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The purpose of this paper is to describe the functions of ‘where’-based relative elements' in six Balkan languages, paying particular attention to non-standard varieties.2 Relative elements based on an originally interrogative pronoun meaning ‘where’ are attested in all Balkan languages and, more generally, in all European languages. In accordance with the locative meaning of the original pronoun, ‘where’-based relative elements are primarily used to relativize locatives. However, it will be shown that in some Balkan languages, and especially in non-standard varieties, these elements have extended their functional domain. This process does not appear to be random, but rather to pattern with the following hierarchy: locative > unspecific connector > other syntactic positions (indirect/direct object, subject).3 Additionally, ‘where’-based relative elements will be compared with ‘what’-based ones in order to highlight common patterns of development.
This paper is concerned with relative constructions in non-standard varieties of European languages, which will be analyzed on the basis of three typological parameters (word order, relative element, syntactic role of the relativized item). The validity of claims raised in studies on the areal distribution of relative constructions in Europe will be checked against the results of the analysis, so as to ascertain whether they still hold when non-standard varieties are examined.