DISCOURSE MARKERS
T R I W A H Y U N I F L O R I A S T I
DEFINITION
• Discourse markers are words and phrases that are used to manage and organize the structure of discourse. They connect sentences without changing the general meaning of what is being said. Discourse markers are also known as linking words, linking phrases or sentence connectors.
• Discourse markers are words and phrases such as '' well '', '' I mean '', '' because '' and '' however ''.
• The term 'discourse markers' was first introduced in 1988 by the American linguist Deborah Schiffrin.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF DISCOURSE
MARKERS?
• Discourse markers are helpful tools in making speech and writing both logical and coherent. Without discourse markers, the connections
between sentences and paragraphs wouldn't be as smooth or clear.
• Let's take a look at some examples with and without the use of discourse markers to see what effect they have:
EXAMPLE
WITH DISCOURSE MARKERS:
1) I don't like milk and it's not because I'm lactose intolerant.
2) I usually wouldn't go to the theatre but I'll go with you.
3) She's the most experienced doctor in the surgery, so they treat her with respect.
WITHOUT DISCOURSE MARKERS:
1) I don't like milk. I'm not lactose intolerant.
2) I usually wouldn't go to the theatre. I'll go with you.
3) She's the most experienced
doctor in the surgery. They treat her with respect.
EXPLANATION
• Note how the use of the discourse markers ('' because '', '' but '' and '' so '') help the phrases to flow a lot smoother. Without discourse markers, the
messages that are being sent might be vague and they might not even be understood.
W H AT A R E T H E F O U R
C AT E G O R I E S
O F D I S C O U R S E
M A R K E R S ?
Discourse markers are split into four broad categories:
a) Interpersonal discourse markers,
b) Referential discourse markers,
c) Structural discourse markers and
d) Cognitive discourse markers.
These categories were created by
Israeli linguist Yael Maschler.
1.
INTERPERSONA L DISCOURSE
MARKERS
The purpose of interpersonal discourse markers is to
indicate the relationship
between the listener and the speaker.
There are a number of
attitudes that show this
relationship:
a. Perception
Interpersonal discourse markers that show perception include words and phrases
such as 'look ', 'believe me' and 'you
know’.Example:
• EVELYN: It was such a horrible experience.
• AMIR: Believe me, I get it. It was horrible for me too.
• EVELYN: Look , I know it seems like a lot now, for both of us. But we'll be
fine. It's going to be alright, you know .
• AMIR: Yeah. I know.
'Believe me', 'look' and 'you know' are interpersonal
discourse markers that are used to express the
perception of the participants in the
conversation. They establish the relationship between
Evelyn and Amir who
exchange their turns as
listener and speaker back and forth.
E X P L A N AT I O N
b. Agreement or Disagreement
Agreement can be expressed through the use of interpersonal discourse markers such as
'exactly', 'absolutely', 'certainly', 'definitely',
'okay' ', and 'I see'. Disagreement can be voiced with interpersonal discourse markers such as
'I'm not sure', 'mind you', 'I don't think so', 'I beg to differ' and 'not necessarily’.
Example:
Agreement :
AMIR: I think this is a very ugly vase.
EVELYN: Absolutely ! It's hideous.
Disagreement :
AMIR: I think this is a very ugly vase.
EVELYN: I don't think so . It looks fine to me.
E X P L A N AT I O N
• Note how, depending on the different discourse
markers that are used,
Evelyn can express either
agreement or disagreement
with Amir's statement.
c. Amazement
Amazement can be expressed through the use of a number of different interpersonal discourse
markers, such as 'wow', 'wonderful' and 'yay’.
Example:
• EVELYN: Look at my new dress!
• MAYA: Wow! It's gorgeous!
E X P L A N AT I O N
The interpersonal discourse marker 'wow' enhances
Maya's expression of
amazement.
2.
REFERENTIAL DISCOURSE
MARKERS Referential discourse
markers are usually
conjunctions. They are used to indicate
the sequence,
causality (the cause and effect)
and coordination between
sentences.
