Wednesday, 21 May 2014

Embedded Vs Dependent Relative Clauses

(1) John wants to marry a woman who is a millionaire
(2) John wants to marry a woman, who is a millionaire

John
wants to marry
a woman [[who is a millionaire]]
Actor
Process: material
Goal

John
wants to marry
a woman

who
(incidentally) is
a millionaire
a
=
b
Actor
Process: material
Goal

Carrier
Process: attributive
Attribute


Viewed from above, in terms of the meaning being realised by the wording, the embedded relative clause in (1) is defining, whereas the dependent relative clause in (2) is non-defining.

Viewed from below, in terms of the sounding that realises the wording, in unmarked cases, the embedded (defining) relative clause serving as Qualifier in (1) is included in the same tone group as the Thing (woman) it qualifies, thus construing it as the same piece of information, whereas the dependent (non-defining) relative clause in (2) is assigned to a separate tone group, thereby construing it as a distinct unit of information.

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