Discourse markers in turn-initial positions in interruptive speech in a Malaysian radio discourse

Abstract

Discourse markers play significant roles in any spoken interaction. This research examines the functions of the discourse markers (DMs) well, now and and used as turn-initial interruptive devices in a Malaysian radio discourse. Using Schegloff’s (2002) framework of what constitutes an interruption in turn-taking and previous studies on the functions of discourse markers (Schriffrin 1987; Stenstrom 1994, Jucker 1993; Aijmer 2002), the study seeks to investigate the functional nature of discourse markers in turn-initial positions in interruptive speech. It relies on a detailed analysis of transcribed recordings of four radio talk shows. The participants are observed to use these interruptive devices in turn-initial positions in interruptive speech with different pragmatic functions. The present study rests on the conviction that such discourse particles in interruptive speech have certain functions which signal coherence to a prior utterance or to earlier segments of the discourse and play interactive roles in the interaction process.