Relativization in Kaakye

Abstract

This paper describes the relative clause (RC) in Kaakye, a Kwa (Niger-Congo) language. Evidence is provided to show that Kaakye RC is strictly postnominal and that both the head noun and its referent within the RC are obligatorily expressed. Unlike RCs in some Kwa languages that are close neighbours, the head noun in a Kaakye RC obligatorily takes a determiner. The language also uses the pronoun retention strategy to indicate the canonical positions the head noun occupies in the RC. Where the pronoun retention strategy is used, a resumptive pronoun co-references the head noun in person, number, and animacy to explicitly state the referent of the head noun within the RC. Based on the available synchronic data, we argue that Kaakye object resumptives in RCs are number sensitive unlike other Kwa languages. The paper further demonstrates that all NP positions on the Accessibility Hierarchy are relativizable.