Pragmatic functions of <i>le</i> ‘what’ in Longxi Qiang

Abstract This study examines the pragmatic functions of Longxi Qiang interrogative pronoun lê (‘what’) in natural conversation. Based on approximately ten hours of transcribed data, we found that lê is used in question and non-question functions such as filler, reversed polarity question marker, attention attractor, negative stance marker, non-specific referent, general extender, and universal term. Most instances of lê in the data serve various interactional functions rather than seeking information. The non-question functions of lê are related to negative, rather than positive, meaning; for example, negative evaluation, stance, or providing little to no information of the referents under discussion.