A systemic functional description of modal particles in Brazilian Portuguese: the system of assessment

Abstract

This paper aims at describing interpersonal discourse markers in the Brazilian Portuguese related to assessment orientation. More specifically, it offers a systemic functional description for the system of VALIDATION. In Brazilian Portuguese, VALIDATION is realized by Modal Particles. As a consequence, a description of Modal Particles – including their class organization and frequency along modes (spoken/written & monologue/dialogue) and along text types are presented. The method consists of a corpus compilation based on the typology of language in context, and of the analysis of Modal Particle functions trinocularly: “from below” separating them out in terms of class and delicacy; “from roundabout”, in relation to other interpersonal systems of MOOD and MODAL ASSESSMENT; and “from above”, describing VALIDATION contribution to the unfolding of dialogue. Results suggest VALIDATION is a continuity of MOOD, consisting of more delicate MOOD options and a complementarity of MODAL ASSESSMENT, responding for the evaluation of speaker’s role and realizing part of ENGAGEMENT.