Discourse markers refer to certain words and phrases, such as "well", "I mean", "because", and "however", which serve to connect sentences and paragraphs in a coherent and logical manner. Coined by linguist Deborah Schiffrin in 1988, these markers play a crucial role in both spoken and written language. Without them, the flow of information can be disrupted and the intended message may not be effectively conveyed.
The Role of Discourse Markers
But what exactly is the purpose of discourse markers? As previously mentioned, they serve to link ideas and maintain the coherence of a text. Let's take a closer look at each category of discourse markers and their specific functions.
Interpersonal markers are used to indicate the relationship between the speaker and the listener. They can convey various attitudes, such as perception, agreement, disagreement, and amazement.
Expressing Perception
Interpersonal markers like "look", "believe me", and "you know" are used to express perception and establish the relationship between the participants in a conversation. For instance, Evelyn shared, "It was such a horrible experience," and Amir responded with, "Believe me, I understand. It was just as horrible for me." Through these markers, the speaker and listener take turns conveying their perceptions of the situation.
Agreement and Disagreement
To express agreement, interpersonal markers such as "exactly", "absolutely", "certainly", "definitely", "okay", and "I see" are used. On the other hand, markers like "I'm not sure", "mind you", "I don't think so", "I beg to differ", and "not necessarily" convey disagreement. For example, Amir might say, "I think this is a very ugly vase," and Evelyn may respond with, "Absolutely! It's hideous" or "I don't think so. It looks fine to me." These markers help to establish whether the participants are in agreement or disagreement.
Expressing Amazement
Interpersonal markers like "wow", "wonderful", and "yay" are used to express amazement. For instance, when Maya exclaims, "Look at my new dress!", her friend responds with, "Wow! It's gorgeous!"
These markers typically come in the form of conjunctions and are used to indicate sequence, causality, and coordination between sentences.
Sequence Indicators
Markers like "now" and "then" are used to indicate sequence in a story. For example, Maya might say, "Now I'm fine. But you should've been there! He shouted at me." And Amir may respond with, "And then what happened?"
Cause and Effect
Markers like "because", "as a result of", "thanks to", and "due to" show cause and effect between actions. For instance, when Evelyn states, "I was late because my alarm didn't go off. Why were you late?" Amir responds with, "Thanks to my brother who was in the bathroom, I had to wait for half an hour before I could brush my teeth!" These markers help to explain the reasons behind an action.
Coordination and Non-Coordination
Referential markers like "and", "so", and "but" are used to indicate coordination and non-coordination between sentences. For example, depending on the markers used, Evelyn and Amir's conversation about being late can be perceived as a coordinated (using "and" or "so") or non-coordinated (using "but") exchange.
These markers indicate the hierarchy of actions in a conversation as they are being performed.
The Importance of Properly Using Discourse Markers
As shown, discourse markers are crucial in maintaining the coherence of a text and effectively conveying the intended message. Their correct use can enhance the flow and clarity of speech and writing. Hence, the next time you're communicating, pay attention to the discourse markers being used to better comprehend the intended message.
Structural discourse markers play a crucial role in conversations by signaling the most and least important points to the speaker. In a dialogue between Evelyn and Amir, we can see the use of these markers in action. Evelyn begins her statements with "First of all," and proceeds with "secondly" and "last of all," indicating the start and end of her argument. Similarly, Maya also employs structural markers such as "to begin with" and "in conclusion" to introduce and summarize her points.
Besides signaling the beginning and ending of statements, structural discourse markers are also used to introduce and summarize ideas. These markers include "so," "to start with," and "for a start" for introduction, and "in the end," "to sum up," and "in conclusion" for summarization.
Another category of discourse markers is cognitive ones, which reflect the speaker's thought process and understanding of the conversation. Examples of these markers are "I mean," "as I understand," and "mind you." By using these markers, the speaker can convey their thoughts and comprehension more effectively.
Discourse markers can also be classified as formal or informal, depending on the context and setting. Formal markers, such as "moreover" and "furthermore," are commonly used in professional or academic discussions. On the other hand, informal markers like "what's more" and "by the way" are used in casual conversations.
