1.2.1.2. Word order changes between declaratives and polar interrogatives
There are no word order [Syntax 2.3] changes between declarative sentences [Syntax 1.1] and polar interrogatives in DGS; both normally use the word order SOV (subject, object, verb), as shown in examples below. The only way to distinguish declaratives as in a) and polar interrogatives as in b) is by the means of the aforementioned non-manual markers.
a. poss1 mom tomorrow come
‘My mom comes tomorrow.’
y/n
b. poss1 mom tomorrow come
‘Does my mom come tomorrow?’
Also, as in declaratives as in the example above, constituents can be moved to the beginning of the interrogative to put them in topic position as shown below.
top
a. tomorrow poss1 mom come
‘Tomorrow, my mom comes.’
top re
b. tomorrow poss1 mom come
‘My mom comes tomorrow?’
In these instances, in addition to the raised eyebrows that mark polar interrogatives, the eyes are opened wide in order to emphasize the constituent in focus.
Another phenomenon, that occurs with polar interrogative is the so-called subject pronoun copy [Syntax 2.2.1.3], where the subject pronoun of the sentence is repeated at the end of the sentence as in the example below. This is not obligatory, but rather used as a means of emphasis.
y/n
ix2 sign^language learn ix2
‘Are you learning DGS?’