Comprehension vs. production of oblique relatives by Italian-speaking typically developing individuals, from primary school to adulthood

This paper discusses both the comprehension and the production of oblique, pied-piping relative clauses from primary school age to adulthood. Relative clauses that are not produced before 10 years (Guasti & Cardinaletti 2003) are however comprehended in high percentages and above chance since primary school age. Production appears to be related to the educational level and experience with the formal register, as shown here by the comparison of different groups of students and adults. Unlike what happens with object relatives (Adani et al. 2010, 2014; Volpato 2010, 2019), number mismatch does not facilitate the comprehension of oblique relatives, nor their production.