PRAGMATIC MARKER USAGE IN SPOKEN CORPORA: A COMPUTATIONAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF SPOKEN DISCOURSE

Abstract

This study investigates the use and functions of pragmatic markers in naturally occurring spoken discourse. It used a mixed method approach, the qualitative part involved the recordings of interviews and the quantitative part involves the frequency determination of the pragmatic markers. The research data was collected by conducting six interviews with equal ratio of male and female members. The recordings were then analyzed into text by using notebooklm tool. The recorded text was then taken into notepad files and the frequency of the pragmatic markers was obtained by using antconc. The sampling of the research was purposive and balanced sampling. The theory applied for the analysis was the pragmatics and discourse theory developed by the contributions of several scholars, particularly J. L. Austin, H. P. Grice, Michael Halliday, Ruqaiya Hasan, and Deborah Schiffrin. The theory shows us how text can be constructed, interpreted and organized in real life communication. It creates a direct link between pragmatic marker’s usage and the spoken corpora.  The main objective of the research was to examine how speakers employ pragmatic markers to organize discourse, express stance, and manage interaction in real-time communication. The study concluded that pragmatic markers are essential components of natural discourse and highlights their importance in discourse analysis and pragmatics by demonstrating how speakers use them to construct meaning and manage communication in authentic conversational contexts.