Invariable copula in inverted cleft sentences: an example of grammaticalization?

Abstract

http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1984-8420.2016v17n1p30

The present research aims to investigate diachronically sentences used to syn­tactically focalize constituents, the canonical and inverted clefts one. Such sentences are characterized by the sequences copula + Focus + que + IP and Focus + copula + que + IP. The research period range from the 16^th to the 19^th century, utilizing texts that make up the Tycho Brahe Parsed Corpus of Historical Portuguese. I try to present a discussion on the grammaticalization of the copula in inverted clefts trough the most important evidence from the phenomenon: the absence of tense agreement be­tween the copula and the verb of the subordinate clause.