Irakurketa soziohistorikoa erlatibozko egitura ez-estandarren jatorriaz eta bilakabideaz

Abstract

In this paper we examine the use of the pronominal zein relative construction in Basque and changes it underwent. In particular, we try to explain the development of constructions in which a form of the pronoun is used to relativize all cases. This non-standard construction does not appear in historical canonical texts, but it is common in the 17-19th century texts belonging to the following genres: private letters, administrative letters, administration documents and notarial documents. We analyse the origin of the non-standard construction from the point of view of historical sociolinguistics, and propose that its development was linked, to (a) the knowledge that bilingual writers and scribes had of the writing code and genres, and (b) formulaic language and imperfect imitation which happened between writers.