Adjectival Relative Clauses
Adjectival relative clauses are a central topic in Tao (Yami) syntax, combining modification structure with embedded subordinate clauses. Since Tao does not have a dedicated word class for adjectives, the language employs stative verbs and nominalized clauses to perform adjectival functions within noun phrases.
1. Foundational Concepts of Modification in Tao
Unlike Indo-European languages, the Tao grammatical system does not include a distinct adjective category. Descriptive meaning is expressed through clausal structures, making modification a syntactically rich and structurally flexible process.
The core mechanism used for adjectival meaning is the Modifying Structure—a dependent clause functioning inside a noun phrase. These modifying clauses are typically formed using stative verbs, which describe inherent qualities or states. In Tao grammar, the key structural link between a modifying clause and the noun it modifies is the ligature.
2. The Central Role of the Ligature a
The ligature a is indispensable in Tao relative clause formation. It acts as the syntactic connector between the head noun and the modifying clause, forming a unified noun phrase.
The placement of the ligature—and the entire modifier—creates two major structural types, each carrying different semantic interpretations.
3. Syntactic Position and Semantic Interpretation
Word order in Tao relative clauses determines whether the modifying clause is interpreted as restrictive (identifying, essential) or non-restrictive (descriptive, additional).
| Structure Type & Word Order | Syntactic Significance & Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Basic / Non-Restrictive Head Noun + Ligature a + Adjectival Clause |
Provides supplementary information; the head noun is already identified. |
| Marked / Restrictive Adjectival Clause + Ligature a + Head Noun |
Provides essential identifying information; specifies which particular noun. |
Example 1: Restrictive Clause
“the child who cannot hold still”
Example 2: Non-Restrictive Clause
“that child, who cannot hold still”
These examples show that the relative position of clause and noun directly affects semantic interpretation.
4. Typology of Adjectival Modifying Structures
A wide range of structures may function as adjectival modifiers in Tao, all linked by the ligature a.
| Structure Type | Tao (Yami) Example | Linguistic Gloss | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stative Verb (Simple Adjective-like) | ráko a vahay | big.one LIN house | “a big house” |
| Compound Clause | alibangbang a ma-vaheng so panid | flying.fish LIN SV-black OBL wing | “flying fish with black fins” |
| Pronoun + Stative Verb | yaken o ya ma-lavang a ayob ori | 1SG.NOM NOM AUX SV-white LIN clothes that | “Those white clothes are mine.” |
| Quantifiers | apira a araw | how.many LIN day | “how many days?” |
| Nominalized Clause | aro o na ka-tenng-an ni akay a kavavatanen | many NOM 3SG.GEN VF-know-NMLZ GEN grandfather LIN stories | “the many stories that grandfather knows” |
5. Conclusion
The Tao adjectival relative clause system is highly structured and efficient. Its descriptive capacity is grounded in three core principles:
- The absence of a dedicated adjective class requires the use of stative verbs and nominalized clauses to express descriptive meaning.
- The ligature a is the universal syntactic linker, binding all modifiers to their head nouns.
- Word order carries semantic precision, distinguishing between restrictive and non-restrictive modification.
Together these principles form a flexible and powerful modification system fundamental to Tao grammar.
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