Definitie & Betekenis van "A-not-A question"

What is an "A-not-A question"?

An A-not-A question is a type of interrogative structure commonly found in some languages, including Chinese, where a statement is formed by presenting a verb or adjective in two forms: the affirmative (A) and the negative (not A). This structure allows speakers to ask yes-or-no questions in a concise way. For example, in Mandarin Chinese, one might say "Is he tall or not tall?" The A-not-A question format emphasizes the two contrasting options, making it clear what the speaker is asking. Understanding A-not-A questions is important for analyzing question formation in different languages and appreciating the variety of linguistic structures used to elicit information.