Semantic Extension in Grammaticalization as a Double-Scope Integration Process: The Case of the Ditransitive Construction with para in Brazilian Portuguese

Abstract

This article discusses the semantic changes inherent in the grammaticalization process that have led to the ditransitive construction [NP V NP para NP] in Brazilian Portuguese. We have tried to demonstrate that the high complexity of these changes cannot be conceived of solely as the result of a process of desemantization. As an alternative hypothesis, we propose that the conceptual structure of this construction is caused by a specific type of blending called doublescope blending. This type of blending is especially suitable for explaining one of the key features of the conceptual structure of [NP V NP para NP], namely the fact that this structure is composed of semantic aspects from different conceptual domains.