discursives

Discursives is a term used in some areas of linguistics to refer to a class of linguistic items that function at the level of discourse rather than within the syntax of individual sentences. In this sense, discursives encompass elements that help manage the flow, coherence, and stance of talk or text, rather than merely linking words within a sentence. The term is not universally standardized, but it is often used to group devices such as discourse markers, pragmatic particles, and other signals that influence how a listener or reader interprets ongoing discourse.

In practice, discursives are analyzed for their functional role in communication. They can indicate stance, signal a topic change, mark a transition between turns in conversation, or guide the listener toward an intended interpretation of what has been said. Common examples in many languages include particles or words like well, so, anyway, you know, and I mean, which help structure interaction beyond the propositional content of utterances. The specific inventory and usage of discursives vary across languages and cultures, reflecting differences in discourse practices.

Discursives are often discussed in relation to related concepts such as discourse markers, connective words, and pragmatic particles. While discourse markers traditionally emphasize coherence and organization, discursive analysis may also consider social meaning, speaker intention, and interactional context. Because of varying definitions, scholars may distinguish between discursive devices that primarily guide discourse structure and those that primarily express stance or emotion.

See also: discourse marker, pragmatics, discourse analysis, coherence, pragmatic particle.