Why Not a Topic in a Relative Clause?

Abstract

What is of interest in the interaction of relativization and topicalization is that it is not possible for the two rules to apply in a single clause and produce a topic within a relative clause. Consider the following Korean sentences.

(1) *i salam-i (i chaek-un Chelswu-ka cwun) Yenghi-ita. this man SM this book TOP SM gave be '*This is Yenghi whom the book Chelswu gave to.'

(2) '*(Yenghi-nun Chelswu-ka manna-n) hakkyo-ka phakoytoYessta. TOP SM met school SM was-detroyed '*The school which Yenghi Chelswu met in was destroyed.'

(3) *(ku totwuk-un caphi-n) swunkyeung-i sang-ul patassta. the thief TOP was-caught policeman prize received. '*The policeman whom the thief he was caught by was awarded.'