Relative clauses in Sakurabiat (Mekens)

Abstract

This paper discusses the relativizing strategies employed in Sakurabiat, also known as Mekens. Relative clauses in this language use a non-finite verb form, which does not show tense-aspect morphology. these constructions are parallel to object focus constructions, which could also be interpreted as nominalizations. relative clauses can have internal or external head, and show the same distribution of nominal phrases in the language.

Keywords

• Relative clauses
• Cleft sentences
• Indigenous languages
• Sakurabiat
• Mekens