On Internally-Headed Relative Clause Construction in Japanese: An Analysis Based on Attested Examples

Abstract

Since S.-Y. Kuroda’s pioneering work, internally-headed relative clauses in Japanese have been primarily studied within the framework of generative grammar. Drawing on attested examples, this study reconsiders some claims made in earlier theoretical studies. In particular, it shows that the syntactic positions occupied by internally-headed relative clauses and head noun phrases are more widely distributed than previously noted. We also consider the relations between internally-headed relative clauses and verb complementation, externally headed relative clauses modifying the pronominal no, and concessive clauses, arguing that internally-headed relative clauses cannot be sharply delimited from these related constructions. Finally, we underline the importance of careful observation of attested examples, rather than relying solely on constructed examples.