This paper discusses those aspects affecting the interpretation of
wh-questions. Although
wh-questions normally require exhaustive answers, some
wh-questions allow non-exhaustive partial answers. Based on the behavior of the question particle (Q-particle) in Japanese, I support the view that exhaustivity is not a property of the
wh-question itself and the choice between exhaustive and partial answers is guided by informativeness in accordance with Gricean maxims. I argue that we must recognize two levels of informativeness: fully informative and informative enough. This distinction is formally indicated in Japanese
wh-questions. A
wh-question with the Q-particle asks for a fully informative answer and one without the Q-particle for an answer that is informative enough. I show that English lacks a formal means to ask for an answer that is informative enough. The difference between the two languages is attributed to the morphological structure of
wh-phrases. Postulating these two levels of informativeness makes it possible to clearly observe more intricate interactions of questions and answers and provide a detailed explanation for the interpretation of various types of
wh-questions including
wh-questions asking for quantity and multiple
wh-questions. The question particle in Japanese clarifies certain issues of exhaustivity in
wh-questions. Exhaustivity is a semantic property of answers. The Maxim of Quantity provides principled explanation for interpretation of single
wh-questions, degree questions, multiple
wh-questions, and
wh-questions with quantifiers.
