Negative verbal structures in Paulistano Portuguese: envelope of variation

Abstract

This paper proposes an envelope of variation for the study on verbal negation structures in Paulistano Portuguese. Although Brazilian Portuguese maintains a threefold system of verbal negatives (NEG1, NEG2, and NEG3), this paper argues that Paulistano Portuguese envelope of variation consists of two structures (NEG1 and NEG2). For this study on verbal negatives, the discussions are based on examples extracted from a sample of 12 recorded interviews distributed equally in two genders, three ages and two levels of formal study. In order to define the envelope of variation for the study on negatives in São Paulo, this paper discusses the model presented by Schwenter (2005).