On the Representation and Operation of WH-questions

Abstract

This paper addresses the morphological of wh-expressions and the syntax of sh-questions in English and East Asian languages like Korean and Japanese. Chomsky(1995) and Tsai(1994) differ in analyzing the internal structure of wh-expresstion in English and Japanese. In Chomsky(1995), in contrast, the operator is represented as a feature in English, while as a null element in Japanese a la Watanabe (1992). In Tsai (1994), in constrast, the operator function is represented as a null operator across languages. We compare the theoretical implications and empirical coverage of the two theories and, based on the results of the comparisions, try to build up our own theory on the representation of wh-expresstions and its bearing on the question formation. In this paper the following two points will be argued: (i) Tsai's morphological structure is closer to the truth than Chomsky's when the internal structure of wh-expresstions across lanuages is more carefully examined and (ii) Tsai's structure on Japanese-type questions, however, need to be modified to accommodate the facts that his analysis fails to account for. More specifically, as far as the overt morphology of wh-expresstions is concerned, English and Korean/Japanese do not vary. Wh-expresstion are viewed as equally complex, in line with Tsai (1994) but contra Chomsky(1995). Unlike Tsai(1994), however, this paper proposes that the question operator in Korean/Japanese type languages be genertaed with a predicate.