The role of syntax in the acquisition of adjectives in Brazilian Portuguese

The objective of the present study is to discuss the acquisition of the syntax of qualifying adjectives by children. Due to its flexible category, the challenge to acquiring these syntactic possibilities is expected. Based on the analysis of spontaneous speech transcription, and the contributions of published studies on the subject, we raise the hypothesis that although children initially mark a parameter of order, which allows the production of postnominal adjectives, they will need to review the use of this rule in language induced by some clues in their input. The adjective name order will only emerge when a parameter remarking in their language has only weak traits, with an in situ adjective for a consistent marking, which may be either strong or weak. Therefore, we present arguments in favor of an analysis, which classifies Brazilian Portuguese as an optional strong trait language that apply to adjectives, as well as to WHs and to possessives.