Introduction

Relevance of the Topic

Understanding linguistic varieties is fundamental for teaching the Portuguese language, as it allows students to perceive the language as a living and adaptable organism, reflecting cultural and social diversity. The theme 'Tu and Vós' delves into the analysis of forms of address and their conjugations, essential for mastering the standard norm and for understanding the nuances of everyday communication. Proficiency in these pronouns contributes to enriching the student's lexicon and to their ability to interpret texts from different periods and contexts, as well as enhancing communicative competence in different registers. This chapter also explores the issue of linguistic variation and change, highlighting the dynamic role of language and its reflection on social and cultural relationships, while emphasizing the importance of the standard norm in formal education.

Contextualization

The theme 'Tu and Vós', as a study object in the 8th grade of Elementary School, is situated in the broader context of learning grammar and the use of the Portuguese language. By analyzing forms of address and their respective verbal conjugations, the theme is inserted into the study of morphology, more specifically in the category of personal pronouns, and in syntax, by observing the relationship of pronouns with sentence structure. In the curriculum, this theme strengthens the foundation for more advanced studies in linguistics and grammar, preparing the student to recognize and apply language norms at different levels of formality and communication situations. Such knowledge is essential for the formation of critical readers and text producers aware of the expressive possibilities of the language. The chapter dialogues with the history of the Portuguese language, showing how the use of personal pronouns has evolved over the centuries and highlighting its relevance in literature, orality, and the linguistic identity of speakers.

Theory

Examples and Cases

Imagine that on a trip through Brazil, you encounter people who address each other using 'tu' and others who use 'você'. In some regions, you will find traces of the pronoun 'vós', especially in religious or old literary contexts. These are examples of linguistic diversity present in the use of personal pronouns of address in the Portuguese language, which oscillates between informal and formal, old and modern. An interesting case is that of Portuguese literature, where 'vós' was commonly used in texts until the 19th century, offering a glimpse today of linguistic practices from another era. These examples show how language evolves and adapts to the communicative needs of its speakers.

Components

Historical Background of Address Pronouns

The pronoun 'tu' has Latin origin and has remained over the centuries as a direct and personal form of address, used in communication with interlocutors to whom intimacy or social equality is attributed. 'Vós', on the other hand, also inherited from Latin, had a plural value and, over time, acquired a formal and respectful use, especially in situations involving authority or social distance. With sociocultural transformations, 'vós' fell into disuse in most contemporary Portuguese dialects, being replaced by other forms like 'vocês'. This historical context helps to understand why 'tu' and 'vós' demonstrate a sociolinguistic richness that transcends normative grammar and reflects changes in social and cultural orders in the history of the Portuguese language.

Verbal Conjugation and Agreement

The verbal conjugation linked to the pronoun 'tu' follows a pattern that remains stable in the standard norm: 'tu cantas', 'tu corrige', 'tu partes'. However, in several regions of Brazil, there is a simplification of this conjugation, using 'tu canta', 'tu corrige', 'tu parte', maintaining the verb form in the third person singular. This phenomenon, called 'verbal non-agreement', is one of the aspects of linguistic variation that manifests significantly in everyday use. On the other hand, the conjugation linked to 'vós' is more complex and less present in daily speech: 'vós cantais', 'vós corrigis', 'vós partis'. Familiarity with agreement rules is essential for the student who wishes to master the standard variety of Portuguese and, at the same time, understand the particularities of spoken language in different contexts.

Linguistic Variation and Change

Linguistic variation is the phenomenon by which language presents different forms of manifestation, depending on factors such as region, social context, and age group. In the case of the address pronouns 'tu' and 'vós', this variation is evident in Brazil, where 'tu' is widely used in some regions, while 'você' is preferred in others. Linguistic change, on the other hand, is a process that occurs over time, leading to the replacement of old forms by new ones, often driven by the need for simplification and efficiency in communication. The almost extinction of the use of the pronoun 'vós' reflects a significant linguistic change, marking the transition to the exclusive use of 'vocês' as the standard form for the 2nd person plural. Understanding these dynamics is essential to perceive language as a living organism, in constant evolution.

Deepening the Topic

For a more in-depth analysis, it is necessary to understand the interaction between language, society, and culture. Address pronouns reflect power, formality, and intimacy relationships, with 'tu' and 'vós' illustrating the complex tapestry of social meanings that language can express. The shift from 'vós' to 'você' illustrates the phenomenon of language democratization, accompanying the transformation of social structures. Furthermore, the variation in the use of pronouns points to a rich linguistic diversity that challenges the idea of a homogeneous and immutable language, highlighting the importance of flexibility and adaptability in human communication.

Key Terms

Address Pronouns: Words used to address or refer to a person, reflecting the formality level of the interaction. Verbal Conjugation: Variation of the verb form to agree with the subject of the sentence in number (singular or plural), person (first, second, or third), and tense/mood (present, past, future; indicative, subjunctive, etc.). Linguistic Variation: The different ways in which language manifests among speakers, according to geographical, social, age-related factors, among others. Linguistic Change: Transformations that occur in language over time, affecting phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexicon.

Practice

Reflection on the Topic

In the contemporary context, where the Portuguese language is used in multiple domains, from digital communication to formal environments, reflecting on the pronouns 'tu' and 'vós' offers a window into linguistic past and its current repercussions. Does the formality associated with 'vós' find a parallel in the forms of address we use today? How can the choice of a pronoun alter the interlocutor's perception of the degree of respect and closeness? These questions stimulate not only the learning of language as a system but also as a social practice laden with meanings and power.

Introductory Exercises

Rewrite the following sentences, replacing the pronoun 'você' with 'tu', making the necessary verbal changes: a) Did you understand the explanation? b) Are you going to the game tomorrow?

Convert the sentences that use 'tu' to use 'vós', maintaining the same message: a) Are you prepared for the test? b) Did you bring the books I asked you for?

Identify in which region of Brazil the following forms are more common and explain the reason for this variation: a) You are going to the party. b) You all are going to the party.

Create a short dialogue using 'tu' in an informal context and 'vós' in a formal context, highlighting the difference in treatment.

Projects and Research

Develop a research on the current use of 'tu' and 'vós' in the community where you live. Record informal conversations (with consent of those involved), interview people of different age groups, and compile the data. Analyze how these pronouns are used, or if they have been replaced by other forms, and reflect on the factors that influence these linguistic choices.

Expanding

In addition to 'tu' and 'vós', there are other forms of address in the Portuguese language and in other languages with specific connotations of formality, power, and respect. Examining how the pronouns 'senhor' and 'senhora' are used in Brazil, compared to 'usted' and 'ustedes' in Spanish or 'Sie' in German, can reveal surprising cultural similarities and differences in interpersonal communication. Interculturality and linguistic courtesy practices offer a fertile ground to understand how communication adapts to social and cultural contexts and what impact these variations have on the individual and collective identity of speakers.

Conclusion

Conclusions

The analysis of the use of the pronouns 'tu' and 'vós' in the Portuguese language has proven to be a journey through time as well as through the cultural and social variations of speakers. We observe that while the pronoun 'tu' has maintained its use in informal conversations, especially in certain regions of Brazil and in contexts that require closeness or intimacy, the pronoun 'vós' has gradually been replaced by 'vocês', reflecting social transformations and the search for a language that mirrors democratization and new power structures.

Through this chapter, it is evident that mastering the forms of address 'tu' and 'vós' and their verbal conjugations is not limited to prescriptive grammatical knowledge; it is also a dive into the cultural and social dynamics that shape the Portuguese language. The verbal non-agreement with the pronoun 'tu', common in several regions of Brazil, is an example of the language's plasticity and its adaptation to the communicative needs of speakers. At the same time, the study of the formal conjugation of 'vós' opens doors to understanding historical and literary texts, revealing aspects of language and culture from previous eras.

Finally, the examination of linguistic varieties and the evolution of personal address pronouns in the Portuguese language reinforces the importance of approaching language teaching with a perspective that encompasses both the standard norm and the different linguistic manifestations present in the daily lives of speakers. The knowledge acquired is not limited to the formal mastery of the language, extending to the understanding of language as a living phenomenon intrinsically linked to social and cultural context, a tool of identity and human interaction.