Metaphorical meanings of discourse markers found in “Head Over Heels”

ABSTRACT

This study examines the use of discourse markers by the characters in the novel of “Head Over Heels”, in which most of discourse markers used among friends. The use of discourse markers in this genre may provide different impacts since the interlocutors are roughly symmetrical in terms of their age. Discourse markers are linguistic expressions used to signal the relation of an utterance to its immediate context, with the primary function of bringing listener’s attention particular kind of linkage of the upcoming utterance with the immediate discourse context. Although discourse markers are often uttered unconsciously by the interlocutors, they are frequent in conversations, where they express the speaker’s attitude to the addressee, negotiate background assumptions, express emotions and contribute to coherence.

The descriptive qualitative method is used to conduct this research. This is in relation to the aim of this study: to describe how the discourse markers used by the characters in the novel of “Head Over Heels”.

The result of this study shows that discourse markers found in “Head Over Heels” have some metaphorical meanings. Discourse markers well, for example, is used (1) to express resignation, (2) to suggest, (3) to give response to the current information, (4) to express regret, (5) to show disagreement, (6) to accept suggestion, (7) to express reciprocal judgement, (8) to give judgment, (9) to make a plan, and (10) to turn or shift a topic of conversation. Discourse markers okay is used (1) to make a plan, (2) to make an agreement, (3) to command, (4) to give advice, (5) to emphasize of current information, (6) to give suggestion, (7) to emphasize suggestion, (8) to draw conclusion, and (9) to confirm the prior plan.

Discourse marker all right is used (1) to express unhappy feeling or jealousy, (2) to confirm a request. Next, discourse markers right were used (1) to respond a prior turn as receipt of information, (2) to support current statement, (3) to emphasize the current statement, and (4) to confirm current request. Discourse markers you know also has some meanings, such as (1) to inform about situation, (2) to provide background information, (3) to make a suggestion, (4) to
marking desire, and (5) to highlight or emphasize information. Discourse markers I mean is used (1) to correct the utterances of the speaker just said, (2) to explain and clarify a problem, (3) to clarify a current statement.

The meaning of each discourse marker found in the corpus also influenced by their positions: in the opening, middle and final position. In the opening position, the use of discourse markers well tends to mean making a suggestion and in the middle position, it tends to mean turning or shifting a topic of conversation. Discourse marker okay when used in the opening position tends to mean to make agreement and in the middle position, it means emphasizing of current information.

Discourse marker all right in the opening position more likely to mean confirming a request. Furthermore, discourse marker right when used in the opening position often meanresponding to a prior turn as receipt of information; in the middle position, it emphasizes the current statement and in final position, it tends to confirm current request.

Discourse marker you know in the opening position used to inform about situation; while in the middle position, it means making a suggestion and in final position it tends to emphasize information. Discourse marker I mean in the middle position commonly used to correct the utterances of the speaker just said.

Based on the findings of this study, some suggestions are made. For people interested in pragmatics, this study has identified a number of discourse markers based on the degree of familiarity of the speakers with their partner of speaking. It suggested future directions for ongoing investigations beyond the areas already noted. Future related research could make use of relevant findings from the present study context to examine the use of discourse marker based on the differential competencies between speakers in order to achieve a better understanding of the differential functions of the discourse markers and their relationship to the quality of the interaction overall.