부산대학교 도서관

This study aims to describe the pragmatic-discursive functions of the discourse marker EH in colloquial Spanish. Discourse markers are a linguistic element that helps speakers properly construct and interpretate their messages with the least effort and participates in the process of communication acts. In the study, the pragmatic values of the discourse marker EH are examined through a series of examples taken from the CORPES, Corpus del Espanol del Siglo XXI (CORPES XXI). As a result of the analysis, it is found that EH performs various phatic functions and affects speech process in discourse. In addition, it is also found that it is one of the linguistic strategies which emphasizes speakers’ communicative intentions. With these considerations, this study will contribute to expand the understanding of the pragmatic functions of the discourse marker EH in colloquial Spanish. Moreover, it is also expected that it will suggest an easier and more specific appreciation of the use of EH on the basis of the examples.