Introduction

1. (i) A relative pronoun is a pronoun which joins a main clause to a subordinate clause called a relative clause. The pronoun represents a noun or pronoun in the main clause or even the whole of the main clause. The noun, pronoun or clause represented by the relative pronoun is called its antecedent.

2. (ii) Relative pronouns in French can be simple (e.g. qui, que) or compound (e.g. lequel, auquel, duquel).

3. (iii) Difficulties can arise between French and English because of the following differences:

1. – Some relative pronouns can be omitted altogether in English. This is never the case in French.

2. – There can be a choice of relative pronouns in English when translating from French.

3. – Conversely, there can also be a choice of relative pronouns in French when translating from English.

4. – French relative pronouns have to be selected according to their antecedents in a way which is different from English.

5. – French relative pronouns whose antecedent is an indirect object are determined by the preposition that follows the verb.

6. – In more complex sentences, the word order can be different in the two languages, in the main clause as well as in the relative clause.

7. – Some English relative pronouns (e.g. when, why) can also have other functions (conjunctions or interrogative adverbs), in which case they may be translated differently into French.