dc.description |
A thesis in the Department of English Education,
Faculty of Foreign Languages Education and Communication,
submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for award of degree of
Master of Philosophy
(English Education)
in the University Of Education, Winneba
JULY, 2020 |
en_US |
dc.description.abstract |
The main objective of this study was to explore the use of discourse markers (DMs) in
talk shows in Ghanaian media. Particular attention was given to the frequencies,
functions and meaning of DMs in discussants‟ expressions.Three-pronged objectives
and research questions guided the study. Qualitative research method was employed
for the study and five talk shows were purposively selected for analysis. Clark‟s
Theory of Conversation as Collaboration formed the theoretical framework for the
study. The theory revealed that discussants‟ effort to collaborate with other
participants and logically present their submission often induce extensive use of
discourse markers.The study revealed that out of the 1358 occurrences of DMs
employed by discussants for the study, the elaborative/conjunctive discourse markers
was used extensively 531 times (39.2%). The study revealed that usage of the
following DMs “Anyway”, “So”, “You know”, “Oh” and “Ok” ranges from
communicative to interpersonal purposes. Discussants overused and misused “and”
and sparingly used complex DMs which lend credence to findings of previous studies
on speakers of English as second language. Findings also showed that gender
influences the use of DMs. Whilst men assert their position and authority using “you
know” and “well”, women employed these DMs as hedge to maintain social
relationship, as well as reduce or minimize assertiveness. It was recommended that
stakeholders of education, especially at the second cycle schools, should acquaint
students with complex DMs. To heighten proficient use of DMs, societal stereotypes
limiting girl-child education should be forestalled, as underscored in the following
African proverb: “if you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate
a woman, you educate a family [nation]” (Suen, 2013, p. 61). |
en_US |