K problematice polovedlejších vět
On the issue of semi-subordinate clauses

Summary/Abstract: The concept and term polovedlejší věta (‘semi-subordinate clause’) is theoretically anchored in the formal-semantic level description of the language system. This description has been methodologically inspired by the distinctive features of the Prague Linguistic Circle phonology. Based on three features (subordinator, parenthesis, commenting), the semi-subordinate clause, by which the speaker comments on another clause, is delimited within this descriptive framework. Semi-subordinate clauses are unambiguously identifiable using a test of reversed relationship of clauses, cf. Jak vidím, jste soukromý detektiv ‘As I see, you are a private detective’ → Vidím, že jste soukromý detektiv ‘I (can) see that you are a private detective.’ The main section of the article is formed by a classification of semi-subordinate clauses in several parts. The first part is based on the classification according to subordinators: the centre of the system of semi-subordinate clauses is formed by clauses introduced by the relative pronominal adverb jak. Clauses with the relative consequential pronoun což and clauses with the relative introducing pronoun co are on the periphery. Clauses with conjunctions (jestli and its variants, and pokud and aby) lie between the centre and the periphery. The second part differentiates between attitude and stylization clauses. In the conclusion, the term semi-subordinate clause, reflecting a specific semi-category, is explained, and defended.

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