Forma e função no ensino de gramática: a noção de sintagma como guia da definição de classes formais

Abstract

This paper discusses how the concept of phrase can be used as a formal unit in grammar teaching, guiding the definition of several notions in the prescriptive grammar. In doing so, we show how the notion of phrase can contribute to the contextualization of linguistic data, creating an opportunity to the empirical analysis of such data. Departing from definitions about parts of speech and syntactic functions normally found intextbooks, we show that there is applicability for the concept of phrase in the grammar curriculum. Such concept not only make the notions under study clearer, but also creates an opportunity for linguistic reflection related to the concepts under study, besides being a tool for a formal description of such notions. Thus, our proposal is to introduce some descriptive notions in grammar teaching to increase the linguistic repertoire of the students, clarify the boundaries between the functional and formal characteristics of the words and simplify the list of terminology traditionally employed in syntactic analysis. These small changes promote the exploration of internalized knowledge that all speakers have about their language.