1.2.3.8. Multiple wh-signs in interrogatives

Multiple wh-interrogatives are questions with two non-identical wh-signs; thus, they ask for pair list answers. In LSC, there is a preference to move just one of the two wh-signs towards the end of the clause, leaving the other in situ.

 

a)         wh-object moved + wh-subject not moved

                              wh

            who buy what

            ‘Who bought what?’

 

b)        wh-subject moved + wh-object not moved

                  wh

            what buy who

            ‘Who bought what?’

(examples a-b based on Alba, 2016: 102)

 

Although both wh-signs can be located at the end of the sentence, this is dispreferred. Moreover, it is not possible to locate both wh-signs at the front of the clause.

 

                              wh

a)         buy who what

            ‘Who bought what?’

 

                             wh

b)        buy what who

            ‘Who bought what?’

(examples a-b based on Alba, 2016: 102)

 

If both wh-signs are located at the end of the clause, LSC prefers to leave the wh-object in a more peripheral position, preceded by the wh-subject. Example (a) right above, then, is preferred by LSC signers.