Discourse marker facts for kids

A discourse marker is a word or phrase that helps manage the flow and structure of a conversation or text. These words usually don't change the main meaning of a sentence. Instead, they help us understand how different parts of a conversation connect.

Think of them like signposts in a conversation. Examples include words like oh, well, now, then, you know, and I mean. Other examples are connecting words like so, because, and, but, and or. The idea of "discourse markers" became popular thanks to Deborah Schiffrin in her 1987 book.

How We Use Them in English

Some common discourse markers in English are "you know", "actually", "basically", "like", "I mean", "okay", and "so". These markers often come from different types of words, like adverbs (for example, "well") or phrases (like "in fact").

In the past, some people thought these words were just "fillers" or "extra words" that didn't do anything important. But now, we know they have many important jobs! They can help us:

• Change topics.
• Rephrase something.
• Plan what we're going to say next.
• Emphasize a point.
• Soften what we say (called hedging).
• Show we are listening (called backchanneling).

A researcher named Yael Maschler grouped discourse markers into four main types: interpersonal, referential, structural, and cognitive.

Interpersonal Markers

These markers show the relationship between the person speaking and the person listening.

• Showing how you feel: "wow" (amazement).
• Getting attention: "look", "believe me".
• Agreeing: "exactly".
• Disagreeing: "I'm not sure".

Referential Markers

These markers, often connecting words, show how different statements are linked. They can show order, cause, or connection.

• Order of events: "now", "then".
• Cause and effect: "because".
• Connecting ideas: "and".
• Showing a contrast: "but".

Structural Markers

These markers help organize the conversation. They show which parts the speaker thinks are most or least important.

• Starting something new: "first of all".
• Introducing a point: "so".
• Summarizing: "in the end".

Cognitive Markers

These markers show what the speaker is thinking or how they are processing information.

• Thinking or pausing: "uhh".
• Realizing something: "oh!".
• Rephrasing an idea: "I mean".

See also

In Spanish: Marcador del discurso para niños

• Filler (linguistics)
• So (word)
• Speech disfluency
• Tag question