Emergence of modal micro-constructions [dar]

Abstract

Drawing from a constructionist perspective, more specifically on Traugott and Trousdale (2013), and on studies on typology and modality change, this research investigates the emergence and development of modal micro-constructions “dar” in Portuguese. The aim is to identify incremental stages of change and inheritance relationships among these microconstructions. The study analyzes how alterations within this family of constructions may correspond with hypotheses of modality change. The research utilizes texts from the 14th to 20th centuries from the Portuguese Corpus (DAVIES; FERREIRA, 2006), and contemporary spoken language data from C-Oral Brasil and the NURC Project. The examination does not confirm semantic changes from “ability” to “possibility”, a hypothesis proposed based on predictions of modal semantic change. Instead, it reveals that the “ability transferential” micro-construction, in the earliest instances of the corpus, licenses a possibility sense and subsequently sanctions other micro-constructions. Throughout this process, there is a gradual annulment of the thematic grid of the verb “dar”, conventionalization of the impersonal micro-construction, and emergence of deontic uses. Reduction in compositionality, increase in productivity and schematicity are identified, interpreted as grammatical constructionalization.