@inbook{f89c3e4a6f8542f88a234951580bf5f4,
title = "Modal movement licensed by focus",
abstract = "This paper investigates the high position of root modals (such as keyi 'may') in Chinese, and its interaction with focus interpretations. We address a long-standing puzzle concerning their position: A-not-A questions appear to exceptionally license an otherwise unavailable high position of root modals preceding subjects and/or topics. Upon closer examination, we observe that (i) A-not-A questions do not always license the high position of root modals and that (ii) the position of focus plays a crucial role in licensing high modals. We propose that root modals undergo head movement across a focused element to the high position, and this movement is constrained by a focus version of output economy.",
author = "Ka-Fai Yip and Lee, {Tommy Tsz-Ming}",
year = "2022",
doi = "10.1075/la.272.06yip",
language = "English",
isbn = "9789027210678",
series = "Linguistik Aktuell",
publisher = "John Benjamins Publishing Company",
pages = "165--192",
editor = "Andrew Simpson",
booktitle = "New Explorations in Chinese Theoretical Syntax",
address = "Netherlands",
}