The control marker na᷆ ~ na᷄w in Samba Leko, a language spoken in Cameroon – Nigeria
Résumé
The term na᷆ ~ na᷄ w can only appear clause-finally in Samba Leko. Depending on the instance, it belongs to paradigms of either locative postpositions or expressive particles and must therefore be considered polyfunctional in the terminology of Robert (2003). na᷆ ~ na᷄ w is identified by speakers as identical in all its attestations and is always glossed as 'in hand'. The interpretation of na᷆ ~ na᷄ w as an expression of control would need to be supported by further ethnolinguistic investigation but is still helpful for explaining its range of uses. The analysis of this term given in another paper is first summarized, and its implications in the wider context of Adamawa languages in general are then discussed.