Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics.pdf

A-Z 999relative adjectiveadjectiverelative clauseSubordinate clause which is dependent on a noun or pronoun, is usually introduced bya relative pronoun or relative adverb, and can refer to various elements (or even a wholesentence) except for the predicate. Depending on the semantic/pragmatic function, adistinction is usually made between defining/ restrictive and amplifying/non-restrictiverelative clauses. Restrictive clauses limit the set of possible objects the noun specified bythe clause can refer to: Here is the book that you were looking for (and none other thanthat one), while amplifying clauses specify their referent more exactly: Napoleon, whocame from Corsica, was exiled to Elba. These two types of clause, which often allow fortwo or more interpretations, can be distinguished from one another by examining thefollowing characteristics of the surface structure: in restrictive clauses, which are alwaysa part of a definite description, the referent can be emphasized by using a demonst rativepronoun (that book, which), while in non-restrictive clauses the referent is often a propernoun or personal pronoun, and the whole sentence can usually be modified by addingwords or phrases such as apparently or as is well known, which underline its purelyattributive character. In addition, non-restrictive clauses are optional, while definingclauses are obligatory. This distinction is also supported by various intonationalproperties.ReferencesBartsch, R. 1976. Syntax and semantics of relative clauses. Amsterdam.Downing, B.T. 1978. Some universals of relative clause structure. In J.H.Greenberg et al. (eds),Universals of human language. Stanford, CA. 375–418.Helgander. J. 1971. The relative clause in English and other Germanic languages: a historical andanalytical survey. Göteborg.Keenan, E.L. 1985. Relative clauses. In T.Shopen (ed.). Language typology and linguisticdescription. Cambridge. Vol. 2, 141–70.Kleiber, G. 1987. Relatives restrictives et relatives appositives: une opposition ‘introuvable.’Tübingen.Lehmann, C. 1984. Der Relativsatz. Tübingen.Prideaux, G. and W.J.Baker. 1987. Strategies and structure: the processing of relative clauses.Amsterdam.