Grammaticalization and discursivization of the particle ‘aí’ under the lens of functionalist theory

Abstract

The functionalist approach seeks to explain the regularities observed in the interactive use of language by analyzing the discursive conditions in which this use occurs. In this context, this study aims to discuss the process of grammaticalization of the particle "aí," traditionally regarded as an adverb of place within a systemic view of language, but which comes to serve, in specific usage contexts, a different grammatical function. To guide the discussion proposed here, we draw upon the concepts of grammaticalization and discursivization as proposed by Cunha et al (2001, 2003, 2011, 2013, 2016), as well as concepts from the Functional Linguistics Theory developed by Martelotta (1996, 2011). Within this theoretical framework, we analyze a fragment of episode #251 of the 'Pod Delas' podcast as our corpus of analysis. Through this study, it is observed that the particle "aí" undergoes the process of grammaticalization. Furthermore, to expand this analysis, we propose to consider whether the use of this particle can also be understood as a process of discursivization (Martelotta, 1996, 2011), given that the trajectory of this process occurs from the lexicon to discourse via grammar, and the term then assumes the function of a discourse marker. The discussion in this essay allows us to infer that, in specific contexts, the particle "aí" can be both grammaticalized and discursivized.