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A diachronic study of relative markers in spoken and written English

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2008

Catherine N. Ball
Catherine N. Ball
Affiliation:
Georgetown University
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Abstract

Although English relative clauses have been the subject of considerable research, few quantitative studies have traced their development over an extended period of time. The present study focuses on factors governing the choice of relative markers in restrictive relative clauses with relativized subjects from the 16th century to the present day, using both spoken and written data, and including non-standard and regional varieties. The study examines claims by Romaine (1982) that the wh-strategy has not affected spoken English, and that no major qualitative changes have occurred in the relative system since the early 16th century. The results, however, show that these claims are not correct: a major event occurred in the 17th century which had a significant impact on spoken and written English. Many areas are identified which merit further research.

Type
Research Article
Information
Language Variation and Change , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , July 1996 , pp. 227 - 258
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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