A study of the relative clause as a modifier in two Ghanaian newspapers

This article investigates the use of the relative clause as a modifier in two major Ghanaian newspapers-Daily Graphic and Daily Guide. Specifically, it examines how the three main relative clauses; namely, defining, non-defining and sentential have been used in the selected newspapers. Analyzing data drawn from both newspapers from 1st June-30th November, 2011, we discovered that both newspapers contained violations of the syntactic and semantic rules with regard to the use of relative clauses. These violations, we argue, could create potential sources of confusion for the reader in the interpretation of the sentences. The paper describes the nature of the violations and recommends that editors pay greater attention to this aspect of written communication. Furthermore, language courses in schools and institutes of journalism as well as universities in Ghana should pay substantial attention to the teaching of relative clauses as modifiers.