User:Wikishmike/sandbox

Multiple Wh-Questions
In languages, a sentence can contain more than one wh-question. These interrogative constructions are called multiple wh-questions,

e.g:

Who ate what at the restaurant?

In the underlying syntax, the wh-phrase closest to Spec-CP is raised to satisfy selectional properties of the CP: the [+Q] and [+Wh-EPP] feature requirements of C. The wh-phrase further away from Spec-CP stays in its base position (in situ).

e.g:

[Whoi did you help  who  ti make what?]

This syntactic movement yields the sentence fronting of the closest wh-phrase and leaves the more remote wh-phrase in situ.

In the example above, the trace-movement [ti] indicates underlying movement of the closest wh-phrase: [who] is raised from its canonical position which, in the underlying syntax structure of this sentence, followed directly after the transitive verb [help], because the VP selects as its VP complement a direct object DP. The closest wh-phrase is raised to Spec-CP, while the further wh-phrase [what ] is kept in situ.

* -[insert relevant syntax tree]

* -Superiority Condition? (how to make overlap with Cassidy's entry??)

Multiple Wh-Questions in French
In French, multiple wh-questions have the following patterns:

a) In some French interrogative sentences, wh-movement can be optional. 

1.The closest wh-phrase to Spec CP can be fronted (i.e., moved to Spec CP from its covert base position in deep structure to its overt phonological form in surface-structure word order);

2. Alternatively, wh-phrases can remain in situ.

example: = 'What have you sent to who?'

In the above example, sentences (1) and (2) are both grammatical and share the same meaning in French. Here the choice of using one form of question over the other is optional; either sentence can be used to ask about the two particular DP constituents expressed by two wh-words. In French, the second sentence could also be used as an ' echo question '. By contrast, in English the grammatical structure of the second sentence is only acceptable as an 'echo question ': a question we ask to clarify the information we hear (or mishear) in someone's utterance, or that we use to express our shock or disbelief in reaction to a statement made by someone. For echo questions in English, it is typical for speakers to emphasize the wh-words prosodically by using rising intonation. These special instances of using multiple wh-questions in English are essentially "requests for the repetition of that utterance".

b) In other French interrogative sentences, wh-movement is required 

The option of using of wh-in situ in French sentences with multiple wh-questions is limited to specific conditions. There exists "a very limited distribution" of its usage.

French wh-in situ occurs only:


 * 1) in matrix clauses (aka, main clauses)
 * 2) these matrix clauses must not have an overt complementizer (i.e. complementizer is 'phonologically null')
 * 3) in 'short-distance' questions (i.e., wh-movement not blocked by an wh-island constraint, see Extraction Islands) --> **add link**

Wh-in situ usage is not allowed in French when these criteria are not met.

 Wh-in situ is not allowed:  correct form :

André a demandé quoi tu as mangé. = ' André has asked what you have eaten.' correct form:

Quoi tu as mangé? = ' What have you eaten?'  correct form:

Quoi Michelle et Pierre pensent-ils [que André a mangé]? = What do Michelle and Pierre think [that André has eaten]?'

In sum, the choice between wh-movement and wh-in situ in French sentences with multiple wh-questions is not arbitrary; the choice is constrained by specific conditions.