On the Typology of Wh-Questions. Outstanding Dissertations in Linguistics Series. Data from multiple fronting languages lead Cheng to an investigation of the interpretation and inherent properties of wh-words in a number of languages. Chapter 2 introduces the Clausal Typing Hypothesis. Question particles and overt wh-movement, both of which identify a clause as an interrogative, are thus mutually exclusive.
Every clause needs to be typed.
The two available strategies are illustrated by Mandarin Chinese and English, respectively. At LF, wh-phrases move to SpecCP for scope, selection and absorption purposes. Chapter 3 discusses optional and multiple wh-fronting languages which present a challenge to the Clausal Typing Hypothesis. It is thus not surprising that the interpretation of a wh-word in a multiple fronting language can vary with its context. In Chapter 4 Cheng examines wh-words in Mandarin Chinese and analyses them as polarity items which require both a trigger and a binder for interpretation, cf.