Abstract

LUCCHESI, Dante  and  ROCHA, Franciane. THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE PRESENT AS A STRUCTURAL NICH OF THE CHANGE THAT AFFECTS THE EXPRESSION OF THE FUTURE IN BRAZILIAN PORTUGUESE. Lingüística [online]. 2022, vol.38, n.1, pp.123-142.  Epub June 01, 2022. ISSN 2079-312X.  https://doi.org/10.5935/2079-312x.20220008.

The replacement of the simple form verbal future by a periphrastic form consisting of auxiliary ir in the present followed by the infinitive of the main verb fits into a general tendency of the Romance languages ​​to substitute synthetic verbal forms for analytical ones that go back to their Latin origins. This change is very advanced in Brazil, being that simple future is already almost absent from Brazilian vernacular speech, although its use remains in writing and in the more formal uses of the language. However, it is observed that the use of the present indicative for future expression remains constant. This variant corresponds to one fifth of the verbal forms that express futurity.

Based on a quantitative variationist analysis, this article will seek to characterize this use as a structural niche in the process of variation and change. It is determined by very precise structural restrictions, but is not affected by extralinguistic factors, which would explain its maintenance.

Keywords : verbal future; simple present tense; linguistic variation and change; Brazilian Portuguese; structural niche.

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