Semantics of obviation in Atchan: disjointness and long-distance obligatory binding

Abstract This paper documents and analyzes a contrast between two 3sg pronouns, the proximate and the obviative, in Atchan (Kwa, Côte d’Ivoire). I show that the obviative has a restricted distribution and restricted referential possibilities, both of which can be captured on a treatment of this pronoun as an obligatorily bound element. I develop a semantic account of this pronoun’s distinctive behaviors on which the obviative contains a presuppositional disjointness feature. I show that this account captures the anti-prominent orientation and restricted distribution of the obviative.