English discourse markers in non-native use: The case of Czech learners at B2 level
English discourse markers in non-native use: The case of Czech learners at B2 level

Author(s): Silvie Válková
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Foreign languages learning, Applied Linguistics, Pragmatics, Sociolinguistics, Computational linguistics
Published by: Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci
Keywords: discourse markers; spoken English; Czech speakers of English; non-native speakers; English as a foreign language; corpus linguistics; functional grammar; systemic functional linguistics
Summary/Abstract: This monograph presents the results of a comprehensive study of the use of English discourse markers (DMs) in the spoken English of Czech non-native speakers. The work combines quantitative and qualitative approaches and links theoretical linguistics with pedagogical grammar. The author draws on authentic corpus data and long-term research in the field of functional and systemic grammar. The research focuses on communicatively-regulative units in speakers at B2 level according to the Common European Framework. Since the use of DMs is not subject to strict rules but rather pragmatic principles, speakers must be gradually "socialised" into their appropriate use. Foreign studies suggest that non-native speakers often use only a limited repertoire of these expressions, which is confirmed by this analysis. Methodologically, the research is designed as a three-phase process: from theoretical mapping through in-depth analysis of corpus data in contextual situations to the final application of the results in the methodology of teaching English as a foreign language. The work also includes a comparison of the results of Czech speakers with speakers of other languages. The main objective of the publication is to strengthen students’ pragmatic and communicative competences and to provide relevant material for textbook authors, in whose works the systematic teaching of DMs has been lacking. This monograph thus fills a gap in Czech and comparative language teaching.

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