The spatial distribution of negation in the interior of Bahia

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the spatial distribution of negation in the interior of the state of Bahia (Brazil). The study details an analysis that combines Sociolinguistics (LABOV, 2008 [1972]) with Linguistic Geography, yielding a geosociolinguistic study, based on data from the Linguistic Atlas of Brazil, ALiB (CARDOSO et al., 2014). Portuguese has three negation strategies: NÃO pre-verbal, NÃO pre- and post-verbal (double negation), and NÃO post-verbal. Marroquim (2008 [1945]), Rocha (2012) and Yacovenco and Nascimento (2016) relate pre- and post-verbal strategies to Northeastern speech. The present research identifies the three variants in Bahia, revealing nonetheless that, from the north to the south of the state, there is a gradual decrease of said Northeastern variants.