Tópico discursivo em textos plurissemióticos : proposta de formalização teórica

Abstract

Discursive topic is an analytical category adopted by the Textual-Interactive Perspective (TIP) to operate in the description and analysis of textual organization. Being initially conceived for the study of spoken text in the context of the Grammar of Spoken Portuguese Project (GSPP), the discursive topic was gradually reformulated by studies within the scope of TIP in order to be also used in written texts. However, an in-depth discussion on how the topical organization of multi-semiotic texts (language events that mobilize verbal and non-verbal signs) must be set has not been developed yet. Therefore, this research proposes the following question: which theoretical revisions does the discursive topic category need to undergo in order to carry out the analysis of multi-semiotic texts, as well? Given this problem, the main objective of the investigation is to rethink the concept of discursive topic, so this category may also be applicable to the analysis of multi-semiotic texts. Considering non-verbal elements in the defining properties of the topic is a challenge that requires, in addition to rethinking the principles that underlie the theory, the very conception of text, and formalizing the analysis through the use of categories specific to Textual Linguistics. The discussion on the properties of the topic in multi-semiotic texts pointed to the possibility for the category to be adapted: the property of centering can be demonstrated by verbal and nonverbal references; organicity, however, needs to be assisted by the notion of relief. Through these adaptations, TIP expands its application potential for a theoretical object considered from other predicates and relationships.