Vol. 16, Issue 1, Jul-Dec 2023

Page: 91-103

A Linguistic Study of Relativization in English and Arabic Letters to the Editor

Abdullah Ihsan Ni’ma, Prof. Manal Jasim Muhammad (Ph.D)

Received Date: 2025-02-17

Accepted Date: 2025-03-18

Published Date: 2025-03-28

This study is a contrastive linguistic analysis that investigates the use and functions of relativization particularly restrictive relative clauses (RRCs) and non-restrictive relative clauses (NRRCs) in English and Arabic letters to the editor. The study aims to identify the types, frequencies, and communicative functions of RRCs and NRRCs in both languages. It also aims to examine their syntactic structures and communicative functions across both languages. It further aims to investigate the similarities and differences in the distributional patterns and functional preferences of relativization between English and Arabic. Additionally , the study aims to investigate how writers strategically use relativization to enhance persuasion, elaboration, and rhetorical impact in their letters

Back Download PDF

References

• Badawi, E., Carter, M. G., & Gully, A. (2004). Modern written Arabic: A comprehensive grammar. Routledge.
• Community Tool Box. (n.d.). Letters to the editor. University of Kansas. Retrieved from https://ctb.ku.edu/en/tableof-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to- editor/main
• Crystal, D. (2003). The Cambridge encyclopedia of the English language (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
• Davies, A. (2007). An introduction to applied linguistics: From practice to theory (2nd ed.). Edinburgh University Press.
• Dickins, J. (2009). Arabic. In K. Brown & S. Ogilvie (Eds.), Concise encyclopedia of languages of the world (pp. 70– 75). Elsevier.
• Dixon, R. M. W. (1992). A new approach to English grammar, on semantic principles. Oxford University Press.
• Fisiak, J. (1981). Contrastive linguistics and the language teacher. Pergamon.
• Fox, B. A. (1987). Discourse structure and anaphora: Written and conversational English. Cambridge University Press.
• Fox, B. A., & Thompson, S. A. (1990). A discourse explanation of the grammar of relative clauses in English conversation. Language, 66(2), 297–316. https://doi.org/10.2307/414891
• Givón, T. (1993). English grammar: A function-based introduction (Vol. 2). John Benjamins Publishing.
• Givón, T. (1995). Functionalism and grammar. John Benjamins Publishing.
• Govande, V. (2010). Exploring the relative clause in English. Pune University Press. (Note: This is included as cited, but please verify its accuracy/publication details)
• Huddleston, R. (1988). English grammar: An outline. Cambridge University Press. Hudson, R. (1990). English word grammar. Basil Blackwell.
• James, C. (1980). Contrastive analysis. Longman.
• Johansson, S. (2008). Contrastive linguistics. In B. Spolsky & F. M. Hult (Eds.), The handbook of educational linguistics (pp. 99–110). Blackwell Publishing. Miller, J. (2002). An introduction to English syntax. Edinburgh University Press.
• Park, K. (2000). Relative clauses and syntactic embedding. University of Chicago Press. (Note: Please confirm citation accuracy if this is a real publication or course material)
• Perlmutter, D. M., & Soames, S. (1997). Syntactic argumentation and explanation. MIT Press. (Note: Confirm full citation if this is the intended source)
• Reibel, D. A., & Schane, S. A. (1969). Relativization in transformational grammar. Foundations of Language, 5(3), 343–351.
• Shaghi, A. (2014). Contrastive analysis and its application in language teaching. Al-Mustansiriyah University Press. (Note: Please verify if this is a real publication or unpublished thesis.)
• Stageberg, N. C. (1971). An introductory English grammar (3rd ed.). Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
• Tao, H., & McCarthy, M. (2001). Understanding non-restrictive which-clauses in spoken English, which is not an easy thing. English Language and Linguistics, 5(2), 293–320. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1360674301000265
• Yule, G. (2000). The study of language (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.