Abstract
Question-sensitive discourse particles (QDiPs) like German denn introduce non-at-issue meaning that intuitively reshapes the Force of the interrogative clause. QDiPs have interesting licensing conditions: While Q-operators do not license QDiPs across clause boundaries, embedded QDiPs can be licensed if the wh-element was moved from the clause containing the QDiP. We present the results of two rating and two self-paced reading studies, with the following main results. First, outright licensing violations cause strong effects. Second, for embedded DiPs, a mild increase is found in processing cost for successful long-distance licensing. Third, effects for violations of syntactic locality are surprisingly weak in offline and online measures. We discuss two potential ways to account for the last findings. On the one hand, we consider an explanation in terms of processing errors. On the other hand, we offer a characterization of pragmatic aspects of QDiP licensing via focus association that may contribute to non-syntactic/non-semantic QDiP licensing.
Highlights
Glossa: a journal of Discourse particles in German are words that intuitively reshape the illocutionary force of an utterance
All DiPs have a non-DiP reading, and their reading crucially depends on context. Another interesting property is that DiPs are sensitive to clause type, with certain types of DiPs being dependent on occurring in declaratives or interrogatives
There is no visible increase in reading times for licensed Question-sensitive discourse particles (QDiPs) compared to nonQDiPs, suggesting that any potential processing load associated with successful QDiP licensing is not strong enough to surface in the current experiment with comparatively easy structures
Summary
Glossa: a journal of Discourse particles (in the following, DiPs) in German are words that intuitively reshape the illocutionary force of an utterance. All DiPs have a non-DiP reading, and their reading crucially depends on context. Another interesting property is that DiPs are sensitive to clause type, with certain types of DiPs being dependent on occurring in declaratives or interrogatives (question-sensitive discourse particles, or QDiPs). QDiPs are subject to a number of different licensing constraints, forming a long-distance dependency at the interfaces of syntax, semantics and pragmatics. There is a long tradition in studying QDiPs in syntax and semantics, very little is known about their role in processing
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
