Possible conventional implicatures triggered by ergative sentences followed by “sozinho(a)”

Abstract

This article seeks to investigate the hypothesis that ergative structures trigger conventional implicatures by exploring the possibility of inferences generated not only by specific words but also by syntactic structures. Utilizing a functional-pragmatic theoretical framework with authors such as Cançado and Ciríaco (2009) and Grice (1975), this qualitative research relies on data extracted from complaints on Reclame Aqui. The methodology includes data reduction, analysis, and presentation of conclusions. This investigation may hold value for linguistics by bringing functional syntax and pragmatics closer together, attempting to delineate more clearly the boundaries between semantics and pragmatics, thereby expanding the study field of the latter. By testing whether implicatures are triggered by lexical and syntactic items, the research concludes that (a) ergative structures followed by "alone" generate conventional implicatures; (b) the transitive paraphrase entails – not implies – information; and (c) attributing syntactic triggers to conventional implicatures reconsiders the idea that they are purely semantic.