The Diachronic System of the Left Periphery of Subordinate Clauses in Hungarian

Abstract

Adopting a minimalist framework, my paper investigates the diachronic changes affecting complementisers and relative operators in Hungarian subordinate clauses, showing that the elements of the present-day system are derivable via the same mechanisms and that the different positions are chiefly due to different timing. The mechanisms in questions – the relative cycle in particular – derive from general economy principles and as such applicable for all Hungarian complementisers, which started as operators. Moreover, the issue of combinations – multiple complementisers and the co-occurrence of complementisers with operators – will also be shown to be principled. Though the main focus will be on Hungarian phenomena, I will also demonstrate that the processes in question can also be traced in English, albeit with a different outcome, which will also be accounted for. In this way, the diachronic examination of the Hungarian left periphery can prove to be fruitful for a better understanding of diachronic cyclical changes.