Xu Gao

School of English Studies Xi'an International Studies University

Abstract：

Discourse markers play a crucial role in language communication, and "I mean" is a commonly used one in English. This paper, from the perspective of Relevance Theory, aims to explore the pragmatic functions of "I mean" in Friends (Season 1). Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis of the dialogues in the TV series, it is found that "I mean" in Friends (Season 1) serves ten functions. These functions help speakers convey their intentions more accurately and enable listeners to understand the discourse with less processing effort, thereby promoting the smooth progress of communication. The research results contribute to a better understanding of the role of "I mean" in real-life communication and provide implications for language learning, teaching, and cross-cultural communication.

Key Words：

discourse marker; I mean; relevance theory; pragmatic function; Friends (Season 1)