Wh-Subjects, Intervention Effects, and Structural Dependencies

초록

This paper investigates the syntax of wh-subjects in English, as in Who left?, a long-standing topic of debate in the literature. While traditional approaches assume that wh-subjects move to SpecCP, I adopt and refine Bošković’s (2024) proposal that they move to a lower mixed A/A′ position, SpecA/A′P, in the EPP domain. I argue that, despite the absence of overt movement to SpecCP, wh-subjects must nevertheless establish structural dependencies with the interrogative C. Specifically, I propose that the interrogative C selects the A/A′ head and enters into an Agree relation with the wh-phrase in SpecA/A’P, thereby yielding wh-interpretation. The resulting dependency between C and A/A’ captures intervention effects induced by intervening operators. It also provides a more explicit account of restrictions on aggressively non-D-linked wh-subjects, such as who the hell, in embedded clauses. Finally, I suggest that constraints such as anti-locality and derivational economy prevent wh-subjects from undergoing further movement from SpecA/A’P to SpecCP.

키워드