Relativization In Silt'i
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Date
2003-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This thesis deals with the structure of relative clause in Silt'i. The work is
more of descriptive than theoretical; however, some aspects of the properties of
relative clause of Silt'i have been analyzed in terms of the theoretical
assumptions of the Principles and Parameters theory (Government and Binding
Theory).
The relative clauses that are found in Silt'i are of two types: restrictive and
non-restrictive relative clauses of which their difference depends on their
referential relation to the head nouns. Moreover, Silt'i relative clauses may be
classified into lexically headed and empty-headed relatives, depending on the
phonetically presence and absence of the head noun.
The various relativized NP positions and the strategy that is employed in
relativization have also been examined. Thus, Silt'i relativizes subject, object
(direct and indirect), and adjunct positions, and the specifier position of genitive
of possession. Consequently, the accessibility hierarchy of relative clause
formation proposed by Keenan and Comire (1977) has been justified. The
Strategy employed to form relative clause has been found to be pro in situ, as is
the case in other Ethiopian languages such as Oromo (Baye1986), Gumuz
(Asfaw 1993), Chaha (Alemayehu 1990).
Moreover, the study examines the properties of relative verbs that are the
major constituents of relative clause. In Silt' there are two forms of relative verb:
the perfective relative verb and the imperfective one. Both the perfective and
imperfective verbs get inflected for agreement markers of the relativized NPs.
The element ya-, which is prefixed only to perfective relative verb, but not to
imperfective verb, functions as a linking element between a relative clause and
its head noun. In other words, this element introduces the relative clause to the
head noun.
Key words: relative clause, Silt’i, descriptive, principles and parameters
theory, restrictive relative clause, lexically headed empty-head relatives,
subject relativaization, object relativaization, adjunct
relativaization,genetive possession relativaization, pro insitu, perfective
imperfective relative verb, ,element yä
Description
Keywords
relative clause, Silt’i,, descriptive, principles and parameters theory