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
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.
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.