Multifunctionality of mas ‘but’ in Portuguese

Hengeveld/Mackenzie (2008: 52) consider that the constructions with mas ‘but’ result from combination of two Discursive Acts different communicative statutes, there being a Nuclear Act, greater weight, and Subsidiary which will have rhetorical function named “Concession”. This paper aims to investigate various uses ‘but’, according Functional Discourse Grammar, in order determine pragmatic, semantic, morphosyntactic properties each case real occurrences Portuguese. The linguistic units through always indicates interpersonal strategies, are differentiated by intention speaker as well reflected layer involved. However, maintains capacity attribute most salient status information unit it scopes or operates on. We identified four layers: Move Operator layer, Emphasis Concession Act Contrast pragmatic Communicated Content layer.