On the Role of Perceptual Clues in Hebrew Relativization

Relativization in Modern Israeli Hebrew is discussed from a number of perspectives. First, it is shown that when the resumptive (anaphoric) pronoun in Hebrew relativization is attracted to the position adjacent to the head noun, the relative subordinator she may be deleted. In other words, the pronoun may assume the perceptual function of relative subordinator. Next, it is shown that the resumptive pronoun itself functions as a perceptual simplifier in relativization, so that when the order of constituents in the relative clause is one which may create ambiguity or difficulty in assigning grammatical relations, the presence of an otherwise optional resumptive pronoun becomes obligatory. This is shown for both subject and object relativization. Further, it is shown that the option of deleting the resumptive pronoun in Hebrew relativization decreases when one goes down the scale of arguments: subject accusative > simple prepositional objects > complex prepositional objects. This hierarchy is discussed in the context of syntactic perceptual complexity . Finally, a number of new developments in the marking of relative clauses / pronouns is discussed, particularly the ascendence of the use of WH -pronouns as relative subordinators, and the suppletive effect this process has on the use of the subordinator she- and the resunptive pronouns.