The Interaction between Position and Meaning: A View from The Discourse Marker ʃikil in Spoken Jordanian Arabic

Abstract

Objectives: This study examines the diverse functions of the discourse marker "ʃikil" in spoken Jordanian Arabic, as analyzing its placement and usage in different contexts assists in comprehending its impact on meaning. Additionally, the study explores how the agreement pattern that governs "ʃikil" contributes to reinforcing the intended meaning. Methods: The research methodology utilized in this study is quantitative in nature. An online questionnaire consisting of 10 questions was designed and distributed through various social media platforms. The questionnaire targeted 150 native speakers of Jordanian Arabic who provided responses regarding their usage of the discourse marker "ʃikil" in specific contexts, its position within statements, and its agreement with the subjects of those statements. Furthermore, the study incorporated the relevance theory proposed by Spenser and Wilson to address the research questions effectively. Results: The analysis of the data indicates a noteworthy correlation between the position of the discourse marker "ʃikil" and its intended meaning within the sentence. Furthermore, the agreement pattern between the subject and the discourse marker has been found to be influential in conveying the desired meaning effectively. Conclusions: This study finds that the discourse marker "ʃikil" in Jordanian Arabic serves different purposes based on its position within the sentence. It can indicate common knowledge or beliefs that are shared with others, express the speaker’s interpretation based on visual evidence, or convey the speaker’s indirect opinion without eyewitnesses or direct evidence. The study also highlights the significance of agreement patterns between the subject and the discourse marker in enhancing meaning. However, it is not necessary for the agreement pattern to be directly connected to the position of the discourse marker in the sentence.