The discourse connector list: a multi-genre cross-cultural corpus analysis

Kalajahi S. A. R., Abdullah A. N., Neufeld S.

TEXT & TALK, cilt.37, sa.3, ss.283-310, 2017 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 37 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2017
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1515/text-2017-0006
  • Dergi Adı: TEXT & TALK
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.283-310
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study examines the linguistic feature known as discourse connector using a corpus-informed approach. The study applies a taxonomy which classifies and describes 632 discourse connectors in eight broad classes with 17 categories. The frequency of use of each discourse connector listed was analyzed in the three different registers of spoken, non-academic and academic English in the two different cultural contexts of British and American English. The resulting data on discourse connector frequency were compiled in a database and processed with various statistical formulae to highlight multi-register and cross-cultural differences and similarities of use of each discourse connector. An interpretation of the use of this database, which is free to download and use, is included in the study as well as a discussion of the results and the potential for use as a research and pedagogical tool.