Definite Markers, Phi Features and Agreement - Georgetown ...

Similarly, if there is a relative clause, the definite marker attaches to the right edge of the relativeclause. A simple example is in (8).(8) yä-särräk’-ä-w ldC-steal.PF-3MS-DEFchildthe child who stoleAmharic relative clauses contain finite verbs, have the same word order as main clauses (SOV),and are always prenominal. There are no wh-words, but there is a complementizer yä-. Therelative clause in (8) consists only of a verb (made up of a verbal stem, an agreement morpheme,and the dependent complementizer), and the definite marker -w attaches to the right edge of theverb. If the relative clause is more complex, the definite marker still attaches to the right edge,and this is demonstrated in (9). The definite marker “skips” an adjunct in (9)a, an argument in(9)b, and an embedded CP in (9)c.(9) a. [tnantnna yä-mät’t’-a-w] tämari [adjunct]yesterdayC-come.PF-3MS-DEF studentthe student who came yesterdayb. [bab yä-gäddäl-ä-w] ld [argument]snake C-kill.PF-3MS-DEFboythe boy who killed a snake28