서강대학교

초록/요약

This thesis investigates wh-constructions in Tagalog within the framework of the Minimalist Program (Chomsky, 1995 and subsequent work). I introduce basic aspects of Tagalog grammar. Then, the type of wh-phrases is classified into argument and adjunct wh-phrases. To account for the structure and interpretation of argument wh- constructions, some approaches from previous research are introduced, and pseudo-cleft construction are adopted. I also adopt the following proposals. The left periphery of embedded wh-questions contains a split-CP layer in the sense of Rizzi (1997, 2001) as well as a RELATOR phrase to indicate predication (den Dikken 2006). Based on these, I propose that when wh-constructions are embedded, an RP is inserted between ForceP and IntP to explain the word order including a phonologically null operator. It is also observed that there are islands effects in wh-constructions and relative clauses. Given that lower wh-phrases in bi-clausal multiple wh-questions remain in-situ with either embedded or matrix scope, this paper provides an analysis that unselective binding leads to the proper interpretation of wh-construction.