What Are Discourse Markers? Examples Explained

Discover discourse markers: learn their function and use in language with clear and practical examples. Improve your communication today!

What Are Discourse Markers?

Discourse markers are words or expressions used to link sentences or paragraphs, helping to organize information and guide the reader through the text. Their function is to make the discourse more coherent and understandable, giving fluidity and structure to the content.

For example, "on the other hand", "however" or "in conclusion" are discourse markers used to indicate changes of topic, contrast or summary in a discourse. By using them effectively, texts can be made more memorable and easier for the reader to follow.

Properties and Characteristics of Discourse Markers

Discourse markers are key elements in speech writing, as they help connect ideas and give flow to the text. They are words or expressions that help organize information, show relationships between ideas and mark the structure of the discourse. They also have the ability to emphasize concepts, introduce examples or give continuity to the argument.

In speech writing, it is essential to use these markers properly in order to achieve coherence and cohesion in the message. The following are some properties and characteristics of discourse markers that will help you understand their importance in speech writing.

· Prosodic Point of View

In the study of the prosodic perspective of discourse markers, we analyze how elements of oral expression, such as stress and intonation, influence communication. Intonation is reflected in writing through the use of punctuation marks, changes in tone and the position of discourse markers. For example, rising intonation at the end of a sentence may reflect a question, while falling intonation indicates a statement.

Discourse markers may appear in different order within the utterance, which affects the interpretation and emphasis of the spoken utterance. For example, in the sentence "I was late, but not because of me", the marker "but" modifies the interpretation of the information presented.

Examples of discourse markers that reflect prosodic perspective are "furthermore," "however," "on the other hand," and "of course," which indicate changes in conversational direction and emphasize certain points. Prosody in writing and speaking is crucial for conveying the meaning and intent of speech.

· Morphological Point of View

Discourse markers are invariable and belong to different grammatical categories, such as interjections, adverbs and adverbial locutions. For example, the interjection "good" is a discourse marker that expresses approval or agreement in a discourse. As for adverbs, "too" is a discourse marker that indicates addition of information in a discourse. For their part, adverbial locutions such as "of course" function as discourse markers that reinforce the idea expressed in a discourse.

These discourse markers can affect discourse members that constitute very diverse lexical and syntagmatic categories. For example, in the sentence "well, as I told you, I would also like to add that, of course, we need to be prepared", the discourse markers "well", "also" and "of course" influence different discourse members, such as verbs, pronouns and adjectives, providing nuances of meaning and coherence in the discourse.

· Syntactic Point of View

Discourse markers are syntactic elements that are integrated into the sentence to give it a specific function within the discourse. They can appear at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of the sentence, depending on the emphasis to be given to the idea they introduce. For example, "in addition", "on the other hand" or "in summary" can appear in different positions within the sentence.

The difference between discourse markers and adverbs that function as circumstantial complements lies in the fact that the former have the function of guiding the structure of the discourse, while adverbs simply add information about the verb, adjective, or adverb they modify. Moreover, discourse markers and adverbs do not coordinate with each other and do not admit negation, since they fulfill different functions within the sentence.

· Semantic Point of View

From a semantic point of view, these markers not only indicate the relationship between the different parts of speech, but also provide nuances of attitude, modality, and discourse structure. Their referential meaning refers to their function of connecting ideas and organizing information, while their subjective meaning influences the speaker's perception and the receiver's interpretation of the message.

· Pragmatic Point of View

From a pragmatic point of view, discourse markers play a crucial role in communication, as they help to establish the relationship between the parts of speech and guide the interpretation of the message. Their correct use allows the sender to express their point of view in a clearer and more effective way, which enriches communication.

Types of Discourse Markers

Discourse markers are key elements in the construction of an effective discourse. Their proper use can make the difference between a well-structured and coherent text and a confusing and unclear one. In this sense, it is important to know the different types of discourse markers and how to use them appropriately to improve the quality of our discourse. Below, we will explain the different types of discourse markers and their importance in written and oral communication.

1. Information Structuring

These types of markers help to organize information. They are divided into:

- Commentators

Discourse markers function as commentators by introducing new comments into the discourse. Some common types include "for example", "in other words", "by the way" and "in addition". These markers introduce concrete examples to support or illustrate an idea, or rephrase previous ideas to clarify or emphasize a point. In addition, they operate as connectors between text segments to maintain discourse cohesion.

- Ordenators, Contrasters and Cause-Effect Markers

Some types of discourse markers give order to the sentence, such as "first", "then", "finally"; contrast, such as "on the other hand", "instead", or cause-effect, such as "because", "since" or "due to".

- Digressors

Digressors are connectors that are used to introduce side comments into a discourse, allowing relevant but non-essential information to be added. Examples of digressor connectors are "by the way", "having said that", "in any case" or "by the way".

For example, in a speech about the importance of caring for the environment, a digressor such as "by the way, the use of renewable energy is a viable alternative to reduce the carbon footprint" could be used.

2. Counter-Argumentative Connectors

Counter argumentative connectors are essential for linking two parts of speech so that the second acts as a suppressor or attenuator of the conclusion that could be drawn from the first. These adversative connectors introduce an idea that contradicts or limits the previous statement.

Some examples of adversative connectors are "however", "nevertheless", "in spite of" and "although". These connectors are key to identifying the beginning of an idea that presents an opposition to what has been mentioned earlier in the speech.

For example, in a speech about the impact of social networks on society, we could use an adversative connector to introduce a counterargument: "Although social networks have facilitated communication on a global level, however, they have also generated problems of addiction and social isolation".

3. Reformulators

Reformulators are a type of discourse markers whose function is to introduce a new formulation in the discourse. They are the following:

- Explanatory Reformulators

Explanatory reformulators are words or phrases that are used to clarify or expand the information presented in the previous discourse. For example, "that is" can be used to redefine an idea more clearly, "that is" to explain in other words what has already been mentioned, or "in other words" to offer a new perspective on the same information.

These types of explanatory reformulators are useful to avoid confusion and to ensure that the audience understands the message clearly and accurately.

- Rectifying Reformulators

Rectifying reformulators are discourse markers whose function is to correct or improve an incorrect formulation. In other words, they replace a first member of the discourse considered incorrect with another that improves it.

For example, by using "rather" we are indicating that we want to correct a statement or qualify an idea.

- Distancing Reformulators

Distancing reformulators are linguistic tools that allow the sender to move away from the content expressed in the discourse, either to qualify it, soften it or give it a more objective tone. Their main function is to introduce a new formulation that conditions the continuation of the discourse, while depriving the preceding discourse member of its relevance.

For example, the use of expressions such as "said differently", "better said", "in summary" or "in short" serves the function of distancing the sender from the previously expressed content, offering a new formulation in which an attempt is made to summarize or clarify the information.

- Recapitulatory Reformulators

Recapitulatory reformulators serve to present a discourse member as a conclusion or recapitulation of another member or series of members. These discourse markers help reinforce the main idea and summarize what has been said previously. For example, words such as "to summarize" or "in conclusion" indicate that a topic or argument is coming to a close.

4. Argumentative Operators

Argumentative operators are tools that condition the argumentative possibilities in a discourse. They are:

- Argumentative Reinforcement Operators

Argumentative reinforcement operators are linguistic expressions used to reinforce or emphasize an argument, giving it more force and clarity. These operators condition the argumentative possibilities of the discourse by highlighting the importance of a particular idea or argument. For example, the expression "in fact" is used to give emphasis to a statement, highlighting that what is being said is the truth or reality of the situation. Another example is the phrase "in essence," which serves to emphasize what is really intended to be conveyed, beyond what has been said superficially. Finally, the use of "in fact" is used to reinforce a statement or assertion, indicating that there is concrete evidence or data to support the argument.

- Operators of Concreteness

Operators of concreteness are linguistic tools used to give precision and specificity to a text. For example, words such as "specifically," "in particular," and "concretely" can be used to focus on a specific point within a more general discourse.

5. Conversational Markers

Conversational markers are key tools for keeping track of discourse.

- Initiating Markers

Initiating markers, such as "well, for starters," help initiate a new idea or change the topic in a conversation. For example, "Well, for starters, I want to talk about the importance of speeches in politics."

- Emphatic Markers

Emphatic markers, such as "no doubt," serve to emphasize the importance or certainty of a statement. For example: "Undoubtedly, speeches can influence public opinion".

- Approbative Markers

Approbative markers, such as "exactly", show agreement with what has just been said. For example, "Exactly, speeches are a powerful tool for persuading the audience."

- Affirmative Markers

Affirmative markers, such as "of course they do," help reinforce a previous statement. For example: "Of course, a good speech can inspire people".

- Verbative Markers

Verbative markers, such as "in fact", are used to add additional evidence or arguments to the conversation. For example, "In fact, there are studies that demonstrate the impact of speeches on society."

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