Relative Clauses in a Minimalist Framework.

Abstract

In this paper, we will discuss relative clause constructions within the minimalist framework developed by Chomsky (1993). Although it is observed that there are many syntactic and semantic contrasts between restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses, we will show that they come from the following points: (i) restrictive relative clauses are attached to NPs while non-restrictive relative clauses occur in the right of DP, and (ii) only non-restrictive relative clauses are operationally raised to matrix CP at LF. After stating these points, we will give a principled account for the contrasts between them.