The notion of deixis and its constitution in the Brazilian grammatical context: textualities

Abstract

The Brazilian grammatical tradition has been constituted and consolidated in line with its production method, involving the traditions of the time, thus revealing trends in the socio-historical-cultural environment of its producers. From this perspective, when we look at a given grammatical phenomenon, we seek to understand how this phenomenon is/was constituted, supported by the principles and contexts of the production of this grammatical knowledge. In this direction, this study seeks to reflect on the perception of the conception of deixis within the scope of three Brazilian grammars, from different moments, observing how this grammatical/linguistic phenomenon was constituted through the magnifying glass of these grammatical biases. The focus of the study was based on the following grammars: a) Fundamental grammar of the Portuguese language (MELO, 1968 [1970]); b) New grammar of contemporary Portuguese (CUNHA; CINTRA, 1985 [2008]); c) Portuguese grammar revealed in texts (NEVES, 2018). The analyses of notions of deixis, taking the selected grammars as the object, allowed us to understand that the concept of this referential process was written in important chapters in the history of Portuguese language grammar, provoking and opening paths for reflections on this phenomenon, highlighting and considering the contexts of its productions. Finally, we must say that grammatical production can and should reflect on important approaches linked to issues beyond those dictated by tradition, contemplating phenomena such as deixis, in order to favor those who seek grammatical guidance/reflections. We understand that there has been progress in the notes linked to the deictic issue, based on the temporal evolution of the grammars analyzed here.