Relativization of Noun Phrase in Ho language

Abstract

This paper examines the syntax of nominal modification in the Ho language, with a specific exploration of relativization. Relative constructions across languages, and even within a particular language, manifest different strategies, such as participial relative clauses, internally headed relative clauses, and externally headed relative clauses. The analysis presented here focuses on participial and correlative clauses, aiming to derive a common logical form for equivalent sentences. Furthermore, the study aims to illustrate the diverse positions that can be modified by both participial and correlative clauses in accordance with the Noun Phrase Accessibility Hierarchy. As posited by Keenan and Comrie (1977), this hierarchy hierarchically relativizes different noun phrase positions as a universal sequence: subject > direct object > indirect object > oblique object > object of genitive > object of comparison. Therefore, this paper seeks to assess the validity of this hierarchy in both participial and correlative clause constructions in the Ho language.