Magin_Edward-thesis

185
Relativizers can often be left out of phrases in English. For example, I can say ‘I
read the book that you gave me,’ using ‘that’ as a relativizer in the second clause
modifying ‘book.’ Or I can say ‘I read the book you gave me,’ without the relativizer. In
this example, the object of the first clause, ‘book,’ functions as its head, filling the
gap―the missing argument for the transitive verb ‘gave’―in the modifying clause
(Kroeger 2004:165-6). Speakers of English often leave out relativizers when permissible,
thereby condensing the language.
I have also observed that the same is true in the speech variety in Northern Iraq,
where speakers tend to omit use of the word ku where it functions as a relativizer.
Conversely, according to Nicholas Bailey, 120 speakers of Northern Kurdish in Turkey
tend to use ku more often than not. 121 According to my consultant, ku is unnecessary in
line 35 of example (311). In (312), ku is again an extra word that is not required. Its
exclusion would not have changed the meaning of the sentence. In both situations, then, it
seems that its inclusion helped Sindî reach the desired syllable count.
(311) ger zewal-a te hat-Ø-b-it her (BS1:33)
if time.to.pass.away-EZ.F 2O come.PST.PTCP-COP.PRS-3SG always
dê mîn-î tu u her 122
will remain.PST-2SG 2D and always
‘If your time to pass away is come, you will remain (exist) forever.’
çunkî Kurdînî na-mir-it çav heval=e (BS1:34)
because Kurdishness NEG-die.PRS-3SG eye friend=COP.PRS.3SG
120 Personal correspondence (2012).
121 Thackston (2006:75-77), whose grammar exhibits Northern Kurdish in Turkey, also provides some
examples of relative clauses that show use of ku, usually in conjuction with a preceding ezafe conjunctive
particle. He does mention that occasionally ku is omitted when “the relative is the object in the relative
clause.”
122 The idiom her u her is usually translated as ‘forever.’ In this line, I believe this is the intended meaning,
though the words are separated in the sentence. The words dê mînî tu, ‘you will remain,’ immediately
follow the first her. Having u her at the end of the line allowed for Sindî to rhyme the line with nezer at the
end of line 34.