Work

On reconstruction effects in English wh-slifting: Theoretical and experimental considerations

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: In this paper, reconstruction for Binding Principles A and C will be (re)considered in wh-slifting, a construction which appears to associate a wh-interrogative clause with a yes/no-interrogative clause, whose predicate typically selects propositions rather than questions. While the current view is that both binding principles bleed in wh-slifting, a thorough examination of Principle C and experimental pilot findings for Principle A reported here suggest the exact opposite conclusion: Binding Principles A and C do not bleed in wh-slifting. To the extent that this conclusion is valid, it favors the hypothesis that a wh-interrogative clause reconstructs to the complement position of a proposition-selecting predicate. This, in turn, raises non-trivial questions about the syntax and semantics of clausal complement selection, which we leave unanswered.

Source: Glossa a journal of general linguistics

DOI: 10.5334/gjgl.717

Authors: Christos Vlachos, Nikoletta Christou, Kleanthes K. Grohmann

Institutions: University of Patras, University of Cyprus

Language: English

Topic: Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation

Subfield: Language and Linguistics

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $551

OpenAlex ID: W2997165180

FWCI:

Cites: 27

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Related to: 10