Coordinated Wh-questions

Authors

  • Hironobu Kasai University of Kitakyushu

Abstract

From a cross-linguistic perspective, Citko and Gracanin-Yuksek (2013) propose that UG allows three structures for coordinated wh-questions (CWHs). One is a mono-clausal structure, while the other two structures involve a bi-clausal multi-dominant structure. Liptak (2011), however, argues that an ellipsis strategy is also necessary, in addition to those strategies. This paper focuses on Japanese CWHs, which have not received as much attention in the literature, and investigates which strategy is involved in Japanese. The paper presents three observations on Japanese CWHs. First is that a pronoun which refers to the wh-phrase in the first conjunct can possibly appear in the second conjunct. Second, Japanese CWHs do not allow pair-list interpretation, similarly to CWHs in other languages. Third is that possessor wh-phrases can be coordinated with pos-sessum wh-phrases. Based on these observations, this paper argues that the ellipsis approach pro-posed in this paper is a more plausible approach to Japanese CWHs than other alternatives.

Downloads

Published

2014-10-17