Wh-movements in both English Language and Jordanian Arabic : a comparative study

Abstract EN

This research paper addresses a particular type of wh movement; namely, focus wh-movement, which targets a different landing site in comparison with the normal wh movement (Lee, 2001:10).

In the former, a proposed interrogative wh-phrase moves to the specifier position (Spec) of the focus phrase (FocusP), whereas in the latter the fronted wh-phrase lands in the Spec of the force Phrase (ForceP).

This research argues for the existence of focus wh movement in Jordanian Arabic (henceforth, JA).

In addition, it draws a comparison between JA and English which exhibit this kind of wh-movement with difference pertaining to the type of wh questions (either direct or indirect).

Additionally, this research argues the notion that Spec of FocusP serves as a landing site for focus wh-movement (like English) and an intermediate landing site for the normal wh-movement (unlike English).