An Study On Relative Clauses In Gouliang Fenghuang Miao Language

Based on the main data from Gouliang Fenghuang Miao Language and supplementary data from Huayuan Miao Language, Songtao Miao Language, Chuanqiandian Miao Language and Qiandong Miao Language, we describe and analyze the types of relaive clause and the features of their word orders in Gouliang Fenghuang Miao Language.In this paper we can describe types of relative clause in terms of whether there is a head noun, or where relative clauses occur in Gouliang Fenghuang Miao Language. Headless relative clauses omit the head in recoverable context.After comparing pronominal and postnominal types of relative clauses, we find that there are different characters between them, not only in aspects of the relativization marks, linear length and sematic-fuction, but also in the cognitive aspect. Although the two types have their own predominance——while postnominal type of relative clauses have an advantageous position on linear length, pronominal type of relative clauses have one on noun phrase accessibility hierarchy, all in all, pronominal type of relative clauses is more obviously superior.Postnominal type of relative clauses is the inherent one in Miao language, while the pronominal type of relative clauses acquired after.The reforming mechanics of post nominal type of relative clauses consist of two aspects:external cause and internal cause.Judging from the external cause, Miao language is being greatly influenced by Chinese owing to Miao nationality’s long-term contacts and communications with Han nationality, which provides conditions for Miao nationality to learn Chinese syntax——pronominal type of relative clauses. Then from the internal cause, when some attributives modify nouns, there are prepositive and postpositive attributes in terms of position. Beside, some prepositive attributes come into being and develop under the influence of Chinese, which provides appropriate conditions for increasing pronominal type of relative clauses word order.In addition, post nominal type of relative clauses can be normally converted to pronominal type of relative clauses, which opens the way for the emergence of pronominal type of relative clauses. Pronominal type of relative clauses word order is occupying a more and more important position under the condition that Miao nationality contacts frequently with Han nationality.