Relativization in Modern Israeli Hebrew is discussed from a number of
perspectives. First, it is shown that when the resumptive (anaphoric)
pronoun in Hebrew relativization is attracted to the position adjacent
to the head noun, the relative subordinator she may be deleted. In other
words, the pronoun may assume the perceptual function of relative
subordinator. Next, it is shown that the resumptive pronoun itself
functions as a perceptual simplifier in relativization, so that when the
order of constituents in the relative clause is one which may create
ambiguity or difficulty in assigning grammatical relations, the presence
of an otherwise optional resumptive pronoun becomes obligatory. This is
shown for both subject and object relativization. Further, it is shown
that the option of deleting the resumptive pronoun in Hebrew
relativization decreases when one goes down the scale of arguments:
subject accusative > simple prepositional objects > complex
prepositional objects. This hierarchy is discussed in the context of
syntactic perceptual complexity . Finally, a number of new developments
in the marking of relative clauses / pronouns is discussed, particularly
the ascendence of the use of WH -pronouns as relative subordinators, and
the suppletive effect this process has on the use of the subordinator
she- and the resunptive pronouns.
