Syntactic Analysis of Relative Clause Constructions in Yoruba

Relative clause constructions are a fundamental syntactic mechanism for nominal modification and information structuring in natural language, presenting a productive site for typological and cross-linguistic analysis. This study undertakes a syntactic analysis of relative clause constructions in Yoruba, drawing on data elicited from 50 native Yoruba speakers in Ibadan and Abeokuta, South West Nigeria. Using a descriptive generative syntax methodology, the study documents the formal properties of Yoruba relativisation, examining head-external and head-internal relative clause types, relativisation strategies, gap versus resumptive pronoun variation, and restrictions imposed by the noun phrase accessibility hierarchy. The study applies government and binding theory and minimalist programme concepts to analyse the syntactic derivation of Yoruba relative clauses. Existing literature on Yoruba syntax has engaged with relative clauses as part of broader noun phrase studies, but a dedicated monographic treatment focusing on the full range of relativisation phenomena in Yoruba remains scarce. This study fills that analytical gap. The research investigates whether Yoruba relative clauses involve movement of the relative head or in-situ operator binding, and how the language handles stacked relative clauses and non-restrictive modification. Findings are expected to confirm that resumptive pronouns are the dominant strategy in Yoruba relativisation while also documenting conditions under which gap strategies are available. Recommendations will address the integration of formal syntactic analysis into Yoruba linguistics pedagogy at the undergraduate level. Keywords: relative clauses, Yoruba syntax, resumptive pronouns, generative grammar, noun phrase modification.