This paper analyses wh-question formation in Tyap. Using data from native speakers and adopting the Minimalist Program, it argues that Typ derives wh-questions through overt movement to Spec-CP.

Evidence comes from island effects, head movements and the distribution of question particles. Tyáp has eight words that function as operators co-occurring with clause-final particles differentiating interrogatives from declaratives. These words include Yihwa ‘what?’, Yihwa mbyiá Why (what reason)?’, Niniwá ‘How (with what)?’ Anyànwá ‘Who, whose?’,Ajiwa ‘Where?’, Amàn ‘How many?, Zàn ‘Which?’ and Zànjèn ‘When (which time)?’. These can be grouped into three categories which include those derived through fusion, compounding and single morphemes. Tyáp also utilizes the focus operator wa. This is an obligatory focus operator that co-occurs with certain wh-operators such as ninìwá ‘how’,

‘, amàn ‘how many’, and aji where’, when they function as interrogative wh-operators.

When this happens, the focus operator wa is suffixed to the wh-expression in spec-CP position within CP to function as the interrogative operator. The analysis shows that Internal Merge applies cyclically at the vP and CP phases, with wh-phrase leaving a trace co-indexed to its base position. This challenges account of Niger-Congo wh-in-situ and supports feature-driven movement analyses. Data is presented using Leipzig Glossing Rules The findings contribute to the typology of wh-movement and the syntax of Plateau languages.