Early Modern English Relativisers: A Corpus–Based Study on which and the which

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the development of relative the which in Early Modern English scientific prose. The relative pronoun was common in Late Middle English and throughout the 1500s, but is reported to have disappeared during the 17th century (see, e.g., Rissanen 1999: 297). Past studies (see, e.g., Curme 1912; Reuter 1937; Mustanoja 1960; Rydén 1966 or Raumolin–Brunberg 2000) have only reached limited conclusions on the relativiser’s development or uses as opposed to plain which. Further, past accounts often contradict each other.

Focussing on the highly specific context of Early Modern English scientific writing, this project contributes to the discussion on the relative pronoun by providing two significant findings. The analysis revealed that the which may have been in use longer than previously assumed, namely until the end of the 17th century. Further, several instances in the data illustrated fine differences between the which and plain which, so far often treated as free variants. These differences can be traced back to the information parameter and indicate a preference for the which in non–restrictive clauses, succeeding clauses containing which (or that) when referring to the same antecedent.