Abstract
It is argued that a theory of the semantics of 'wh'-expressions, and 'wh'-pro-forms in particular, should not only fit the semantics of 'wh'-interrogatives. It should also provide a simple and unified cross categorial semantics for 'wh'- which takes into account the semantics of morphologically and cross-linguistically plausible paradigm-mates, while deriving rather than stipulating the correct types for traces/variables, and allowing 'in-situ' interpretation. Accordingly, it is proposed that 'wh'-pro-forms are variants of demonstratives, with 'wh'- a proximity value next to PROXIMAL or DISTAL (or rather: their unvalued counterpart). The familiar phenomenon of deferred reference with demonstratives is taken to underlie the crosscategorial semantics of demonstratives, hence that of 'wh'-expressions as well. 'Wh'-expressions end up functioning as unselectively bound, presuppositionally restricted variables.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of Sinn und Bedeutung |
| Editors | Maria Onoeva, Anna Staňková, Radek Šimík |
| Place of Publication | Prague |
| Publisher | Charles University |
| Pages | 554-570 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Volume | 27 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 30 Nov 2023 |