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

Abstract

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