Non-standard Questions : Polarity and Contrast

Abstract

In this paper I will explicate the speech acts of rhetorical and echo questions, and 'rhechorical', questions, as illustrated in the dialogue exchange between Speakers A and B in (1): Clb) is a rhetorical question; (Ic) is a 'rhechorical' question. (1) a. A: Mia-ka Chelswu-Iul an cohahay: Hia-to kulay.l 'Mia doesn't like Chelswu. Hia doesn't, either.' b. B: Nwukwu-nun Chelswu-Iul cohahay? 'Who (ever) likes Chelswu?' c. A: Nwukwil-nun Chelswu-Iul cohahanunya ko? 'Who (ever) likes Chelswu?' d. B: Kulem, ney-ka cohahanun kuna. 'Then, you like him.'