The Distribution of Wh-word in Single Wh-Questions in Persian

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sharifipur shirazi ahmadreza; RAHIMIAN JALAL

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Journal: ZABANPAZHUHI (Iranian Journal of Language Research) Year:2019 | Volume:11 | Issue:31 Page(s): 129-150

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Information Journal Paper

Title

The Distribution of Wh-word in Single Wh-Questions in Persian

Author(s)

sharifipur shirazi ahmadreza | RAHIMIAN JALAL | Issue Writer Certificate

Keywords

Wh-word distributionQ1

RemergeQ1

Scope-markingQ1

Focus frontingQ1

CopulaQ3

Interpretation systemsQ3

Externalization systemsQ3

Abstract

By investigating the distribution of wh-word in single Wh-questions in Persian through a qualitative method in terms of the theory of Derivational Approach (Epstein et al., 1998) and Feature-Free Syntax (Boeckx, 2015) we intend to explain why wh-word is necessarily in situ. in some sentences and why its movement is optional in others. In this study, based on the distribution of wh-words, we put languages into two different categories: fixed wh-word and non-fixed wh-word. Languages like English and Japanese in which wh-word appears in just one place (either in situ. or non-in situ. ) are put in the first category, and languages like Persian in which wh-word appears in a variety of positions are put in the second category. By combining this classification with Scope-marking (Pesetsky, 1987) (in which it is believed that each quantifier (such as wh-word) must have a scope) and Remerge (Zhang, 2004) (in which it is believed that the movement of α is not the process of “ copy+ merge+ delete” , but a simple Remerge of α ), we suggest that converting a statement into a wh-question is related to conceptual-intentional systems and we can achieve it by resorting to merge, Remerge and the related interpretation in conceptual-intentional systems without resorting to morphological features. Besides, we show that forming a wh-question is not the matter of being a wh-in situ. language or a non-wh-in situ. language, but is the matter of scope marking. By accepting the compulsory merger of wh-word in two positions in Persian, we naturally admit that the movement of wh-word is compulsory as well. Since if no Remerge process happens, wh-word cannot extend its scope over the whole sentence, and as a result, no wh-question will be formed. Accordingly, we show that merger of wh-word in two positions is compulsory, just one of which must be pronounced, however: A. an in situ. position and B. the position in which the wh-word can scope mark the whole sentence. We, also discuss the factors which determine the pronunciation of one of those merged wh-words. By taking a look at Persian related data, we understand that each merged wh-word enjoys the same chance of being pronounced and if we just resort to articulatory-perceptual systems, then, we must make some arguments in favor of those wh-words which can be pronounced in both in-situ. and non-in-situ. positions. Meanwhile, if we put all these issues into discourse, the problem we face is those wh-words which are only pronounced in the in-situ. position. Accordingly, we resort to a mixed solution in which both articulator-perceptual systems and discourse related issues are observed. As a result, by reinterpreting the Focus fronting as a triggering factor for pronunciation of the higher merged wh-word, we hold that, according to discourse, if an element which is not the already established “ matter of current concern” , becomes “ the matter of current concern” or becomes more relevant to the already established “ matter of current concern” ; then, the Interpretation systems detect wh-word as a structure which is susceptible to Focus fronting. This detection and interpretation sends instructions to Externalization systems, and they accordingly, pronounce the highest Remerged wh-word. As a result, we cannot take Focus fronting as a triggering factor for Remerge (or movement). This shows that the pronunciation of the highest merged wh-word is the result of the interaction between Interpretation systems and Externalization systems. Accordingly, we formalize “ the principle of pronouncing the highest wh-word” as follows: The principle of pronouncing the highest wh-word: In a language the Externalization systems pronounce the highest wh-word, if; A) The language is a non-fixed wh-word, B) The Interpretation systems detect the wh-word as a structure which is susceptible to Focus fronting. ** In case B does not happen, wh-in situ. will be pronounced We also investigate into the structures with Copulas in which a wh-word is adjacent to a Copula and indicates that presence or absence of the Copula with a whword can be a significant factor in pronouncing the highest merged wh-word. Accordingly, we formalize “ the revised principle of pronouncing the highest whword” as follows: The principle of pronouncing the highest wh-word alone: In a language the Externalization systems pronounce the highest wh-word alone, if; A) The language is a non-fixed wh-word, B) The Interpretation systems detect the wh-word as a structure which is susceptible to Focus fronting, C) Wh-word is not the sister of Copula. ** In case B or C does not happen, wh-in situ. will be pronounced. By resorting to the above-mentioned approach that is, by utilizing merge, Remerge, the interpretation of the conceptual-intentional systems and the interaction between these systems and the Externalization systems (articulatory-perceptual system), and without referring to morphological features, we can analyze the movement of wh-word as both optional and obligatory in a unified manner.

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APA: Copy

sharifipur shirazi, ahmadreza, & RAHIMIAN, JALAL. (2019). The Distribution of Wh-word in Single Wh-Questions in Persian. JOURNAL OF ZABANPAZHUHI, 11(31 ), 129-150. SID. https://sid.ir/paper/187922/en

Vancouver: Copy

sharifipur shirazi ahmadreza, RAHIMIAN JALAL. The Distribution of Wh-word in Single Wh-Questions in Persian. JOURNAL OF ZABANPAZHUHI[Internet]. 2019;11(31 ):129-150. Available from: https://sid.ir/paper/187922/en

IEEE: Copy

ahmadreza sharifipur shirazi, and JALAL RAHIMIAN, “The Distribution of Wh-word in Single Wh-Questions in Persian,” JOURNAL OF ZABANPAZHUHI, vol. 11, no. 31 , pp. 129–150, 2019, [Online]. Available: https://sid.ir/paper/187922/en

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