Abstract
The paper explores the focus marker si 7 and lexicalization of the syntagm si 7 mih 8 into what wh-words in earlier Southern Min texts. S 7 shows a dual role functioning both as copula and focus marker. It can be a focus marker of a wide range of syntactic categories and, among others, a focus marker of subjects and objects expressing new information. As attested in texts, this is due to information structure constraints; focus is marked by si 7 as opposed to topic as a dislocated sentence-initial element carrying old information. It is found that context or sentence processing provides a clue as to whether si 7 is a focus marker or loses its independent status and becomes a desemanticized part of the lexicalized what wh-word si 7 mih 8 Textual evidence lends support to a thesis featuring a three-stage development of si 7 mih 8 in Southern Min that bears on the development of shi 4 -wu 4 in earlier Modern Chinese. Southern Min shows a measure of conservatism in the lexicalization of.