Intersubjective Functions of You Know as a Discourse Marker in English Spoken Interaction

Abstract

This paper examines the intersubjective functions of you know as a discourse marker in English spoken interaction. Although the expression originates from the lexical combination of the second-person pronoun you and the cognitive verb know, its use in spontaneous conversation frequently extends beyond its literal meaning. The analysis demonstrates that its pragmatic interpretation is determined by the interaction between communicative context, sequential position, speaker intention, and the assumed relationship between interlocutors.