Operatzaile isila euskarazko perpaus erlatiboetan

Abstract

In this paper some propositions are made concerning the analysis of Basque relative clauses. In the first part, it is shown that the relativized position is better analyzed as being filled by an empty operator, than by an empty pronoun. The arguments are as follows: i) the fact that there is only a woolly correspondance between the licensing of pros and accessibility to relativization; and ii) the evidence of the cyclical movement of the relativized NP in complex relative clauses. In the second part, relative clauses containing a WH-word are examined, ie. questioned relative clauses and relativized embedded questions. Assuming that the empty operator in relative clauses is moved to COMP to the same A'position as WH-words move to, it will be shown that both constructions can be explained straightforwardly, without violation of Subjacency, allowing however some adaptation of the Double-Filled Comp Filter.