The present thesis proposes a novel analysis for wh-questions in Cypriot Greek (henceforth CG). It examines properties of CG wh-questions which have not been addressed in the literature and investigates the asymmetries these interrogatives are assumed to display. In view of the discrepancies which exist in the literature with respect to the properties of CG wh-questions, a controlled experimental study was conducted in the framework of this research, in order to resolve these discrepancies and provide us with an insight to the grammar of CG wh-questions. On the basis of the findings of this study, I propose a mono- clausal analysis for embu wh-questions in CG. I argue that the difference between prestige norm and dialectal wh-structures lies in the overt and null realization of a C head, embu. Adopting a Split-CP analysis, I argue that embu in CG interrogatives is a Wh head. I show that this analysis accounts for the distribution of sentential adjuncts and negative markers in these interrogatives. With respect to the asymmetries between CG wh-questions, I argue that these can be formally accounted for. I propose that the obligatory occurrence of 'mbu in inda wh- arguments and sluices derives from the fact that 'mbu, unlike embu, is not a Wh head. I argue that inda and 'mbu have been reanalyzed into a wh-element, indambu. In view of the sluicing data examined in the study as well as other cross-linguistic data, I propose a novel analysis for sluicing, according to which, ellipsis derives from the Non-Transfer of strong phases to the Phonological Component.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:550258 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Kanikli, Antri |
| Publisher | University of York |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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