Forte que nem touro, alto que nem torre, livre que nem passarinho: a configuração de uma construção hiperbólica do português

Abstract

The construction of superlative concepts through figurative projections is a very common phenomenon to Portuguese Language, observed both in written and oral speech, and promotes the emergence of constructional patterns with sophisticated mechanisms for structuring conceptual and formal a language pattern. This study identifies, describes and analyzes one of these patterns: the Hyperbolic Construction by Simile – CHS, with special emphasis on its instances instituted by the syntactic articulator que nem, as illustrates the following types: (1) A pobreza é que nem um câncer; (2) Passou por mim que nem um rabo de vento e (3) Inocência enrubesceu que nem uma romã. The central theoretical assumptions comes from two of the most relevant models developed inside Cognitive Linguistics, namely the Construction Grammar as Used-based Model (GOLDBERG, 1995, 2006, LAKOFF, 1987; SOLOMÃO, 2002-2007, 2009; MIRANDA, 2008-2010; BOAS, 2010) and Frame Semantics (FILLMORE, 1968, 1977, 1982), whose thesis point to the importance of the language use and the experience (of all orders) in the cognitive architecture of the lexicon and grammar. In this framework, it is chosen a corpus-based methodological procedure, with the examination of token and type frequencies (GOLDBERG, 2006; BYBEE, 2007; CROFT & CRUSE, 2004). The results certify the specific semantic-pragmatic value of these hyperbolic expressions of Portuguese, assuring them the status of instances of a constructional pattern (the CHS) integrated for three subpatterns. The construction is linked to the Degree Modifying Generic Construction of which construct (FILLMORE, LEE-GOLDMAN & RHODES, 2010) is drawn by the presence of two construction elements (CE): a CE SCOPE or a gradable core and a complex phrase (CE DEGREE_MODIFIER) resultant from the expansion of the CE SCOPE valence. Evoking the frame Position_on_a_scale, CHS has its Hyperbolic_value ensured by the comparison by Simile. In terms of its discursive function, this construction evoked by que nem, markedly informal, whether in oral or written form, demarcates the area of self expression and subjectivity in interactive frames.