This paper shows that the arguments presented by Ramos (1997) and Vitral (1996) to support the proposal of classifying the proform cê as a clitic do not account for the particular behavior of this proform in the Brazilian Portuguese pronominal system. To solve the problem, I reanalyze these arguments assuming the tripartite pronominal system approach, proposed by Cardinaletti and Starke (1999). According to this perspective, the evidence presented by the authors in favor of the cliticization of cê only shows that cê is not a strong pronoun. Cê is rather shown to be a weak pronoun, which explains its contrast with ocê and você, proforms that have both weak and strong counterparts.
proforms; clitics; weak pronouns; strong pronouns