Constructions relatives : développer un point de vue fonctionnaliste

Abstract

This article aims to define the relative constructions according to essential principles of functional syntax as developed in the wake of André Martinet’s work, namely: syntax between syntactic classes (not between “clauses”); decisive importance of the hierarchy between syntactic classes with a predicative vocation (“verbs”, for example) and other classes; definition of functions as a subtype of syntactic relations between classes. We consider that relative constructions are intended to subordinate a verbal or non-verbal predicate to a relativized term which usually is a predicate determiner (case of nouns and pronouns assuming a syntactic function) or a simple determiner (definite, cardinal, adverb, etc.). Furthermore, in relative constructions, a syntactic function is established between the relativized term and the nucleus of the relative. The application of these analytical principles results in the rejection of the notion of “gap strategy” and of the distinction between “noun-headed relative clauses” and “light-headed relative clauses”.