A PALAVRA PROSÓDICA EM PORTUGUÊS BRASILEIRO: UM ESTUDO SOBRE O ESTATUTO PROSÓDICO DAS PALAVRAS FUNCIONAIS

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper discusses the prosodic behavior of the function words in Brazilian Portuguese. Our hypothesis is that, depending on the position they occupy within an intonation phrase (I), function words can be prosodized as independent phonological words or as clitics. When in internal position within I, they are not pronounced as stressed. In this case, they adjoin to the following lexical word in the post-lexical level, behaving like a free clitic. On the other hand, if they occupy the final position of I, they can receive a stress post-lexically, behaving like independent prosodic words.