Internally Headed Relative Clauses : The complexities of a sentence within a sentence

Abstract: This paper focuses on the use of relative clauses, specifically internally headed relative clauses in Japanese. Previous research on different types of relative clauses occurring in Japanese is also presented. The main purpose of the thesis is to give an up to date analysis of the understanding of relative clauses. A survey was carried out to further research at what point sentences with relative clauses get too complex. The survey gathered 40 valid responses from all Japanese native speakers. The result of this survey is analyzed and compared with previous research, especially research done by S.-Y. Kuroda. The result of the survey is that there is not a very clear line to be found. The respondents seemed to be able to understand even the more complex sentences, with different types of internally headed relative clauses presented to them. The respondents however agreed that the sentences sound unnatural and too complicated.