The Distribution of Wh-word in Single Wh-Questions in Persian

By investigating the distribution of wh-word in Single Wh-Questions in Persian through a qualitative method in terms of the theory of Derivational Approach and Feature-Free Syntax, we intend to explain why wh-word in some sentences is necessarily in situ. and why its movement is optional in others. Based on the distribution of wh-word, we put languages into two different categories: fixed wh-word and non-fixed wh-word, and accordingly, put Persian in the second category. By combining this classification with scope-marking and remerge, we suggest that merger of wh-word in two positions is compulsory. Furthermore, we argue that the interaction between interpretation systems and externalization systems determines the pronunciation of one of those merged wh-words. Meanwhile, by reinterpreting the focus fronting as a triggering factor for pronunciation of the higher merged wh-word and by studying the structures with copulas, we argued that the presence/absence of a copula with a wh-word can be a significant factor in pronouncing the highest merged wh-word alone. Accordingly, we formalized "principle of pronunciation of the highest wh-word" and showed that contrary to existing approaches regarding wh-word in Persian, the movement of wh-word as both optional and obligatory can be analyzed in a unified manner.