Trapped at the edge: On long-distance pair-list readings

Abstract

This paper discusses a pair-list reading which we call the trapped pair-list reading, arising in long distance questions with three wh-phrases, two of which are embedded within a subordinate clause. Under the trapped pair-list reading, all three whs are answered, but only the two whs trapped inside the embedded clause can be paired. Based on evidence from a language with (overt) multiple wh-movement (Romanian), we argue that (lists of) trapped pair-list readings in English involve covert multiple partial wh-movement. On this proposal, trapped pair-list readings raise, for multiple partial wh-movement, the same canonical scope paradox that single partial wh-movement raises, since on the relevant list reading, all three whs have semantically wide, matrix scope, though syntactically, the (only) two whs that can be paired are trapped at the periphery of the subordinate clause. We suggest that this paradox can be resolved by extending Sternefeld (2001) and Lipták and Zimmermann's (2007) Indirect Dependency Approach to single partial-movement to multiple partial-movement. The basic insight driving this proposal is that the subordinate whs can be paired independently of the matrix wh because the subordinate clause can be interpreted as a multiple question on its own.