A discourse-analytic study of clarification requests in educational context

Abstract EN

Abstract This paper sheds light on the use of different forms and readings used by speakers to facilitate mutual understating.

These different forms and readings are presented by Purver in his theory of clarification (2004a).

The most common forms and their interpretations are investigated in the educational context.

The influence of sex and role variables on using clarification requests (henceforth CRs) is also examined.

The study aims to investigate the applicability of Purver’s theory of clarification to Educational discourse and check the influence of the ‘ role’ and ‘sex’ variables on using CRs in such a type of discourse.

It is hypothesized, among other things, that CR is a powerful tool that can be used in the educational setting to facilitate mutual understanding and that during the teaching/ learning process students use CRs more than teachers.