RC

The Structure of Relative Clauses

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The project focuses on relative clause (RC) formation in Slavic languages (for example, dialects of Slovenian, Croatian), Romance languages (mainly North Italian dialects), as well as dialects of South German. The choice is not accidental: all three language groups have interesting idiosyncratic properties as far as RC formation is concerned. Furthermore, these three language families are in contact near the region where the researcher is located. Components of the project: 1. Contrastive study of semantic/syntactic properties of RCs (relation between the head noun and RC): - Reconstruction properties; - Semantic interpretation (amount, restrictive, appositive readings); - Types of RC markers; - Extraction properties; - Extraposition and coordination; - Interaction with VP ellipsis. 2. Examination of micro-parametric variation (using criteria from 1): - The influence of Slavic, Germanic and Romance dialects on each other with respect to RC structure; - Unique properties of hybrid constructions. Part (1) consolidates new and existing data to test prevailing theories of RC formation. Part (2) forwards the development of a unified theory of RC formation, and provides a testing ground for it. Methodology: Language surveys, and grammaticality judgment tests. Overall impact: Provides new insight into the syntax of RC constructions, expands our knowledge of potential universal syntactic principles responsible for clause formation, subordination, and long distance dependencies. Educational impact: Contributes to the development of a new graduate program in Linguistics by engaging students in hands-on research. Long term (future pursuits): Contribute to the understanding of subordination, complementation, the structure of the Left Periphery, the overall interaction between syntax and semantics. Provide input to novel ways of testing models of language acquisition, comprehension, and of language disorders. All of which utilize RC data.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

In-depth insight into relative clauses in European languages can be of benefit to many applications. These include improved language research in universities and advanced speech recognition and speech therapy.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The relative clause in language acts like an adjective in describing a noun. These clauses are colourful and complex, giving language unlimited variety and expressiveness. The EU-funded project 'The structure of relative clauses' (RC) is examining these descriptive clauses with all their idiosyncrasies in Germanic, Romance and Slavic languages.

The project is comparing the syntax and semantic properties of relative clauses, including position in sentence, coordination and extraction. It is also looking at the influence that these three language groups have on each other with respect to relative clauses, examining unique properties and hybrid language constructions. This is being accomplished through language surveys and specialised language tests.

To achieve its goals, the project closely reviewed literature on the subject in Europe and the United States. It has begun developing language questionnaires and interviews for use with native speakers to provide a picture of speaker preferences at college level and by region.

The project expects to develop a comprehensive theory of how relative clauses are formed. This has an impact at the academic level, but also at the junction between industry and science such as in efforts to improve voice recognition or study learning disorders. New techniques for speech therapy may be developed from the project.

The project team has outlined further areas of research to support the elaboration of a unified theory of relative clause formation, opening up new avenues of language research and applications. Relative clauses, it seems, offer much more than meets the eye.