Datapoint Sango/Focusing of the noun phrase
Si and laa are used as highlighters. The particle laa with its variant la is used in many ways, only some of which are seen in the examples. It seems to me that its use is more elaborated (developed) than it was in the 1950s. I wonder if some of its uses reveal a merging with French la.
Values 
Cleft with focus particle after focus
Frequency: 50.0%
- Example 59-338:
-
ake melenge ti lo so adui na ya ti da ti kogaar ti lo aninga laa asigi na nda niakesm.copmelengechildtioflo3sgsoreldutism.sitnaprepyainsidetiofdahousetiofkogarain-lawtioflo3sganingasm.be.long.timelaafocasigism.come.outnaprepndaexplanationnidetIt was her child who lived in her in-law's house for a long time who explained the situation. OR: ... who explained what had happened.
Source: nd
- Confidence:
- Very certain
Fronting with particle after focus
Frequency: 50.0%
- Example 59-334:
-
eski mbi laa mbi tene na mo tene?eskiqmbi1sglaafocmbi1sgtenesaynaprepmo2sgtene?wordIs it I who said it to you?
- Example 59-335:
-
ni laa mbi kpe mbi ga sonidetlaafocmbi1sgkperunmbi1sggacomesothusThat's the reason I ran here.
- Example 59-336:
-
amafuta ta azo laa amu na loamafutapl.fattiofazopl.personlaafocamusm.givenapreplo3sgIt was pieces of fatty human flesh that he gave to her.
Source: nd
- Example 59-337:
-
kwe gi kwa laa?!kweeverythinggionlykwaworklaa?!focIs everything just work?!
Source: nd
- Example 59-339:
-
(ake) baba ti mbi si amu na mbi(a-ke)(pm-cop)babafathertiofmbi1sgsifoca-mupm-givenaprepmbi1sgIt was my father who gave it to me.
- Example 59-340:
-
so veni si i ken'sodemveniitselfsifoci1plken'rejectIt's this that we reject.
Source: Samarin 1967: 107
- Example 59-342:
-
koli ti mbi la apekolimantiofmbi1sglafocapenegIt's not my man (husband).
- Example 59-343:
-
zo wa la atene mo ga zo wa?!zopersonwawhatlafoca-tenepm-saymo2sggacomezopersonwa?!whatWho in the world told you to come?!
- Confidence:
- Very certain