Italian Sign Language displays a dedicated structure expressing relativization: a biclausal construction consisting of an embedded clause containing an antecedent, followed by a main clause containing a gap or a pronoun coreferential with the antecedent. This paper compares two possible analyses for this type of construction: as a correlative structure, as recently proposed by Cecchetto et al. 2006, or as a non-correlative internally headed relative clause. Evidence for the nominal status of the clause, for its extraposed nature, and for the trace-like nature of the gap in the main clause is provided and discussed. This leads to the conclusion that the non-correlative analysis is more suitable. As for their interpretative status, we argue that these clauses are restrictive relative clauses in the light of a battery of diagnostics.

Branchini, C., Donati, C. (2009). Relatively different: Italian Sign Language relative clauses in a typological perspective. In A.K. Liptàk (a cura di), Correlatives Cross-linguistically (pp. 157-191). JOHN BENJAMINS B V PUBL.

Relatively different: Italian Sign Language relative clauses in a typological perspective

BRANCHINI, CHIARA;
2009

Abstract

Italian Sign Language displays a dedicated structure expressing relativization: a biclausal construction consisting of an embedded clause containing an antecedent, followed by a main clause containing a gap or a pronoun coreferential with the antecedent. This paper compares two possible analyses for this type of construction: as a correlative structure, as recently proposed by Cecchetto et al. 2006, or as a non-correlative internally headed relative clause. Evidence for the nominal status of the clause, for its extraposed nature, and for the trace-like nature of the gap in the main clause is provided and discussed. This leads to the conclusion that the non-correlative analysis is more suitable. As for their interpretative status, we argue that these clauses are restrictive relative clauses in the light of a battery of diagnostics.
Capitolo o saggio
Relative clauses, sign language, internally headed relative clauses, correlatives
English
Correlatives Cross-linguistically
Liptàk, AK
2009
978-90-272-0818-7
1
JOHN BENJAMINS B V PUBL
157
191
Branchini, C., Donati, C. (2009). Relatively different: Italian Sign Language relative clauses in a typological perspective. In A.K. Liptàk (a cura di), Correlatives Cross-linguistically (pp. 157-191). JOHN BENJAMINS B V PUBL.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/9571
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