11.3 - Relative clauses
Relative clauses are introduced by the conjunction áálag. They are usually displaced at the end of the clause, and in case of potential ambiguity the relativised term is marked in the main clause with the particle táá.
The relativised term is represented in different ways depending on its function in the relative clause. If it bears the subject function, the agreement morpheme on the verb is enough on its own. If it bears a function covered by a clitic pronoun, the proper clitic is used. For direct and direct objects, the emphatic pronoun is employed. Otherwise, the distal deictic is employed as a resumptive pronoun.
The following examples will clarify these requirements:
[1] gúúmám áálag muun máram utigìna
man RELATIVE him chief to.see.AORIST.3S
The man that saw the chief
[2] gúúmám áálag guun máram utigìna
man RELATIVE EMPH.DO chief to.see.AORIST.3S
The man that the chief saw (lit. The man that the chief saw him)
[3] dárda áálag muun gig utigànam
forest RELATIVE him there to.see.AORIST.1S
The forest where I saw him (lit. The forest that I saw him there)
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