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Article published In: International Journal of Chinese Linguistics
Vol. 10:1 (2023) ► pp.44–75

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Wh-adjuncts in Chinese refutatory wh-sentences

 | Tsinghua University
ORCiD logo with link | Tsinghua University
Published online: 30 June 2023
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/ijchl.22005.yin
Abstract
The present study focuses on the refutatory wh-sentences in Chinese. The main idea is two-fold. First, contrary to the previous accounts arguing for the interrogative nature of refutatory sentences, we argue that refutatory wh-sentences exclude the interrogative force and should be distinguished from rhetorical questions accordingly. Second, we will show that all wh-words bearing the refutatory interpretation should occur as adjuncts, which are syntactically placed in the left periphery. Two subtypes of refutatory wh-adjuncts, namely, propositional refutatory wh-adjuncts and modal refutatory wh-adjuncts, are further classified in this study. The former is semantically akin to the pure negator bu, while the latter semantically relates to modality.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Previous studies towards refutatory wh-sentences
    • 2.1Interrogative approach
    • 2.2Non-interrogative approach
    • 2.3Distribution of refutatory wh-phrases
  • 3.Refutatory wh-sentences vs. interrogative wh-questions
    • 3.1Against the interrogative approach
    • 3.2Further evidence in support of the non-interrogative approach
    • 3.3Rhetorical questions are interrogative
    • 3.4Distinguishing refutatory wh-sentences from rhetorical questions
  • 4.Syntactic properties of refutatory wh-sentences
    • 4.1Wh-arguments vs. wh-adjuncts
      • 4.1.1Pure wh-arguments
      • 4.1.2Semi wh-arguments/wh-adjuncts
      • 4.1.3Pure wh-adjuncts
    • 4.2Two types of refutatory wh-adjuncts
      • 4.2.1A cartographic mapping of modality and negation
      • 4.2.2Propositional refutatory wh-adjuncts
      • 4.2.3Modal refutatory wh-adjuncts
      • 4.2.4The syntactic position of refutatory wh-adjuncts
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
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