On the form and interpretation of echo wh-questions

Abstract

We argue that echo wh-questions (EwhQs) are autonomous grammatical structures, and that their distinctive formal properties determine their semantics and pragmatics. Echo wh-sentences contain a wh-phrase in which the wh-element is narrowly focused, and a phrasal Q operator. Wh-phrase and Q operator determine a question semantics. Focus on wh determines the discourse appropriateness conditions for EwhQs, namely that an answer to the question be given in the context. A compositional analysis is provided that derives this interpretation.