Formal and Discursive Functions of the English Word Like

The paper deals with the problem of distinguishing between the traditional formal functions of the English word like (conjunction, preposition, particle) and its discursive functions referred to as metalinguistic, emphatic, hesitational, quotative, examplificatory, and approximative. These functions convey various subjective and abstract shades of meaning which promote the use like in new pragmatic contexts. Most scholars define like in its discursive functions as a “discourse marker”. However, the development of the classification model for the description of these functions poses a serious problem. The authors attempt to show the semantic development of like. This process is accompanied by desemantization, i.e. semantic bleaching, and an increase in the level of abstraction of the new meanings. The article also presents the results of the authors’ investigation into the stylistic reference of the word like in its formal and discursive functions. The analysis based on fiction and scientific texts shows an overwhelming prevalence of formal and discursive like in works of fiction, mainly in the parts containing conversations; it also shows the absence of such uses in scientific writings. Further research into discursive functions of lexical items can be conducted within the framework of pragmatics with its theories and methodology.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

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