Decomposing universal projection in questions

Abstract

Revising a proposal by Guerzoni (2003), we propose to derive universal projection
of presuppositions in wh-questions, where attested, from a family of three felicity conditions on
question use. Assuming that these felicity conditions can be violated under certain conditions,
this proposal predicts a typology of contexts where universal projection can exceptionally be
unattested. We propose that this prediction is correct, presenting a family of scenarios where
the expected absence of universal projection is observed.
Keywords: wh-questions, universal presupposition projection, felicity conditions, bridge principles.