Chinese Estimates Sexual Discourse Marker Research

Due to the theoretical method restrictions, this kind of verbal component like "it appears","like it to say" hasn’t been studied deeply in traditional language research of the past. From a new viewpoint of Discourse Markers, we have investigated these "estimate-speculate" discourse component.To begin with, the author defines what is "estimate-speculate" discourse marker. Until now, Scholars haven’t unified conclusion at what is "discourse marker". Based on previous studies, this paper gives an operative definition of discourse markers. This paper also analyzes and summarizes the semantic features of "estimate-speculate" by looking for the explanation of "estimate" and "speculate" in Modern Chinese Dictionary. By the definition of these two concepts, the paper eventually determines the research objects.Second, the author discusses the using conditions and cognitive basis of "estimate-speculate" discourse marker. This paper borrows the research results of psychology about "uncertainty", sums up the using conditions and analyses the cognitive basis of "estimate-speculate" discourse marker. The author thinks that lacking of information and confidence coupled with politeness principle is the cognitive basis of "estimate-speculate" discourse marker.Thirdly, on the condition of close corpus, this paper investigates the independence and distributed situation of "estimate-speculate" discourse marker by the method of the statistical analysis. The author has found that they show the trend of continua. For a single estimate-speculate discourse marker, independent use and adhesive use have differences on semantics, tone and expressive function. A change in the position relates to a speaker’s degree of involvement and different levels of subjectivity.Fourthly, this paper has studied usage pattern of each estimate-speculate discourse marker using Fraser’s discourse analysis model in1999. On this basis, the author abstracts the core pragmatic function of each estimate-speculate discourse marker.Finally, the paper analyses the interpersonal function and textual function of estimate-speculate discourse marker according to relevance theory proposed by Sapir and Wilson.This paper has a detailed and comprehensive study on estimate-speculate parenthesis called in the traditional grammar from the perspective of discourse marker. This study helps to understand these "used to" discourse component from a new perspective and a comprehensive understanding for their usage and functions.