Žinai ‘you know’ in Lithuanian discourse

Abstract

This corpus-based study focuses on the frequency, distribution patterns and functional profile of the pragmatic marker žinai ‘you know’ in Lithuanian spoken discourse and fiction. The data for the study comes from interviews, spontaneous private conversations and a parallel corpus of English and Lithuanian fiction texts. The results show that žinai ‘you know’ can occupy clause initial, medial and final positions, in which it can perform various functions. They range from textual (indicating a word search or hesitation, sustaining the flow of discourse, offering a clarification, introducing information or arguments) to interpersonal (making reference to common knowledge and seeking understanding or agreement from the addressee).