Abstract

In the previous studies on the noun-modifying expressions ([{modifying structure} head noun]) in Marathi, the structure modifying the head noun in the so-called relative clauses and the noun-complement clauses is claimed to be a sentence or clause. In this chapter, adopting the framework of nominalization proposed in (Shibatani M. Syntax Complexity: Diachronic, Acquisition, Neuro-Cognition, Evolution: Typological Studies in Language 85, pp. 163–198. Amsterdam and Philadelphia: John Benjamins (2009); Shibatani M. In Masayoshi (Matt) Shibatani, Shigeru Miyagawa, and Hisashi Noda (eds.). Handbook of Japanese Syntax: Handbooks of Japanese Language and Linguistics [HJLL] Series, Volume 4, pp. 271–331. Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter Mouton (2017); Shibatani M. In Prashant Pardeshi and Taro Kageyama (eds.). Handbook of Japanese Contrastive Linguistics: Handbooks of Japanese Language and Linguistics [HJLL] Series, Volume 6, pp. 345–410. Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter Mouton (2018); Shibatani M. In Roberto Zariquiey, Masayoshi (Matt) Shibatani, and David Fleck. (eds.), Nominalization in Languages of the Americas. pp. 15–168. Amsterdam & Philadelphia: John Benjamins (2019)), we argue that the structure modifying the head noun in the relevant constructions is not a clause or sentence that performs the predication or assertion function, but it is rather a ‘(grammatical) nominalization,’ which, like ordinary nouns, denotes a substantive/thing (including abstract ones such as events, facts and propositions), and which performs referential function when it heads a noun phrase, and restricting or identification function when it modifies a head noun.