A Study on Syntactic Phenomena Related to Multi-WH Questions

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  • 多重WH構文の統語現象に関する一考察
  • 多重WH構文の続語現象に関する一考察
  • タジュウ WH コウブン ノ ゾク ゴ ゲンショウ ニ カンスル イチ コウサツ

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Abstract

It is generally believed that WH-phrases contained in the multi-WH questions seen both in Japanese and English are licensed by the syntactic process of the phrases moving to the representation level of the logical form (LF). In this paper, we will propose a checking theory named CP-head checking by regarding licensing requirements as independent of LF movements of WH-phrases. Under the minimum condition of the matrix CP head m-commanding WH-phrases, they are licensed. Correct grammatical interpretation of the WH-phrases will be obtained through feature agreements and satisfaction of the number of CP-checked WH-phrases, the whole of which process leads to the overall semantic justification of the whole sentence. We have given CP-head checking to WH questions classified in terms of how many WH-phrases are generated in which clause (matrix or subordinate). As a result we successfully solved some of the so-far unsolved problems like the inconsistency often pointed out in Japanese WH-questions: The particle "ka" functions as an island in LF movement though not an island in the movement within S-structure. The CP checking has been found workable enough to give more principled explanation to unsolved problem areas than other similar theories.

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