Publication details
On coherence in spoken discourse
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2006 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | Drápela, M.,Vomlela, J. (eds) Silesian Studies in English 2006. International Conference of English and American Studies (Proceedings). |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Linguistics |
| Keywords | spoken discourse - coherence - cohesion - negotiation of meaning - understanding and interpretation - communicative process - interactive discourse items |
| Description | The paper views coherence as being a result of an ongoing process of negotiation of meaning between participants in an interaction. Each contribution by any interlocutor is part of the communicative process. In this process, interactive discourse items, frequently labelled pragmatic particles, pragmatic markers, discourse particles, discourse markers, etc. by some authors, play a crucial role because they facilitate the hearers understanding and interpretation of what the current speaker wants to communicate and thus enable the smooth flow of spoken interaction. Coherence is not inherent in a text. It is independent of cohesion since it is a matter of interpretation. Accordingly, a spoken text is considered coherent if it is understood to be coherent by participants in a given context, the role of which is thus crucial to the interpretation. However, cohesive means, including the interactive D-items under examination, can enhance coherent interpretation and thus participate in the establishment of coherence in spoken discourse. |