complementizador

A complementizador is a linguistic concept referring to a word or phrase that completes the meaning of a verb, noun, or adjective, typically by providing a necessary complement. This can involve several grammatical functions. For instance, in Spanish, "complementizador" often refers to complementizers like "que" or "si" which introduce subordinate clauses, particularly object clauses or indirect questions. These words act as connectors, signaling that what follows is dependent on the main clause.

The role of a complementizador is to establish a grammatical relationship and provide essential information for the sentence to be complete and coherent. Without the complementizador and its associated clause, the main part of the sentence might be grammatically incomplete or semantically ambiguous. In some linguistic theories, complementizers are considered functional elements that mark the beginning of a clausal constituent. They are distinct from other types of conjunctions or prepositions, serving a specific purpose in clause linkage and subordination. The precise definition and scope of a complementizador can vary slightly depending on the specific linguistic framework or the language being analyzed.