| Abstrakt: |
This study of syntax-pragmatics interface analyzes the meaning of two Cantonese question particles, namely me1 and ho2, and contrasts their felicity conditions with that of neutral questions. Both particles introduce complex speech acts which exercise two illocutionary forces (asserting and asking), contrary to neutral questions which are simple speech acts. Co-occurrence patterns of question particles, scope facts and clause-typing restrictions suggest that the addressee-oriented particle ho2 is higher than speaker-oriented me1 in syntax. A complex ForceP structure is proposed, in which a higher head FORCEA(ddressee) hosts ho2, while FORCES(peaker) hosts me1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
