Pragmaticalization of discourse markers in Lebanese conversational Arabic -

Abstract

The present study investigates the various uses of some of the most prevalent discourse markers in Lebanese conversational Arabic through observing their use by Lebanese participants in media discourse. I include additional examples from daily life in the discussion in order to have a comprehensive view of the roles of these discourse markers. The discourse markers involved in this study are yaʿni, ʾinnu, hallaʾ, bass, hēk, ṭayyib, and ṭab. Extracts from Lebanese talk shows are analyzed based on the functions of the discourse markers. My proposed definition for discourse markers in the present study is: Discourse markers are words that hold a pragmatic function contingent upon context, which can also derive from the word’s semantic content and-or its grammatical role. Therefore, some pragmatic functions ensue as a result of pragmaticalization. My data presents some instances where pragmatic functions of yaʿni derive from its meaning ‘it means-that is’; pragmatic functions of ʾinnu derive from its use as a complementizer; pragmatic functions of hallaʾ derive from its meaning ‘now’, pragmatic functions of bass derive from its use as a conjunction (but) or its meaning ‘only’; pragmatic functions of hēk derive from its meaning ‘this’ and ‘thus-like this’; pragmatic functions of ṭayyib derive from its meaning ‘ok’.