YOSH OLIMLAR
ILMIY-AMALIY KONFERENSIYASI
in-academy.uz/index.php/yo
41
LISTENING FOR DISCOURSE MARKERS AND CONNECTORS
Teshaboyeva Nafisa Zubaydulla qizi
Jizzakh Branch of the National
University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulug'bek
The faculty of Psychology, department of Foreign languages
Phylology and foreign languages
Quvonova Mohichehra
Student of group 102-23
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14498804
Annotation.
In this article, the main aim of the author is explaining the role of discourse
markers (DM) and connectors in linguistics. Besides that, there is stated the significant role
the abovementioned tools play in listening comprehension these days.
Key words:
listening comprehension, information, summarizing, contrasting,
connectors, phrases, conversation.
Аннотация
. В данной статье основной целью автора является объяснение роли
дискурсивных маркеров (ДМ) и коннекторов в лингвистике. Кроме того, указывается
на важную роль, которую вышеупомянутые инструменты играют в аудировании в
наши дни.
Ключевые слова:
аудирование, информация, резюмирование, сопоставление,
коннекторы, фразы, разговор.
INTRODUCTION
Connectors: because, however, therefore, moreover, although, as a result, consequently.
Introducing a new idea: moving on, let’s talk about, on to. Providing examples: for instance,
such as, for example. Showing contrast: but, yet, on the other hand. Adding information:
furthermore, in addition, also. Expressing cause and effect: since, because, thus. Summarizing:
to sum up, in conclusion, overall. Indicating sequence: first, next, finally, then.
In effective communication, especially in academic, professional, or even casual
conversations, discourse markers and connectors play a crucial role in organizing thoughts,
signaling transitions, and indicating relationships between ideas. For learners a new language
or even native speakers looking to improve their comprehension, being able to identify and
understand these markers is essential for better listening skills.
MAIN BODY
What Are Discourse Markers and Connectors?
Discourse markers are words or phrases that guide the listener through the speaker's
train of thought. They help in structuring spoken or written language, indicating shifts in
conversation, introducing new ideas, providing emphasis, or showing the speaker’s attitude.
Common examples include words like well, so, anyway, actually, and you know.
Connectors, on the other hand, are specific words or phrases used to link ideas
together, showing relationships such as cause and effect, comparison, contrast, or
sequence. Examples include words like because, however, therefore, moreover, and although.
They are vital in signaling the logical flow of an argument or discussion.
Why Listen for Discourse Markers and Connectors?
YOSH OLIMLAR
ILMIY-AMALIY KONFERENSIYASI
in-academy.uz/index.php/yo
42
When listening to someone speak, recognizing these elements can significantly improve
your understanding of the conversation. Here is why:
Organizing Information: Discourse markers often signal shifts in topics or ideas.
Recognizing these cues helps listeners understand when a speaker is moving from one point
to another, making the information easier to follow.
Clarifying Relationships Between Ideas: Connectors indicate how ideas are related. For
instance, “because” signals a reason or cause, “but” indicates contrast, and “therefore”
suggests a conclusion or result. Being aware of these links enhances comprehension of the
argument or narrative.
Predicting What Comes Next: Certain discourse markers give clues about what the
speaker is about to do. For instance, “to sum up” indicates a conclusion, while “on the other
hand” signals a comparison. Recognizing these markers helps listeners anticipate the
speaker’s next move and adjust their focus accordingly.
Understanding the Speaker's Attitude or Intention: Some discourse markers give hints
about the speaker’s feelings or attitudes. For example, “well” can signal hesitation, and
“actually” might indicate a correction or contrast to something previously said. By paying
attention to these markers, listeners can better understand the speaker’s intentions or
emotions.
Common Discourse Markers and Connectors in Listening and here are some examples of
discourse markers and connectors to listen for:
•
Introducing a new idea: Now, so, okay, moving on to...
•
Providing examples: For instance, such as, for example...
•
Showing contrast: However, on the other hand, although, but...
•
Adding information: Moreover, furthermore, in addition...
•
Expressing cause and effect: Because, as a result, therefore, consequently...
•
Summarizing: In conclusion, to sum up, overall...
•
Indicating sequence: First, next, finally, then...
Practical Tips for Improving Listening Skills with Discourse Markers
Practice Active Listening: Pay close attention to how speakers organize their speech.
Make mental notes or even jot down discourse markers as you hear them. This will help you
follow the structure of the conversation.
Listen to a Variety of Sources: Expose yourself to different types of audio materials, such
as
•
podcasts
•
lectures
•
interviews
•
conversations.
•
Television or radio talk shows
The more diverse the material, the more likely you will encounter a range of
discourse markers and connectors in various contexts.
Use Transcripts: If you are practicing with recorded materials, follow along with a
transcript. This will help you visually identify the markers as they are used in speech, making
it easier to recognize them in future listening situations.
YOSH OLIMLAR
ILMIY-AMALIY KONFERENSIYASI
in-academy.uz/index.php/yo
43
Anticipate the Next Idea: Once you become familiar with common discourse markers
and connectors, use them to predict what is coming next in the conversation. For example, if
you hear “on the other hand”, you can expect the speaker to contrast what was just said with a
new idea.
Reflect on What You Heard: After listening to a conversation or speech, take time to
think about how the speaker organized their ideas. What discourse markers did they use?
How did those help clarify the relationships between ideas?
CONCLUSION
Listening for discourse markers and connectors is a powerful tool for improving
comprehension in both everyday conversations and more formal listening situations. By
recognizing these linguistic cues, you can follow conversations more easily, understand the
logical flow of ideas, and even predict what a speaker is about to say. Over time, this will
enhance not only your listening skills but also your ability to engage in more meaningful,
organized communication. Not only in listening to communicate, but also while listening to
practise such tools are of great significance to find and guess correct answers beforehand.
Therefore, it is considered to be rather critical to learn as much as possible about discourse
markers and connectors to accelerate and ease Language Acquisition in this era.
References:
1.
Teshaboyeva, N. (2023). THE MODERN INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN TEACHING
FOREIGN LANGUAGES. Журнал иностранных языков и лингвистики, 5(5).
2.
Hansen, M. (1997). Alors and donc in spoken French: a reanalysis. Journal of Pragmatics,
28, 153-187.
3.
Hellermann, J. (2007). Language which is not taught: The discourse marker use of
beginning adult learners of English. Journal of Pragmatics, 1,157-179.
4.
Jucker, A., & Y. Ziv. (1998). Discourse Markers: Description and Theory. Amsterdam:
John Benjamins.
5.
Knott, A., & T. Sanders. (1998). The classification of coherence relations and their
linguistic markers: an exploration of two languages. Journal of Pragmatics, 30, 135-175.
6.
Krashen, S. (1982). Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition. Oxford:
Pergamon Press.
7.
Macaulay, R. (2002). You know, it depends. Journal of Pragmatics, 34, 749-767.
8.
Norrick, N. R. (2002). Discourse markers in oral narrative. Journal of Pragmatics, 35,
849-878.
9.
O’Malley, J. M., & A. U. Chamot. (1990). Learning Strategies in Second Language
Acquisition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
10.
Redeker, G. (1991). Linguistics markers of discourse structure. Linguistics, 29, 1139-
1172
11.
Risselada, R., & W. Spooren. (1998). Introduction: Discourse markers and coherence
relation. Journal of Pragmatics, 30, 131-133. 8
12.
Rost, M. (1990). Listening in Language Learning. New York: Longman.
13.
Rubin, J. (1994). A review of second language listening comprehension research. Modern
Language Journal, 78(2), 199-221.
14.
Schiffrin, D. (1987). Discourse Markers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
YOSH OLIMLAR
ILMIY-AMALIY KONFERENSIYASI
in-academy.uz/index.php/yo
44
15.
Sperber, D., & D. Wilson, (2001) Relevance: Communication and Cognition. Beijing:
Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press.
16.
Taboada, M. (2006). Discourse markers as signals (or not) of rhetorical relations. Journal
of Pragmatics, 38, 567-592.
17.
Ахmеdоvа S. R. и др. Mаsоfаviy tа’lim vа uning hоrijiy tillаrni o’qitishdаgi o’rni
//Science and Education. – 2021. – Т. 2. – №. 10. – С. 608-612.
18.
Ахmedova, S. R. (2021). Chet tillarni o’rganish va undagi metodlarning ahamiyati.
Science and Education
,
2
(11), 1076-1080.
19.
Ахmedova, S. R. (2021). Ilova elementlarining strukturaviy tahlilini o’rganish.
Science
and Education
,
2
(12), 583-587.
20.
Ахмедова, С. Р. (2022). Иловали унсурларининг иккинчи даражали бўлаклар
формасида ифодаланиб келиши.
Science and Education
,
3
(3), 814-817.
21.
Akhmedova, S. (2022). STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF APPLIED ELEMENTS IN
THE GERMAN LANGUAGE.
Science and innovation
,
1
(B5), 94-97.
22.
Ахмедова, С. Р. (2022). Эга шаклида ифодаланган мураккаб тузилишли иловали
элементларнинг таҳлилини ўрганиш.
Science and Education
,
3
(4), 1963-1966.
23.
Akhmedova
Sevara
Rakhmankulovna.
(2022).
NEMIS
TILIDA
ILOVALI
ELEMENTLARINING SEMANTIK O’ZIGA XOSLIKLARI.
International Journal of Contemporary
Scientific and Technical Research
,
1
(2), 481–485.Nafisa, T. (2023, December). Secondary ways
of word formation. In " Conference on Universal Science Research 2023" (Vol. 1, No. 12, pp.
109-112).
24.
Nafisa, T. (2023). VOWELS AND THEIR MODIFACATIONS. Новости образования:
исследование в XXI веке, 2(16), 298-305.
25.
Nafisa, T. (2023, December). Secondary ways of word formation. In " Conference on
Universal Science Research 2023" (Vol. 1, No. 12, pp. 109-112).
26.
Nafisa, T. (2023). THE EDUCATION SYSTEM OF THE USA: PRESCHOOL EDUCATION,
SECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION, SCHOOL FORMS. The Role of Exact Sciences in the
Era of Modern Development, 1(6), 53-57.
27.
Qizi, T. N. Z., & Umedovich, M. Y. (2023). AMERICAN-BASED PRONUNCIATION
STANDARDS OF ENGLISH. Scientific Impulse, 2(15), 563-567.
28.
Nafisa, T. (2023, December). Word Formation: Compounding. In " Conference on
Universal Science Research 2023" (Vol. 1, No. 12, pp. 113-115).
