The non-prototypical discourse marker zdaj

Authors

  • Simona Majhenič University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , Univerza v Mariboru, Fakulteta za elektrotehniko, računalništvo in informatiko
  • Matej Rojc University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , Univerza v Mariboru, Fakulteta za elektrotehniko, računalništvo in informatiko
  • Izidor Mlakar University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , Univerza v Mariboru, Fakulteta za elektrotehniko, računalništvo in informatiko

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18690/scn.15.2.27–44.2022

Keywords:

discourse markers, (non-)prototypical markers, prosody, Praat, translation test, spoken language

Abstract

The present paper presents a qualitative case study of the Slovene discourse marker zdaj (now), which, thus far, has been explored in its prosodically prominent structure or as a prototypical discourse marker. The structural, i.e., the prosodical analysis, highlights that the discourse marker zdaj also manifests in its non-prototypical form. By means of semantic analysis, underpinned by paraphrase and translation tests, we suggest that the non-prototypical form signals subtler frame shifts than its prototypical counterpart, and that it primarily functions as an emphasis device, whereas the prototypical zdaj predominately performs discourse structuring functions.

Author Biographies

  • Simona Majhenič, University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Univerza v Mariboru, Fakulteta za elektrotehniko, računalništvo in informatiko

    Maribor, Slovenia. E-mail: simona.majhenic@um.si

  • Matej Rojc, University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Univerza v Mariboru, Fakulteta za elektrotehniko, računalništvo in informatiko

    Maribor, Slovenia. E-mail: matej.rojc@um.si

  • Izidor Mlakar, University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Univerza v Mariboru, Fakulteta za elektrotehniko, računalništvo in informatiko

    Maribor, Slovenia. E-mail: izidor.mlakar@um.si

Published

24.10.2022

How to Cite

Majhenič, S., Rojc, M., & Mlakar, I. (2022). The non-prototypical discourse marker zdaj. Slavia Centralis, 15(2), 27–44. https://doi.org/10.18690/scn.15.2.27–44.2022