On the syntax of 'why'-like 'how' in Korean

Abstract

The wh-phrase ettehkey 'how' in Korean is forced to be interpreted as a reason wh-adverbial corresponding to way 'why' when it occurs with a causative-key toy-construction with past tense. In this paper, I try to answer a simple but fundamental question of whether or not reason ettehkey is base-generated in the same position as the 'high' wh-adjunct way (Ko 2005, 2006). I argue that reason ettehkey in an interrogative clause is externally merged in its checking position, Spec-CIntP, just like way (Ko 2006), whereas manner/instrumental ettehkey originates below NegP.