In a number of creole languages we find constructions in which a general locative preposition combines with words denoting body parts or landmarks to form complex prepositional phrases. These structures have surfaced prominently in discussions of grammaticalization and substrate influence in creolization, but detailed synchronic descriptions of these structures in creoles are scarce. In particular, there is a lack of firm evidence with regard to the question whether the element denoting a body part or a landmark should be analyzed as a preposition, part of a compound preposition, a noun, or a postposition. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of these structures as they occur in one of Suriname's English-based creoles, Sranan. It is argued that the Sranan words baka (< English back) and tapu (< English top) are either nouns, or prepositions, depending on the construction in which they occur. Claims are rejected that they are postpositions or form complex prepositions. Finally, the reanalysis of the data in Jansen, Koopman, and Muysken (1978) and pertinent new data suggests that neither of the two prepositions may be stranded in wh-questions, topicalization, or relative clauses. © 1998 John Benjamins Publishing Company.
