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CHAPTER 16 Relativization
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CHAPTER 16 Relativization The previous two chapters dealt primarily with complex sentences involving the process of conjoining with either coordinating or subordinating conjunctions. A second operation for relating propositions is relativization, in which one proposition is embedded into a main or core proposition. Relativization provides added information or specificity to the noun in the main proposition, and, in many instances, makes clear to the listener the topic of conversation. Unit 1: Relative Clauses Objectives • List the relative pronouns and the relative adverbs • Explain the function of a relative clause in a sentence • Identify relative clauses in sentences and their noun referents in the matrix sentences • Write the matrix and insert sentences for sentences having a relative clause • Write sentences having a relative clause for matrix and insert sentences • Identify the syntactic environment of relative clauses, the constituent each relative pronoun replaces, and whether the clause is prep-fronted • Specify the information from sentences with relative clauses that a reader using a surface order strategy would receive • Explain the difference in meaning in a pair of identical sentences, one having a restrictive and one a nonrestrictive relative clause • Identify restrictive and nonrestrictive relative clauses Clauses with Subject Pronouns One of the syniactic forms of relativization is the addition of a relative clause as a postnominal modifier of a noun phrase. The main proposition is encoded in the matrix sentence and the relative clause is embedded into it following whichever NP it modifies or elaborates. A full relative clause is introduced by a relative pronoun, such as who, whom, which, or that, or the relative possessive whose. When the clause is related to a noun in an adverbial phrase, the NP is expanded with a preposition followed by a relative clause beginning with which or whom. 143 144 RELATIVlZATION The easiest of the relative clauses for young children or children with language difficulties is a relative clause that modifies the last NP constituent in the matrix sentence. The relative pronouns who, which, and that are used as the subjects in these clauses; these clauses have subject relativization. Jane didn't see the man who was standing in the shadows. Skydiving is a sport that is dangerous. The man told a story that was funny. A child who comprehends and expresses S-V-O relationships and who applies a surface order strategy will have much less difficulty interpreting sentences with relative clauses in the final position than with clauses in the medial position. The subjects of the verbs appear in close proximity to the predicates. A child hearing or reading the third example sentence would get the information man told story; story funny. In order to use the different relative pronouns, a child must possess certain rules: who can occur only with NPs that have the feature [ + human], which is used with only [-human] referents, and that can be used in place of either who or which. It is important to understand that a relative clause expands a noun phrase; it does not function as a sentence constituent, as does an adverbial clause. Npl V NP2 Jane / didn't see / the man who was standing in the shadows. The Np2, or direct object, in the sentence above is the man who was standing in the shadows. The noun phrase has a definite article, a head noun, and a relative clause modifier of the noun (i.e., a postnominal modifier). (+def art) (head noun) (relative clause) the man who was standing in the shadows. The two underlying sentences are Jane didn't see the man and The man was standing in the shadows. The first sentence expresses the main proposition; it is called the matrix sentence. The second sentence provides specificity and more clearly identifies one of the arguments (nouns) of the sentence (in this case, the man). This is the insert sentence that is embedded into the matrix. The matrix and insert sentences have identical noun phrases. Matrix: Jane didn't see the man. Insert: The man was standing in the shadows. who Jane didn't see the man (the man) was standing in the shadows. [54.89.24.147] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 23:38 GMT) RELATIVE CLAUSES 145 The appropriate relative pronoun replaces the identical NP in the insert sentence, which is inserted after the NP that is its referent in the matrix sentence. In relative clauses such as this, the relative pronoun is the subject of the clause, since it replaces the subject of the insert sentence. The relative...