Left-adjoined correlatives as specificational pseudoclefts in Bangla

Abstract

This paper looks at specificational pseudoclefts as discussed in Akmajian (1970) and Higgins (1973) and compares them with correlative structures in Bangla, following Srivastav’s (1991) analysis for Hindi. It is shown that right-adjoined relative structures in Bangla cannot constitute specificational pseudoclefts while left-adjoined correlatives can. This is because the particular semantics and syntax of correlatives attributed by Srivastav are compatible with the characteristics given for specificational pseudoclefts in the literature. This also addresses the debate over base-generation vs derivational analyses of specificational pseudoclefts. Lastly, it also explains the obligatory occurrence of the quirky copula holo in these constructions.