a minimalist analysis of persian restrictive relative clause derivation

Within the minimalist program (mp), relative clauses (rcs) are considered complementizer clauses (cps) containing a c with an edge feature [ef] in the form of [wh] and [epp] but no tense feature. this study investigates persian rc derivation based on mp. by proposing two approaches, namely: (1) ‘ke-movement’ and (2) ‘null wh-operator (op) movement’, we will consistently argue and show that the null wh-op approach provides an appropriate generalization for persian restrictive rcs. adopting the latter, the results display persian rcs can be analyzed as cps with a null wh-op assuming to undertake wh-movement as copying and deletion from different syntactic positions, i.e., subject, direct object, object of preposition, etc. this operator allows a small pro in the subject position, leaving an optional null copy, either allowing an optional resumptive pronoun (rp) behind in direct object position or attaching to the verb; and obligatorily in indirect object and object of preposition positions as well as ezafe-construction. also, the edge feature of the probe, the complementizer ke, attracts the null wh-op to spec-c, for checking and valuing the unvalued [wh] and [epp] features. the long relative clause derivations can, correspondingly, work as expected by the successive cyclic movement of op through intermediate spec-c positions as well.