Universal #677

Legacy number: 677

 Number  674
 Original  With few exceptions, postnominal relative clauses in VSO languages contain either
(a) an initial relative particle or pronoun or
(b) a special marker on the main verb of the clause.
 Standardized  IF the order is VSO and the relative clause is postnominal, THEN the relative clause contains either initial relative particle or pronouns or a special marker on the main verb of the clause.
 Keywords  relative clause, order, postnominal, personal pronoun, relative particle, verbal affix
 Domain  syntax
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  statistical
 Basis  languages mentioned in Downing 1978
 Source  Downing 1978: 391

← Back to Universals Archive

Discussion
Counterexamples
Jacaltec (Mayan) (Downing 1978: 389);
Notes
1. This claim is in line with Keenan’s statement (#823): “The use of personal pronouns and to a slicely lesser extent relative pronouns is very common in postnominal relative clauses.”2. Cf. #681.3. Downing 1977: 166: in postnominal relative clauses only: “ If an initial relative pronoun is used, it may be identical in form with the interrogative pronoun; in any case it is a strong form, not a clitic or a nondemonstrative personal pronoun”.4. Cf. #1555, esp. comment 2.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
1. This claim is in line with Keenan's statement (<a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=823"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">): "The use of personal pronouns and to a slicely lesser extent relative pronouns is very common in postnominal relative clauses."

2. Cf. <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=681"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">

3. Downing 1977: 166: in postnominal relative clauses only: "If an initial relative pronoun is used, it may be identical in form with the interrogative pronoun; in any case it is a strong form, not a clitic or a nondemonstrative personal pronoun".

4. Cf. <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=1555"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">, esp. comment 2.