As relativas de grau no PB: uma leitura maximalizadora

Abstract

The objective of this squib is to discuss, from the viewpoint of Generative Grammar, relative clauses and, specifically, to propose that Existential Relatives and Quantity Relatives are to be classified as Degree Relatives. This classification is important for our understanding of maximalization. Building upon Grosu & Landman (1998), Grosu (2002), Bianchi (2002), Szczegielniak (2012) and De Vries (2002), we propose to analyze Degree Relatives in BP, beginning this analysis with a proposal regarding the maximalization of Target-DPs. We recognize that relative clauses generally take scope over the relativized head, yielding a restrictive reading in which the relative clause denotes the intersection of two sets: the set denoted by the relativized head and the set denoted by the remainder of the relative clause (i.e., the relative clause, minus the relativized head). In the case of Degree Relatives, the resulting reading is one of totality. In order to present this idea, we begin by presenting the characteristics of the two types of Degree Relatives, so that we may, in turn, discuss the notion of maximality.