Universal #1678
Legacy number: 1678
| Number | 1673 |
| Original | In most VSO languages, the question particle (corresponding to the English if/whether) does not appear in Wh word questions. |
| Standardized | IF basic word order is VSO, THEN the question particle (corresponding to the English if/whether) does not appear in WH word questions. |
| Formula | VSO ⇒ no question particle in Wh word questions |
| Keywords | order, VOS, question particle, Wh-question |
| Domain | syntax |
| Type | implication |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | statistical |
| Basis | languages mentioned in Kuno, including Japanese, Korean, Turkish, German, French, Tagalog, Persian |
| Source | Kuno 1974: 135 |
Discussion
Counterexamples
Tagalog (W. Malayo-Polynesian, Austronesian) moves Wh words obligatorily to the clause initial position and still retains the question particle (Kuno 1974: 135, ftn. 19).
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