Discourse Markers as Functional Elements

Abstract

This paper aims to justify the necessity of adopting a functional approach to the study of discourse markers but also to revisit the theories connected to functionalism in linguistics and to define what a functional approach to discourse markers would imply. In the first part of the paper, the focus will be placed on functionalism and on those theories that are most relevant for a functional analysis of discourse markers. The second part of the paper will be centered on discourse markers, their discursive and pragmatic functions as well as their connection to functional linguistics.