Discourse Metalanguage P.4

Question 1

Interrogative tags

Answer 1

A very short clause at the end of a statement which changes the statement into a question.

‘She said half price, didn’t she?’
The words ‘didn’t she’ turn the statement into a question.

Question 2

Discourse particle

Answer 2

Words or phrases that help connect or structure our speech and writing.

“Firstly”
“To begin with”
“However”

Question 3

Filled pauses

Answer 3

Verbal hesitations used in speech to signal pauses, hesitation, or to maintain conversation flow, without indicating the end of a statement.

“uh”
“um”
“well”

Question 4

False starts

Answer 4

The act of beginning an utterance and subsequently aborting it prior to completion.

-/do you think we should/- I think we should go tomorrow.

Question 5

Repairs

Answer 5

The process by which a speaker recognizes a speech error and repeats what has been said with some sort of correction.

“Did you hear what Dad sai- I mean Mum said.”