Distinctive Linguistic Features of Portuguese Language

This study examines the unique linguistic features of Portuguese within the framework ofUniversal Grammar (UG). Focusing on mesoclisis, nasal vowels, clitic doubling, and the variedfunctions of gerundives, we analyze how these distinctive characteristics emerge from specificparameter settings within universal language principles. The research employs Chomsky'sPrinciples and Parameters theory to provide a comprehensive understanding of these phenomena.Our investigation reveals that mesoclisis in Portuguese results from a unique interaction betweenclitic placement parameters and verb movement principles. The presence of nasal vowels isexplained through specific settings in the phonemic inventory parameter, while clitic doubling isanalyzed as an interplay between the theta criterion and pro-drop parameter. The multifaceteduse of gerundives is attributed to the interaction between the Extended Projection Principle andthe null subject parameter. we demonstrate how different parameter combinations within UGlead to the language's distinctive features. This approach not only elucidates the structuraluniqueness of Portuguese but also contributes to our broader understanding of linguisticuniversals and variations. The study's findings offer insights into the underlying structure ofPortuguese, its position within the Romance language family, and the flexibility of UniversalGrammar in accounting for language-specific phenomena.

Distinctive Linguistic Features of Portuguese Language Keywords:

Universal Grammar , Portuguese Linguistics , Linguistic Typology