GRADUALITY IN DISCURSIVE-FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR THE CASE OF THE NONETHELESS PERIPHERAL FORM

Based on Functional Discourse Grammar model (HENGEVELD; MACKENZIE, 2008), this paper analyzes, in contemporary Portuguese data, the compositional structure and the discursive functions of the periphrasis ainda assim. Considering functional and formal properties, it is argued that ainda assim corresponds to a semifixed form with lexical status and that two pragmatic properties underlie its use: retroactive-propeller sequenciation (TAVARES, 1999; 2000) and adversity meaning (SCHWENTER, 2000). In FDG, ainda assim is represented, in the Interpersonal Level, as an adversity modifier with complex internal structure (FONTES, 2016) and it is coded, in the Morphosyntatic Level, as a semi-fixed template (KEIZER, 2013). Such analytical considerations imply some revisions in FDG model, especially regarding the representation of graduality in the emergence of periphrastic forms via lexicalization (BRINTON, TRAUGOTT, 2005).