Datapoint Bislama/Position of interrogative phrases in content questions

Fronting of the interrogative phrase is interpreted as rude and/or aggressive/accusatory.

Values

Interrogative phrase not initial Frequency: 75.0%

Example 23-22:
yu wantem karem wanem?
yu
2sg
wantem
want
karem
take
wanem?
what
What do you want to buy?

Source: Meyerhoff nd

Confidence:
Very certain

Interrogative phrase initial Frequency: 25.0%

Example 23-20:
folem wanem nao yufala i klem long hem?
folem
follow
wanem
what
nao
now
yufala
2pl
i
agr
klem
claim
long
loc
hem?
3sg
For what reason did you claim [it] from him?

Source: Meyerhoff nd

Example 23-21:
oli no save se wea mama?
oli
3pl
no
neg
save
know
se
comp
wea
where
mama?
mother
They don't know, where is their mother?

Source: Meyerhoff nd

Confidence:
Very certain