Rotacismo no português brasileiro: uma análise do processo no município de Francisco Beltrão sob a perspectiva histórico-social

Abstract

The present study has as its main theme the realization of a historical-social analysis of the varacity variant, from vulgar Latin to Brazilian Portuguese, investigating how it currently presents itself in the city of Francisco Beltrão, located in the southwest region of the state of Paraná. We seek to analyse, with regard to the current momento f the language, weather this variant is still in use in the target community, as well as the social, linguistic and stylistic factors that may influence the production of the process. Rotacism, according to Câmara Jr. (1970), is characterized by the exchange of lateral / l / by liquid / r /, which can occur in the context of syllable coda (as in sal ~ sar; sol - sor) and / or in the context of complex onset (as in blouse ~ blouse). For the investigation and analysis of the production of rotacism from vulgar Latin to Brazilian Portuguese, the research is supported by the studies carried out by Ali (1971), Silva Neto (1977) and Coutinho (1976). For the elaboration of the methodological aspects and composition of the sample and construction of the instruments, the present study sought support in the proposals of Labov (1972, 2008) and Tarallo (2008). The selection of the subjects was carried out using the stratified random method, considering the variables age group, gender and education. Three moments were proposed for the interviews, as fallow: (I) naming and description of images; (II) production of phrases and (III) informal conversation on different topics. Twelve informants domiciled in the city of Francisco Beltrão participated in the study, with an average age between 18 and 80 years old, with 6 female informants and 6 male. The application of the rotacism variant can be verified - through documents, historical records and literary works - in the language from ordinary Latin to Brazilian Portuguese. In the city of Francisco Beltrão, regarding the occurrence of the phenomenon, the results point to a low rate of production of rotacism, which is more present in the speech of older and less educated informants.