Locality in WH Quantification

Questions and Relative Clauses in Hindi
1. Auflage. Softcover version of original hardcover Auflage 1996
ISBN: 978-90-481-4716-8
Verlag: Springer Netherlands

Buch, Englisch, Band 62, 252 Seiten, Paperback, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 411 g

Reihe: Studies in Linguistics and Philosophy

Locality in WH Quantification argues that Logical Form, the level that mediates between syntax and semantics, is derived from S-structure by local movement. The primary data for the claim of locality at LF is drawn from Hindi but English data is used in discussing the semantics of questions and relative clauses. The book takes a cross-linguistic perspective showing how the Hindi and English facts can be brought to bear on the theory of universal grammar.
There are several phenomena generally thought to involve long-distance dependencies at LF, such as scope marking, long-distance list answers and correlatives. In this book they are handled by explicating novel types of local relationships that interrogative and relative clauses can enter. A more articulated semantics is shown leading to a simpler syntax.
Among other issues addressed is the switch from uniqueness/maximality effects in single wh constructions to list readings in multiple wh constructions. These effects are captured by adapting the treatment of wh expressions as quantifying over functions to the cases of multiple wh questions and correlatives. List readings due to functional dependencies are systematically distinguished from those that are based on plurality.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Dayal, Veneeta

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Sprachwissenschaft Semantik & Pragmatik
• Geisteswissenschaften Sprachwissenschaft Computerlinguistik, Korpuslinguistik
• Geisteswissenschaften Sprachwissenschaft Einzelne Sprachen & Sprachfamilien

Inhaltsverzeichnis

I. Introduction. II. The Scope of Hindi Wh. III. Locality in Scope Marking. IV. Long-Distance List Answers. V. Relativization Structures in Hindi. VI. Relative Clauses as Definites. VII. Concluding Remarks. References. Author Index. Subject Index.