Comparative Tano Interrogative Syntax: The View from Krachi and Bono

This paper describes wh- question formation in two Volta-Comoe languages (Westermann and Bryan 1952, Greenberg 1963) of the Tano phylum. Specifically, we compare Bono, a Central Tano Akan language with Krachi, a North Guang language. Based on original fieldwork, we focus on four phenomena: (1) main clause wh- in-situ; (2) embedded clause wh- in-situ; (3) partial wh- movement; and (4) island-internal wh- in-situ. Comparing wh- question formation in these languages, we find that in most respects Bono patterns similarly to Krachi, yet in others it behaves more like Asante Twi. Given the genetic relationship between the Akan and North Guang branches, this raises the possibility that Bono has preserved interrogative constructions that have been lost in other Akan varieties, supporting a deeper genetic affiliation between the two branches. The paper is organized as follows. Section 2 provides a brief background on the two languages. Sections 3 and 4 focus on wh- in-situ in main and embedded clauses respectively. Section 5 investigates partial wh- movement, while Section 6 explores constraints on wh- movement by way of island-internal wh- in-situ and intervention effects. Section 7 summarizes and concludes the article. 2. Background on Krachi and Bono Speakers of Krachi (alternatively spelled “Kaakyi ” or “Krache”, among other variants) ar