A multiple-wh question (MWHQ) with a pair-list reading establishes a
dependency between the wh-expressions, called a `wh-dependency' here. As in
(1), the answer to the wh-object depends on the answer to the wh-subject.
(1) A: Which boy bought which toy train?
B: Max bought the Thomas train, Kyle the Brio train, and Sam the Lego
train.
Wh-dependencies have been studied in depth (Engdahl 1986; Chierchia 1993;
Dayal 1996; Hagstrom 1998; Fox 2012; Nicolae 2013; Kotek 2014; Xiang 2016a;
a.o.). However, their discourse status remains under-studied (but see
vanRooy 1998; Haida:2007; Dotlacil:2019.) In light of this, the present
study makes two contributions. At the empirical level, it recognizes two
ways of referring to wh-dependencies. These two strategies are used to
motivate a two-step dynamic procedure for establishing wh-dependencies.
Each step delivers a distinct product that can support one type of
dependency anaphora.
