Re: Relative clauses

Carsten Becker wrote:
>
> Malagasy: (S is the subject, s is dropped)
>
>   S V O [s V O]
>    \_____^
>
> where the subject of both clauses is the subject of the main
> clause. Does that mean if you want to refer the relative
> clause to an object, you must make it a subject with the
> help of voices and such (passive, applicative)?
Yes. The head of a relaive clause must always be the subject
in the relative clause regardless of how it is used in the rest of
the sentence.

Malagasy is VOS, with three voices: active, passive, and
oblique (my terms). Consider the following:

   My brother bought the eggs.

Malagasy word order:  Bought-ACT the eggs brother-my.

   Mother cooked the eggs.

Malagasy word order:  Cooked-ACT the eggs mother.

   The eggs were cooked by mother.

Mal:  Cooked-PASS-by-mother the eggs.

The agent of passive or oblique verbs is indicated by a possessive
construction.

   My brother bought the eggs which mother cooked.

Mal:  Bought-ACT the eggs cooked-PASSIVE-by-mother brother-my.

(or more commonly:

    Bought-PASS-by-brother-my the eggs cooked-PASSIVE-by-mother.)


    Mother cooked the eggs in the skillet.

Mal: Cooked-ACT the eggs in the skillet mother.

    My brother bought the skillet in which mother cooked the eggs.

Mal:  Bought-PASS-by-brother-my the skillet cooked-OBL-by-mother the eggs.

--Ph. D.