Reported conditionals and flexibility of viewpoint

Abstract

This paper proposes a new perspective on the investigation of conditional constructions in Brazilian Portuguese. Based on mental space theory, the analysis shows that the traditionally accepted notion of coherent epistemic stance has to be reviewed in order to account for embedded conditional constructions which occur in indirect reported speech. Since noncoherent epistemic stance may also occur, it is argued that discourse primitives such as Base, Viewpoint and Focus can provide a general explanation for the occurrence of both coherent and non-coherent embedded conditionals.

Keywords

• Condicionais. Discurso reportado. Ponto de vista