SOAS Research Online

Abstract

The present thesis examines the syntax and semantics of headless relative clauses ("B pattern") and a type of headed relative clauses ("A pattern") from which they are likely to have developed. Based on a systematic survey of representative sources of Japanese from the Nara to Muromachi periods, it traces the historical development of the various types of A and B pattern observed. Both simple and stacked patterns are dealt with, while some similar patterns are also discussed. Chapter I provides most of the general framework and objectives of the thesis. It also presents an overview of research into headless relative clauses and some related phenomena published to date in Japanese, English and German. Chapter II examines the A pattern formed by the particle no in the Nara period and thereafter and traces its historical development. Chapter III deals with the A pattern formed by particles other than no (zero etc.) during the same periods. Chapter IV discusses the B pattern formed by the particle no for each period of Japanese language history covered in this thesis, while Chapter V focusses on the B pattern formed by other particles (zero, case particles such as emphatic particles such as wa, and some others). Chapter VI examines the relationship between the A and B patterns and compares the various types of B pattern. Results are discussed and contrasted with earlier research.