding known linguistic patterns in the Kikongo Language Cluster (KLC). Research leveraged comparative analysis with neighboring Mbuun and Nsong dialects to highlight regional syntactic variations, offering new insights into Bantu linguistic diversity.

De Kind, J. (2014). Pre-verbal focus in Kisikongo (H16a, Bantu). ZAS Papers in Linguistics, 57, 95–122. https://doi.org/10.21248/zaspil.57.2014.421