Markers and their functions: a case study on three discourse markers in ilami Kurdish
Markers and their functions: a case study on three discourse markers in ilami Kurdish

Summary/Abstract: Discourse markers (hence after DMs) are those linguistic elements which connect the speech and sentences without changing the basic meaning. The present study intended to target the various functions of DMs in the speaking of speakers of Ilami Kurdish. To this aim the study took into account three DMs such as Khu, Di Cha, and um, in conversations of 20 Kurdish native speakers. Obtained results revealed a statistically significant use of these polysemous DMs by the speakers. Khu mostly functions as back channel to assure that hearer is following what the speaker is saying. Di Cha primarily acts as topic introducing to start a new topic. Um in most cases is used as pause-filler for the speaker to buy some more time in organizing the next possible messages.

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