On the Form and Interpretation of Echo Wh-Questions. (28th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beck, Sigrid; Reis, Marga
• Is Part Of: Journal of semantics. Volume 35:Number 3(2018:Aug.)
• Page Start: 369
• Page End: 408
• Publication Date: 2018-06-28
• Subjects: Semantics -- Periodicals; Semantik; Semantics; Periodicals; 401.43
• DOI: 10.1093/jos/ffy002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-5133

Abstract

Abstract: We argue that echo wh -questions (E wh Qs) are autonomous grammatical structures, and that their distinctive formal properties determine their semantics and pragmatics. Echo wh -sentences contain a wh -phrase in which the wh -element is narrowly focused, and a phrasal Q operator. Wh -phrase and Q operator determine a question semantics. Focus on wh determines the discourse appropriateness conditions for E wh Qs, namely that an answer to the question be given in the context. A compositional analysis is provided that derives this interpretation.