As categorias tempo, aspecto, modalidade e referência na significação dos pretéritos mais-que-perfeito e perfeito: correlações entre função(ões)-forma(s) em tempo real e aparente

Abstract

In this research we study change and variation in the simple and compound forms of pretérito mais-que-perfeito and pretérito perfeito in real and apparent time. We focus the correlation between function(s) and form(s) considering time, aspect, modality and reference (TAMR). We demonstrate changes in function (TAMR combination), meaning (TAMR concept) and features (TAMR features) as a result of change in the TAMR categories. Three types of change are considered: semantic – enlarging, reduction or alteration of meaning, features and functions; categorial– class change (for instance, verb to interjection) and substitution change – the situation of one form being replaced by another in variation contexts. We are also interested in the linguistic and social motivations which condition variation and trigger change. Two theoretical frameworks support our proposal: Variation and Change Theory and Linguistic Functionalism. In order to develop this study we use historical written Portuguese data from theatrical plays, letters and testimonies (XVI to XX centuries), and also spoken Portuguese data from Entrevistas Sociolingüísticas/UNESC and VARSUL/UFSC Databases (from five groups with the following age ranges: 05-06, 09-11, 15-24, 25-49 years old, and more than 50 years old). This synchronic-diachronic proposal is relevant because it reveals and validates generalizations on linguistic change, by empirical control.