SOV: The basic word order of content questions is SOV.
(1) marina pisma xanš-l.
Marina letter write-prs.3sg
‘Marina is writing a letter.’ (S. O.)
(2) xota marina pisma xanš-l?
where Marina letter write-prs.3sg
‘Where is Marina writing a letter?’ (S. O.)
(3) xūn marina pisma xanš-l?
when Marina letter write-prs.3sg
‘When does Marina write letters?’ (S. O.)
(4) xoj-a marina pisma xanš-l?
who-lat Marina letter write-prs.3sg
‘Whom is Marina writing a letter to?’ (S. O.)
(5) marina xoj-a pisma xanš-l?
Marina who-lat letter write-prs.3sg
‘Whom is Marina writing a letter to?’ (S. O.)
(6) muj im-en rūpit-l?
what wife-2sg work-prs.3sg
‘What does your wife do (for living)?’ (Onina 2009: 52)
In Synja Khanty, the basic word order is SOV, which is used with indicative sentences (1), and content questions (2)–(6) (S. O.). The positioning of question words is not systematic. Question words can be put at the beginning of the sentence (4), or in situ (5) (S. O.). For more information, see the parameter “Word order of interrogative phrases”. The topic requires further research.