Celtic influence and genitive resumptives

Abstract

This paper deals with resumptive pronouns in the genitive case in relative clauses and the influence that might be exerted upon these structures by Celtic languages. It is claimed that some arguments put forward in favor of possible Celtic influence upon resumptives (Roma 2007) need re-examination and the Celtic hypothesis in resumption should be treated with reserve. Specifically, it will be shown that neither geographical, chronological nor syntactic factors point unambiguously to Celtic influence. Despite some apparent similarities in the relativization systems of Early English and Celtic such as the use of personal pronouns as resumptives we need more evidence to claim that Celtic affected the relative system in the history of English.