A ORDEM DOS CONSTITUINTES NO PORTUGUÊS BRASILEIRO CONTEMPORÂNEO: UMA ABORDAGEM FORMALISTA E FUNCIONALISTA

Abstract

This article analyzes the variation between subject-verb (SV) and verb-subject (VS) word orders in contemporary Brazilian Portuguese. Using a qualitative approach, it aims to describe the characteristics of these constructions and evaluate the conditions that motivate the inversion of the canonical order. Traditional Grammar considers the SV order as predominant and attributes a stylistic value to the VS inversion, related to emphasis. However, this explanation is contested by functionalist linguists, who argue that the VS version occurs frequently and is related to discursive and contextual factors, not just stylistic ones. To investigate these occurrences, we analyzed sentences extracted from Oscar Wilde's short story 'The Selfish Giant,' observing in which contexts the inversion occurs and whether or not it alters the meaning of the sentence. The results point to a greater syntactic variety than that predicted by traditional norms, reinforcing the importance of considering functional aspects in the study of constituent order in Portuguese.

Keywords: Order of constituents. Portuguese of Brazil. Functionalism.