<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The traditional observation that Chinese <italic>wh</italic>-arguments do not exhibit <italic>wh</italic>-island effects may be only apparent. With new evidence from “how-many” phrases, it is demonstrated that Chinese has <italic>wh</italic>-island effects even with <italic>wh</italic>-arguments. What nullifies such effects is in fact the disguise of D-linkedness. Although the lack of <italic>wh</italic>-island effects seems to pattern Chinese <italic>wh</italic>-construals with Japanese ones, further tests show that these two languages are still different with respect to strong island effects, (anti-)crossing effects, and multiple <italic>wh</italic>-interpretations. The finding leads to the need to reinvestigate the mechanisms underlying the scope-taking <italic>wh-</italic>elements of <italic>wh</italic>-in-situ languages on the one hand, and those triggering <italic>wh</italic>-island effects on the other.</p>
</abstract>

The traditional observation that Chinese wh-arguments do not exhibit wh-island effects may be only apparent. With new evidence from “how-many” phrases, it is demonstrated that Chinese has wh-island effects even with wh-arguments. What nullifies such effects is in fact the disguise of D-linkedness. Although the lack of wh-island effects seems to pattern Chinese wh-construals with Japanese ones, further tests show that these two languages are still different with respect to strong island effects, (anti-)crossing effects, and multiple wh-interpretations. The finding leads to the need to reinvestigate the mechanisms underlying the scope-taking wh-elements of wh-in-situ languages on the one hand, and those triggering wh-island effects on the other.

Rethinking <italic>Wh</italic>-island Effects in Chinese

Studies in Chinese Linguistics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":{"italic":"Wh","content":["Rethinking","-island Effects in Chinese"]}}

The traditional observation that Chinese wh-arguments do not exhibit wh-island effects may be only apparent. With new evidence from “how-many” phrases, it is...

Rethinking Wh-island Effects in Chinese

Pubblicato online: 18 gen 2022

Pagine: 161 - 182

Ricevuto: 26 ago 2020

Accettato: 08 set 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/scl-2021-0005

Parole chiave
-island effect, D-linking, -in-situ, strong island effect

© 2021 Barry C.-Y. Yang et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Rethinking Wh-island Effects in Chinese

Pubblicato online: 18 gen 2022

Pagine: 161 - 182

Ricevuto: 26 ago 2020

Accettato: 08 set 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/scl-2021-0005

Parole chiave-island effect, D-linking, -in-situ, strong island effect

© 2021 Barry C.-Y. Yang et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Parole chiave
-island effect, D-linking, -in-situ, strong island effect