The discourse function of questions

Abstract

One basis for classifying questions is in terms of the intentions of their speakers (Ctr. Fillmore, 0n Grammatical Constructions, 1986 ms). At the outset of a question, contextual and/or praSmatic information is present in the speaker's mind. The aim of the paper is first to examine four categories of questions of interrogative structure and their function in semantic and/or pragmatic 1eve1.I will then turn to their use in rea 1 discourse, uti ItztnQ data f rom three types of ora 1 corpus of English. It is observed that not only the different types of questions are characterized by different functions, but the use of the different modes of questioning indicate the relationship that exists between the questioner and the respondent (intimacy, social distarLce , authority). I sha11 therefore concentrate on the relationship between the various functions question.s perform and the roles of the speakers involved in the question act. 2. llodes of questioaiag Questioning is a speech act which affects the way information is organized. Since there is more than one kind of meaning conveyed by a speech act and verbal forms alone are not sufficient as a basis for determining meaning, then the meaning of questions must be partly dependent on rules governing social relationships. In the framework which will enable me to explain the functions questions may fulf i1, I account for speech situations in which there is a speaker and a hearer I Thrs rs a revrseci