Grammaticalization of verbs: the verb esperar in Sao Paulo\'s cultured portuguese

Author(s)

Elaine Cristina Silva Santos

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH/SBD)
• Defense date: 2009-05-06

Examining board members

Maria Célia Pereira Lima Hernandes; Maria Lúcia da Cunha Victório de Oliveira Andrade; Denise Porto Cardoso

• Advisor: Maria Célia Pereira Lima Hernandes

Abstract

It is assumed that grammaticalization is the passage from a lexical to a grammatical item or from a less grammatical to a more grammatical one. We link this research to a theoretical framework of the Grammaticalization in a functionalist approach, we also argue about the linguistic change undertaken by the verb esperar (wait) until it reaches its functional standard of a conversational marker that is formed by the expression espera aí. A starting point, we elect a sample of the Paulistas (from São Paulo) standard spoken language material proceeding from the CAPH (Center of Support to the Research in History - FFLCH-USP), from the midia-library of the IEA (Institute of Advanced Studies) and the Project NURC/SP (Project Cultured Urban Norm of São Paulo) organized interviews. We evidence the discursive role of the interlocutor as the trigger for the rising of the more innovative functional standard. This dissertation is linked to the Group to Research Portuguese Grammatical Change - Grammaticalization (CNPq-USP). (AU)