CATEGORIES OF DISCOURSE MARKERS USED IN GICHUKA SPEECH

Abstract

Discourse markers are linguistic items that are frequently used in the course of daily communication. These are not only connecting words that contribute to cohesion of discourse but are also crucial tools for achieving intended communicative purposes in the course of discourse. Studies have been carried out on discourse markers as used in other languages of the world but since every linguistic variety is unique and culture dependent, it is not obvious that these linguistic items are similar in all languages. The goal of this article is to provide an analysis of Gichuka discourse markers. The objective is to categorize discourse markers in Gichuka speeches. The article is guided by the Relevance Theory by Sperber and Wilson. It utilizes qualitative research technique and it was carried out in Chuka, Meru South Sub County, Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya. The population includes all discourse markers captured in social events conducted in Gichuka. Five real life events conducted in Gichuka were purposively sampled. Data was collected using an observation schedule that was used to record the contextual information, and a guiding card was used to record the types of discourse markers realized. The transcribed discourse markers were ninety-two. Guided by the principles of relevance, ninety-two discourse markers used in Gichuka speeches were identified and classified. It was established that Gichuka has a number of discourse markers and the most commonly used types of these discourse markers are topic markers and message related markers. The findings enhances the analysis of Gichuka discourse markers and adds to the existing knowledge on the analysis of discourse markers in various languages. It specifically enriches knowledge on the application of the tenets of the Relevance Theory.