Some General Characteristics of Interrogative Systems. Working Papers on Language Universals, No. 1.

This paper discusses interrogative structures, based on the results and conclusions derived from comparing the interrogative systems of 79 randomly selected languages. The paper begins by listing a number of generalizations about interrogative structures based on disparate observations in the field. These generalizations constitute the basis for undertaking the systematic research reported here. The paper is divided into the following sections: (1) Classification of Q(Question)-features, reflected in the organization of the rest of the paper; the classification is followed by a list of questions which the rest of the presentation attempts to answer; (2) Intonation (including other suprasegmentals)--among clause-level Q-features, intonation holds the first rank although it may be accompanied by some other Q-marker; (3) Inversion (and word order in general)--of one or more constituents of the sentence with respect to their normal declarative order, (4) Tags--another clausal type interrogative device, always clitic, usually enclitic to a sentence, (5) Interrogative Particles--the most widespread device after intonation, (6) Interrogative Words--such as WH words in English, and (7) Summary Statements--a recapitulation of the fundings on interrogative systems. The statements are valid for the language samples used in the study. Three appendices give summaries of findings and research methodology information. (Author/TL)