A Promotion Analysis of Wolof Clefts

Abstract.  This article investigates the syntax of cleft clauses in Wolof. I argue that Wolof clefts are derived by the movement of the clefted constituent to the cleft position. Evidence for the movement anlaysis comes from several general and language‐specific reconstruction tests: island sensitivity, idiom chunk reconstruction, reconstruction for Principle A and Principle C, quantifier binding, negative polarity item reconstruction, and the properties of Wolof subjunctive clauses and clitics. I compare Wolof clefts to English clefts throughout and, following work going back to Schachter 1973 , suggest that English clefts are also derived by overt movement of the clefted item. Using quantifier float, clausal pied piping and a wh ‐copy construction, I argue that movement of the clefted item in Wolof is successive cyclic. Finally, I examine the relation between movement, Superiority, and (Strong and Weak) Crossover by comparing Wolof, English, and Yoruba.