This essay will deal with discourse signals, with special focus on their function and meaning.
It is important to understand that in the term “discourse signals” two other terms are included: “interaction signals” and “discourse markers”, which are explained later on in the text.
Discourse signals as such, as the name already says, signal the structure of the discourse. They are usually used in order to make the interlocutor see one’s current relationship and attitude towards the state of the discourse. The signal therefore helps the listener expecting a certain utterance intention of the speaker. Hence the former can somehow foresee the intention of the latter.
The following text will go into detail concerning function and meaning of discourse signals.

Details

Title: Meaning and function of discourse signals
College: University of Bayreuth
Course: Written and Spoken English
Author: Catharina Kern (Author)
Publication Year: 2006
Pages: 10
Catalog Number: V70887
ISBN (eBook): 9783638626682
ISBN (Book): 9783638754798
Language: English
Tags: Meaning Written Spoken English

Meaning and function of discourse signals

Details