A Study Of Pragmatic Functions Of Discourse Markers In A Dill Pickle Based On The Adaptation Theory

In daily communication, discourse marker is a common but special linguistic phenomenon in speech. Discourse markers are words and expressions or structures performing special functions. The propositional and semantic contents and the grammatical correctness of the utterances that discourse markers clinging to are not affected if they are removed, but the pragmatic appropriateness and interpersonal relationship in social level usually receive negative influence. Therefore, important practical value and significance lie in the study of discourse markers.Basing on the theoretical framework of language adaptation proposed by Verschueren, this thesis aims at the pragmatic functions of discourse markers. Firstly, it changes the traditional study habits of analysis of the language structures only at the level of syntactic and semantics, combines with the recent research achievements of linguistics to analyze its theoretical advancements. Secondly, this thesis emphasizes the influence on discourse markers performed by the language user’s cognitive status, so that the discourse markers generate more explanatory power rather than interpret the utterances merely from the perspective of listener. Finally, as a peculiar pragmatic mechanism in communication, the research for discourse markers enable people to investigate the psychological path hidden in the brain, and to further explore and master the laws of development of language, so that the language and discourse markers are applied more effectively and more appropriately so as to establish harmonious interpersonal relationships, and achieve the purpose of successful communication.The Adaptation Theory in this thesis is mainly presented from the following aspects: discourse markers are studied in linguistic contexts, in which the author combines the adaptation theory and the relevance theory together in order to generate a novel pattern called relevance-adaptation pattern; discourse markers are studied in the non-linguistic contexts, in which discourse markers reflect and indicate the meta-pragmatic awareness of language users.This thesis consists of six Chapters in which the introduction acts as the first chapter, giving a general presentation including study background, object and significance and methodology and Chapter two introduces the research home and abroad.Chapter three is the theoretical base of the whole thesis. It mainly introduces the Adaptation Theory. Verschueren regards the language communication as a continuous process of adaptation to choice-making, discourse markers can be interpreted as the result and means of language adaptation.Chapter four is mainly about the pragmatic functions discourse markers perform in their adaptation to relevance principle under the linguistic contexts. Discourse markers are selected to make adaptation to the optimal relevance to the present linguistic context in order to communicate and to reduce the listener’s processing effort when interpret utterances. Discourse markers could refer, strengthen, weaken proposition, etc.Chapter five illustrates the pragmatic functions of discourse markers under the non-linguistic contexts. Non-linguistic contexts involve meta-pragmatic awareness and discourse markers are the results of adapting to meta-pragmatic awareness as well as the linguistic reflection of it. They can establish relationship and transfer subjects, etc.Chapter six makes a conclusion for the whole thesis where the major findings are summarized. It also indicates the insufficiency and defaults of the research and puts forward some suggestions for the further investigation.