Typology of relative clauses: the case of Berber

A relative clause is subordinate to a nominal element (noun or pronoun) called ``antecedent'', in order to define or complete its meaning. Therefore any language making use of relative clauses must: 1) make clear that the relative clause is indeed subordinate; 2) show which type of relation exists between the relative clause and the antecedent, i.e. what would be the grammatical function of the antecedent, should the clause be independent and include it. The different ways of answering that double constraint provide criteria for a typological classification of relative clauses. The article describes the choices made by a few Berber languages.