Abstract
In the contribution, the problem how pronouns introducing content clauses are classified in Czech linguistic literature is discussed. The classification of these pronouns depends on how interrogative and relative pronouns are defined in the given approaches.
Basically, two different types of approaches are described. Firstly, relative pronouns are defined broadly as only attaching a dependent clause to its governing one; pronouns introducing content clauses belong then to this subgroup of pronouns.
In this connection, interrogative pronouns occur only in direct questions. In approaches of the second type, which we subscribe to, the constitutive feature of relative pronouns is their relation to an element of the governing clause.
The main characteristic of interrogative pronouns is the reference to an unknown person/object – pronouns introducing both questions and content clauses are interpreted as interrogatives; this classification is advantageous for several reasons, which we try to indicate.