A syntactic and semantic analysis of aspectual verb deixar in Brazilian Portuguese
aspectual verb deixar, unergative verbs, deverbal nouns, pejorative interpretation
This work aims to analyze the occurrences of the Brazilian Portuguese structure [deixar + N], such as in João deixou de falatório. However, deixar imposes syntactic and semantic requirements that do not allow that any nominal item freely goes along with this verb. We defend in our study that deixar selects for a deverbal noun that derives from a class of intransitive verb, i.e., unergative verbs. Consequently, this combination has to create a pejorative meaning that expresses disapproval and/or a negative assessment. Based on Pontes (1973), Lobato (1975), Fábregas (2019), Perlmutter (1970), Newmeyer (1975), Rochette (1999) and Grano (2016), we described the nature of deixar, as well as its auxiliary behavior in a periphrastic structure. Moreover, we presented a semantic profile of this verb based on the works of Bertucci (2011) and Oliveira; Cunha & Gonçalves (2004) so that we could analyze the construction [deixar + N] in a deeper manner.