Genitive subjects in relative constructions in Polynesian languages

Abstract This paper examines genitive subjects in relative constructions in Polynesian languages, with a focus on Niuean and Maori. In these languages, the subject of a relative clause may optionally be expressed as a genitive, appearing outside the relative clause, akin to English examples such as “his book to read”. The construction is compared to similar ones in Altaic languages, with a key difference being that in the Polynesian examples, genitive case clearly originates outside the relative clause. The question arises as to how the genitive nominal relates to its assumed theta position inside the relative clause. Arguments are presented against a raising and a control analysis. Instead, it is posited that the genitive nominal is externally merged outside the relative clause, forming a constituent with the entire relative construction, not with the relative clause, nor with the head of the relative clause. The genitive nominal receives its theta role in this external position through a process of semantic control directly of a theta feature within the lexical predicate in the relative clause. A remaining issue is that the relative clause does not appear to be reduced in Polynesian languages, as it more clearly is in similar constructions in Altaic languages.

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