There are some differences on subject-auxiliary inversion in embedded questions between standard English and Belfast English. In standard English, the T-to-C movement like subject-auxiliary inversion is not allowed in embedded clauses in questions, but is possible in Belfast English embedded questions. Through the analysis of some relevant examples which are related to wh-agreement and wh-successive movement in English and other languages, it is argued that this contrast is related to the different feature composition of probes and goals of Cs and wh-words in the two Englishes. Especially, the existence of Q-feature in C is related to wh-movement. In addition to this, under the assumption that all features are working as a unit like a set under the Generalised One-Fell Swoop Principle, it is also argued that the incompleteness of the P-sets that probes in Cs contain allows the successive cyclic movement.
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Inversion in Embedded Questions in Belfast English
3. The Generalised One-Fell Swoop Principle
4. The Satisfaction with the Wh-Criterion for T-to-C Movement
5. The Nature of Probes and Goals of Cs in Wh-Questions
6. Conclusion
References
(0)
(0)