230476 Syntax of questions (S) (WiSe 2025/2026)

The question "Who did you see?" is expressed differently in various languages:

(1)
a. Wen hast du gesehen? (German)
b. Qui as-tu vu? (French)
c. ¿A quién has visto? (Spanish)
d. nǐ kàn jiàn le shéi? (Mandarin)
e. Kit láttál? (Hungarian)

On the other hand, a single language can also exhibit multiple question strategies side by side:

(2) French
a. Qui as-tu vu?
b. Tu as vu qui?
c. Qui tu as vu?
d. Qui est-ce que tu as vu?

In this class, the various question strategies for forming polar questions (yes/no questions) and constituent questions (wh-questions) in different languages will be compared and analyzed. Particular focus will be placed on the syntactic and semantic representation and the interfaces with other linguistic domains (pragmatics, phonology, etc.).

Please note that the class will begin on October 28. The two missed sessions will be made up later in the term.