The usage of discourse markers in bilingual Turkish children

The ultimate purpose of this study is to examine the pragmatic elements in the everyday language use of Turkish children living abroad. In natural language environments, several factors need to be considered. These include the effects of bilingualism, language change, context-dependent linguistic variations, and the difficulties children face in switching between languages due to limited exposure to their mother tongue. This study specifically investigates which types and functions of discourse markers are used by Turkish children living abroad. The study analyzes how discourse markers frequently encountered in children's daily lives, social interactions, and language development processes (such as 'şey', 'yani', 'ama', 'işte') are used and for what purposes. The functions of discourse markers, such as maintaining fluency, creating thinking time, gaining time during speech, and softening expressions, are explored. The relationship between dominant language use and discourse marker preferences is also examined. The data were collected in the 2023-2024 academic year from two Turkish children aged 7 and 13, living abroad and attending Gymnasium. The recordings, consisting of various online sessions with a total duration of approximately five hours, were analyzed using qualitative data analysis methods. One of the primary objectives of this study is to identify which linguistic units, commonly referred to as "discourse markers" in the literature, are used by Turkish children. Additionally, it aims to investigate the awareness of these children regarding the functions that these markers serve in spoken Turkish. Discourse markers play a crucial role in organizing written and spoken communication. These linguistic elements connect different parts of speech to ensure coherence and are expressed through phrases like "so," "you know," "well," "yes," "but," and "uh." This study aims to identify the factors that contribute to fluency in children's daily language use in their native tongue, as well as the obstacles that hinder this fluency.