The null subject parameter in Brazilian sign language
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31513/linguistica.2024.v20n3a65382Abstract
The Null Subject Parameter (NSP) has historically been studied by researchers of generative theory (Chomsky, 1981; Rizzi, 1982). Recent studies (Holmberg; Nayudy; Sheehan, 2009; Holmberg, 2010; Kato and Duarte, 2021) indicate that, in addition to positive or negative setting, there is also the possibility of partial setting to any parameter. In this context, based on the Theory of Principles and Parameters (Chomsky, 1981, 1986), on studies on the functioning of parameters in American Sign Language (Lillo-Martin, 1991), on studies on the syntax of Libras (Quadros, 1999; Royer, 2019) and on research on the functioning of the NSP (Chomsky, 1981; Rizzi, 1982), the present work discusses the behavior of the NSP in Libras. The methodology used for this study was the transcription of three videos of deaf women into Libras. To this end, a controlled vocabulary was created (sentences with and without null subjects; sentences with and without null expletives; and sentences with subject inversion) using the ELAN software. These transcriptions produced qualitative and quantitative data, considering that these data were counted and transcribed in the form of translations and glosses for contextual evaluation. The results demonstrated that Libras behaves as a partial null subject language, presenting occurrences of a null subject in certain contexts and the obligation of an explicit subject in others, which reinforces this partial PSN setting. Therefore, this research aims to contribute not only to linguistic studies in general, but also, specifically, to the syntactic understanding of visual-spatial languages.
Keywords: Null subject parameter. Brazilian Sign Language. Syntax. Generative theory.
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