Meaning and function of discourse signals

Essay from the year 2006 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: keine, University of Bayreuth, course: Written and Spoken English, language: English, abstract: This essay will deal with discourse signals, with special focus on their function and meaning. It is important to understand that in the term 'discourse signals' two other terms are included: 'interaction signals' and 'discourse markers', which are explained later on in the text. Discourse signals as such, as the name already says, signal the structure of the discourse. They are usually used in order to make the interlocutor see one's current relationship and attitude towards the state of the discourse. The signal therefore helps the listener expecting a certain utterance intention of the speaker. Hence the former can somehow foresee the intention of the latter. The following text will go into detail concerning function and meaning of discourse signals.