O uso do item lexical gourmet como estratégia discursiva na produção de novos sentidos na língua portuguesa

Abstract

This paper analyzes the contemporary use of the term "gourmet" in Brazilian Portuguese, considering its French origin, its semantic transformation, and its incorporation as a symbolic marker of sophistication in the context of current consumption. Based on bibliographic research, it investigates how the foreign word ceases to refer only to the connoisseur of haute cuisine and begins to qualify products, services, and experiences that promise exclusivity, even if this superiority is often constructed symbolically and discursively. The study discusses gourmetization as a linguistic and sociocultural phenomenon that accompanies changes in consumption patterns, marketing practices, and the aestheticization of everyday life, revealing the influence of language in the creation of values, distinctions, and identities. By examining the circulation and impact of the term "gourmet," the work highlights how discursive practices and market strategies shape perceptions, behaviors, and aspects of Brazilian society in the 21st century.