On Word Order and Gokana Object Position

This paper discusses word order in the object position of basic sentence constructions in Gokana. The paper adopts a descriptive analysis. Given the level of relatedness between Kana and Gokana, it is often assumed that both languages may have similar grammatical structure. But this paper shows that although both languages are similar, their grammatical structure differ significantly. The paper also shows that unlike Kana that permits a variation in word order of object pronouns, Gokana object pronouns have a strict post verbal linear order. The paper also argues that the basic direct object/indirect object linear order of Gokana double object construction exemplifies a linear sequence that is not common in the literature. The paper states that Gokana does not permit overt pronomalization in object position if the NP is not [+ANIMATE]. It argues that only covert pronominalization can occur in Gokana object position with [-ANIMATE] NPs. The paper claims that Gokana has a more generous domain of pronominalization in object position than Kana as all [+ANIMATE] NPs can be pronominalized in Gokana but only a more restricted [+HUMAN] NPs can undergo pronominalization in Kana.The paper also claims that Gokana has no grammatically morphologized gender distinctions in object position