The polysemy of mal in European Portuguese: A diachronic analysis

In this paper I provide a diachronic analysis of the lexeme mal, and I argue that the synchronic polysemy found in contemporary European Portuguese corresponds to different stages of the semantic change of the lexeme. Principles of diachronic pragmatics and semantic change are employed to detail the development of the different meanings. Two paths are analyzed: one, leading from the negative evaluation value as a manner adverb to the more recently semanticized meaning of temporality, specifically temporal proximity of one event to another, and a second one, leading from the manner adverbial meaning to a negation adverb, which is restricted to particular constructions.