A question is an utterance that serves as a request for information. Interrogative refers to the grammatical form used in questions. Yeh has several interrogative forms associated with different question types.
Polar questions, also known as "yes-no" or "binary" questions, contain a statement and ask the listener if the statement is true. Polar questions in Yeh are formed by adding the question particle su to the beginning of a statement.
kóvëh yé=më oi cut 3.AN=A 3.INAN "They cut it."
su kóvëh yé=më oi Q cut 3.AN=A 3.INAN "Did they cut it?"
Yeh polar questions tend to fall in pitch. Particular words in the question can be given focus by sharply rising in pitch on the stressed syllable of the word, followed by a sharp fall in pitch. Giving a word focus indicates what information the speaker is requesting and helps narrow the scope of responses to the question.
Su kovëh yemë oi? "Did they cut it?" (or did they leave it in tact?)
Su kovëh yemë oi? "Did they cut it?" (or was it someone else?)
Yeh lacks words for yes and no. Polar questions are generally answered with tai (indicating that the respondant agrees with the proposition put by the question), or ën (indicating disagreement). Unlike Yes and No, there is no ambiguity when polar questions are formed negatively.
Q: Didn't they cut it? A: Tai. (Correct, they did not.) A: Ën. (Wrong, they did.)
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