Relative Clauses in Chi\Ha a Gs Approach
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Date
1990-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study examines the structure of relative clauses In Chaha.
As a quldellne , it employs the theory of Government and Binding of
Chomsky (1981, 1982, 1986) and recent developments. The theory
assumes that relative clauses are Non-argument clausal complements
of nouns at a maximal level. The internal structure of relative clauses
are explained interms of sublhcories and principles which are assumed
to be prcperttes of universal grammar.
The study begins by analyzing the relativizing strategy in the
language. It is argued that Chaha uses the Pro in situ strategy in
Its relative clauses. This means that an empty category Pro is base
generated in a relativized argument NP position of a relative clause.
The relativized arqumcnt NP may be a complement of a verbal, a prepositional
or a nominal head.
The study shows that Chaha relative clauses are open syntactic
predicates predicated of their head tJPs. The head NPs act as formal
SUbjects of their predicated relative clauses, The rule which interpretes
the relation between the head NPs and the predicated relative
clauses is the rule of predicate Linking which applies at S-structure.
In Chaha , an invariable element Iyal occurs in perfect relative
clauses to introduce the clauses as predicated of their head NPs.
This Iyal is treated as a complementizer and is base generated in
cornp, position at D-structure. It does not phonetically occur in
imperfect relative clauses.
Although relativized NP positions are always empty, subject
agreement affixes and pronominal object clltics play essential roles
in identifying their content. The: former refers to subjects, and
the latter to objects of [-N] categories.
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Keywords
Relative Clauses