Adverbial and Argument-Doubling Clauses in Cree - MSpace

inside a containhg NP al1 the same. The containing NP could include oven material, such
as an NP or a deteminer such as mua 'this', or it may include no overt noMnais (Le., the
'head' of the relative clause would be null) . Ifthere were no overt noMnal materid, we
would assume that there is a nul1 pro in the head position* that was linked to one of the
pronominal arguments in the matrix verbal cornplex. We will look at this structure in
greater detail in section 5.4.3, but first, we will take a closer look at Cree relative clauses.
5.4.2 Relative Clauses
Before we proceed with the proposed analysis for Cree A-doubling clauses, 1 would like
to briefly review Cree relative clauses. These clauses illustrate how an NP, which contains
a subordinate clause, can be linked to a pronominal argument in the matrix verb. The NP
which contains the relative clause can also include a full NP, a demonstrative or no overt
Baker (1996) describes a similar idea for 'pseudo-nominals'. Pseudo-norninals are verbal forms that
receive a nominal interpmation. He claims that this phenomenon is quite common in polysynthetic
Ianguages (see Baker 1996: 166 for references regarding such languages). He describes these pseudonominals
as ideniical in structure to relative clauses. Mng properties of wh-movement. except that the
relative operator is phonologically null (Mohawk has an overt relative operator rsi ni&' -whichV).
He does not daim that this relative clause is embedded inside an NP which has a nul1 head. He
acknowledges that this is a passible structure. where the nul1 head of a full NP could be a pro, which is
licensed by king Iinked to a position which is govemed by agreement. He docs not see. however, any
remn to posit the containing NP.
1 propose that the class of nominalized verbai constructions, which demonstrate similar structure
to relative clauses, can k extended to include argumentdoubling clauses. We have almdy d i d
how whquestions, both matrix and subordinate, have a relative clause stmcture, and how this can be
extcnded to include al1 Adoubling clauses as well (not just whclauses).
Udike Baker, howewr. 1 propose that there is reason to place the nominalized verbal
construction inside a containing NP. The most important differentiating factor benNeen my daim and
Baker's. is that he places Adoubling clauses (which he calls cornplernents) in argument positions, while 1
place them in non-argumental positions. Because these clauses cannot receive their 'argumental'
khaviour and interpretation by king tituateâ in an A-position. they mun be refenntially-linkcd to a
pronominal argument which is in an argument position mis linking is facilitated by placing the clause
inside of a containing NP. This NP an k CO-indexed to the matrixpro, as it is of the same Iesical
category as the argument, where the subordinate clause (CP) is not.