Showing papers in "Letras & Letras in 2012"

The Construction Network Reconfiguration Hypothesis

Abstract: In this paper I develop the Construction Network Reconfiguration Hypothesis, according to which construction networks may have their inheritance links changed over time due to the emergence of new constructions via grammaticalization. In order to demonstrate such hypothesis, I investigate, under a diachronic approach, the configuration, in Brazilian Portuguese (BP), of a radial network of 11 constructions, which all share the para infinitive syntactic schema as well as some variation of the semantic frame of Purpose. I present a corpus-based analysis of the inheritance links found among the constructions; moreover, I investigate the history of each construction, from Medieval Portuguese to BP. This analysis supports the claim that, throughout time and due to grammaticalization processes, new para infinitive constructions have been incorporated to an original network composed of four constructions. The emergence of such new constructions promoted the reconfiguration of the networks for each century.

Pronomes Locativos em Construções do Português Contemporâneo

Abstract: Description and analysis of nominal and verbal constructions of contemporary Portuguese formed of locative pronouns. Approach of these formations, based on the perspective of grammaticalization, make it them as more advanced level of a cline what makes that some arrangements of the lexical level comes to assume function in the pragmatic-discursive scope. In that path, significations more objectives (spatial) are recruited to articulation of more subjective or intersubjective meanings (logical and textual). Most prominent are the metonymic relations and use of these conventionalization micro-constructions.

Opaque nasalization in ludlings and the precedence relations of reduplication and infixation

Abstract: We examine the pattern of opaque nasalization in two invented language games (ludlings), as played by volunteers who were native speakers of the dialect of Brazilian Portuguese spoken in the city of Salvador. One group of speakers showed an opaque pattern, in which nasalization over-applied in the

Gramaticalização e desgramaticalização no percurso do pronome se

Abstract: This article aims to demonstrate that in the variable use of certain constructions with a pronoun in Brazilian Portuguese, it is possible to identify the process of grammaticalization as well as the process of degrammaticalization. It is intended to show that there are cases of deletion of the se pronoun (be it reflexive, ergative or expletive/ inherent) – which illustrates the stage zero of grammaticalization (VITRAL, 2006) – and cases of the emergence of the pronoun – which illustrates an initial stage of degrammaticalization. The accurate identification of the ongoing process requires, apart from the diachronic perspective, a model that comprehends the processes of emergence, deletion and maintenance of constructions as a result of dealing with previously existing structures in the system under analysis. The Construction Grammar model (GOLDBERG, 2003; GONCALVES et al., 2007; SALOMAO, 2009) is useful to this proposal.

The Conclusive Clause In Portuguese: An Approach Combining Grammaticalization Theory and Construction Grammar Theory

Abstract: This paper constitutes an analysis of a type of clause that the grammatical tradition of the Portuguese language calls conclusive clauses, grounded on a usage-based approach, which combines theoretical principles of grammaticalization and construction grammar. Adopting a distinction between schematization and grammaticalization, this paper proposes that grammaticalization is related to the construction patterns that undergo semantic change towards the grammatical end of the meaning continuum, which can be seen in clause-combining constructions. In this point of view, not only new grammatical morphemes rise with the process of grammaticalization, but also new constructions, so the reanalysis of grammatical markers which link the clauses are directly related to the grammaticalization processes that develop clause-linkage structures. Since constructions are connected by inheritance relations, this paper brings an example of how new functions developed historically by grammatical markers can be related to the rise of a new construction, presenting an overview of how the archaic conclusive por ende turned into the present day Portuguese porem with adversative value.

Construções Binominais Quantitativas

Abstract: This paper aims to describe the quantitative binomial constructions related to a more general pattern um N1 de N2. For that, it will be used as the theoretical basis the principles of Usage-based Linguistics, Goldberg’s grammar construction and grammaticalization process understood as the formation of new grammatical patterns in language. Finally, we propose a constructional network involving the constructs described, which will be justified in terms of grammatical factors and cognitive function.

Seleção da Forma Nominal no Interior da Perífrase Verbal: Resultado de Uma Restrição Sintática da Gramaticalização de Auxiliares

Abstract: An auxiliary verb results from a process of grammaticalization in which a full verb becomes an auxiliary verb, forming a construction (verbal periphrasis). The success and productivity of such construction, however, result from a government relationship established between the governing term and the governed one, according to certain criteria. The diachronic research undertaken for five of the prototypical auxiliary verbs of the Portuguese language allowed the range of the following generalizations, which are discussed throughout this article: (a) in a verbal periphrasis, the selection of the forms is a consequence of restricting the syntactic contexts of the grammaticalized item and it is governed by the grammaticalized term, that is, by the auxiliary verb (regent term, therefore), which selects the nominal forms (governed term) with which