Datapoint Berbice Dutch/Position of interrogative phrases in content questions

In-situ questions are only very rarely attested, and only under specific discourse conditions. Fronting of wh-phrases is virtually obligatory. A fronted wh-phrase is optionally marked for focus.

Values

Interrogative phrase initial Frequency: 90.0%

Example 28-27:
wat ju nintəbotau?
wati
what
ju
2sg
nimi-tɛ
know-pfv
about
about
tau?
snake
What do you know about snakes?

Source: Kouwenberg 1994: 40

Example 28-28:
wanɛsə ju ma ritanga?
wanɛrɛ
when
so
FOCUS
ju
2sg
mu-a
go-ipfv
rita
Rita
anga?
loc
When are you going to Rita's?

Source: Kouwenberg 1994: 41

Example 28-29:
waskolo jɛndɛ mangja?
waskolo
why
jɛndɛ
2pl
mangi-a?
run-ipfv
Why are you (all) running?

Source: Kouwenberg 1994: 42

Confidence:
Very certain

Interrogative phrase not initial Frequency: 10.0%

Example 28-30:
ju mwa bof ʃi an ju ma kom wanɛ? fridak?
ju
2sg
mu-a
go-ipfv
bofu
top
ʃi
side
an
and
ju
2sg
ma
irr
kumu
come
wanɛrɛ?
when
fridaka?
Friday
You are going upriver and you are coming back when? Friday?

Source: Kouwenberg 1994: 44

Example 28-31:
aʃi en mangitɛ maŋtɛ mutɛ wanga?
aʃi
if
eni
3pl
mangi-tɛ
run-pfv
mangi-tɛ
run-pfv
mu-tɛ
go-pfv
wanga?
where
If they fled, they would have gone where?

Source: Kouwenberg 1994: 44

Confidence:
Certain