A Study Of The Discourse Marker You Know In Films Starred By Tom Hanks

Discourse markers, known as linguistic devices, are frequently used in our dailycommunication. Based on the relevance theory, this thesis adopts quantitative andqualitative methods to study the features and the pragmatic functions of thediscourse marker you know in such well-known movies starred by Tom Hanks asForrest Gump, You’ve Got Mail, Philadelphia, and Sleepless in Seattle. The thesis isbuilt around the four issues as follows:1.What features the discourse marker youknow enjoys.2. What pragmatic functions it possesses in given data on theframework of relevance theory.3. How the discourse marker you know works out incommunication for optimal relevance.4. How those factors such as vocational,gender, and social class differences influence the usage of the discourse marker youknow in actual communication.As a result of scientific research, the thesis comes up with some findings asfollows. First, the discourse marker you know is able to impose certain influence onwhat the speaker intends to say so that the hearer can perceive what is reallyexpressed by assumptions. Second, it serves as a reminding, repairing, delaying, topicshifting, turn-taking, mitigation and waiting-response marker, which can be seen asseven pragmatic functions in films starred by Tom Hanks. Moreover, the usages ofyou know are related with the speaker’s vocation, gender and social background. Lastbut not least, the thesis intends to demonstrate how the discourse marker you knowacts in daily communication for more efficient personal interaction.Finally, the summary of the thesis is made, some limitations are put forward andthe enlightments for teachers and students to appreciate the classic film works，forthe future research and English language teaching and learning are pointed out aswell.