Constructionality of the Verb Toarrive in Verbal Periphrases: a Question of Reference
Authors: Rocha Nayara Crisley Barreto Brasil Farias , Sousa Valéria Viana 
Published: December 2024

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate referential processes in authentic communication contexts and analyze how verbal constructions of the type [V1 (and) + V2] reveal patterns of constructionality through an intersection of Construction Grammar, Functional Linguistics, and Cognitive Linguistics.

Theoretical Framework: The main concepts and theories that underpin this research are: i. Construction Grammar (Goldberg, 1995), a theory that proposes that language is composed of constructions—units formed by combinations of form and meaning that together perform specific communicative functions. Each construction is an association between a syntactic structure and a pragmatic meaning; ii. Usage-Based Functional Linguistics (Bybee, 2010; Givón, 1995), a branch that views language as a dynamic phenomenon, shaped and structured by use in real communication contexts. The term Usage-Based Functional Linguistics (UBFL), adopted in our work, is, according to Bybee (2010), a new nomenclature for Usage-Based Linguistics, which, in turn, originates from North American Functionalism (Talmy Givón, Paul Hopper, Elizabeth Traugott, Sandra Thompson, Bernd Heine). It is a linguistic approach whose concepts of grammar and language are permanently associated with use, adding to it the theoretical assumptions of cognitive linguistics (Lakoff; Johnson, Ronald Langacker, Leonard Talmy, and Adele Goldberg); iii. Cognitive Linguistics (Lakoff, 2004), as developed by Lakoff (2004) and Fillmore (1982), posits that language is closely connected to the mental processes and cognitive structures of speakers.

Methodology: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a qualiquantitative approach, centered on the analysis of examples from Brazilian Portuguese in real usage situations. The study design involves the observation and analysis of linguistic constructions in samples extracted from the Corpus of Cultured Portuguese of Vitória da Conquista (Corpus PCVC) and the Corpus of Popular Portuguese of Vitória da Conquista (Corpus PPVC). Both are composed of 24 (twenty-four) oral interviews, duly transcribed according to Labovian guidelines. For the data analysis of this research, we used AntConc, 64-bit Windows version (3.5.9), released in 2020. AntConc is a widely used corpus analysis tool for linguistic studies, allowing detailed searches and analyses in large sets of textual data. This tool offers various functionalities, such as keyword searches, concordance analysis, collocations, and lexical frequency analysis, essential for investigating linguistic patterns. For this article, 107 occurrences of the verb arrive were analyzed in the selected corpora through 4 rounds in the AntConc computational tool, the results of which generated a frame table, later organized into a percentage graph. This procedure allowed us to conclude that in the present and past tenses of the indicative mood, the activation of frames that evoke entry into the scene and aspectuality prevails, primarily.

Results and Discussion: In the rounds of the PPVC and PCVC corpora using the AntConc program, 6,072 (six thousand seventy-two) word types were found in a total of 88,811 (eighty-eight thousand eight hundred and eleven) word tokens, combining both corpora. Among these words, we observed that among the 6,072 (six thousand seventy-two) constructions that constitute them, the verb arrive is positively ranked, as it occupies an intermediate position compared to the first and last constructions in the ranking. This implies that the verb arrive appears several times in the corpora, which is very significant in terms of productivity evaluation. Regarding the polysemy of the verb arrive, in the third person of the present indicative, the majority of examples of arrive function as a full verb, with characteristics of trajectory, displacement, and/or movement, although sometimes [+ abstract], sometimes [+ concrete]. However, in: a. arrives speak; b. arrives speaking; and c. arrives to speak, something different occurs. In these cases, the verb arrive does not serve to mark the physical movement of an entity but functions as an aspectualizer for the event denoted by V2. The presented data reveal the frequency and forms of the verb arrive in different constructions. Thus, in light of reference theory and the concept of frames, we can observe how the usage of the verb is shaped by contextual and interactional factors. The analysis reveals that of the 107 occurrences selected for analysis, the majority of constructions appear in the present indicative, followed by the simple past. And, among the four rounds of data in the AntConc computational tool, the entry into the scene reference stands out (with more than 70% of occurrences), followed by the aspectual reference (with up to 40% of occurrences).

Research Implications: This research has significant implications that can guide and contribute to the field of linguistic studies in investigating language use in real contexts. Teachers can reflect on the importance of creating or selecting teaching materials that integrate examples of real language use, highlighting the possibilities of meanings that verbs can convey in periphrastic constructions. In this direction, we emphasize the importance of a broader approach to reference, suggesting that analysis should go beyond grammar and include social and contextual factors.

Originality/Value: This research contributes to linguistic studies in its most recent aspect by addressing the issue of reference in an innovative way, integrating perspectives from cognitive and interactional theories, as proposed by Fillmore (1982-1988), Lakoff (2004), and Goldberg (1995). The originality of the research lies in the analysis of the verb "chegar" in periphrastic constructions, serving as an analogy for the observation of other similar constructions, revealing not only the nuances of linguistic use but also enriching the understanding of how reference is activated in real communication situations through the use of complex structures in the Portuguese language. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by its potential impact on the pedagogical practices of Portuguese teachers, who may reevaluate their classroom practices and develop teaching strategies that emphasize the importance of context in meaning construction. Furthermore, the theoretical implications of the findings may stimulate new investigations in the field of linguistics, encouraging other researchers to explore the relationship between language, cognition, and social context. This interconnection is crucial for the formation of a more comprehensive understanding of language dynamics, contributing to advancements in the understanding of linguistic practices in different contexts.