Constituent question formation and focus: A new typological perspective

Louise Mycock

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

All languages have strategies which enable speakers to ask constituent ('wh'-) questions. Of the strategies available, three types based on the notion of movement are usually cited in the literature: in situ, multiple fronting, and simple fronting. However, data reveal that focusing is the defining characteristic of constituent question formation cross-linguistically. This paper therefore adopts a different approach, presenting a unified analysis within the non-derivational framework of Lexical-Functional Grammar which captures the relevant generalisations about focusing and in turn provides a fresh perspective on the typology of constituent question formation strategies. © The author 2007.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)192-251
Number of pages59
JournalTransactions of the Philological Society
Volume105
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2007

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