Segmentation markers as trace and signal of discourse structure

This paper focuses on the functions of segmentation markers, like punctuation, pauses, connectives and referential expressions. They highlight continuity and discontinuity in discourse. These markers can be signals to improve comprehension, but also traces of production difficulties that occur when a new topic is introduced. Data are presented to support this double role of signal and trace. We focus on the connective and. Making production more difficult increases the proportion of and just before a topic shift. When used as a signal of high continuity, this connective is not affected by a manipulation of production difficulty. . William coughed politely. "Er... hm..." he said. This is what he did when he wanted to introduce a new subject. He managed to do it gracefully because it was his habit — and I believe this is typical of the men of his country — to begin every remark with long preliminary moans, as if starting the exposition of a completed thought cost him a great mental effort. Whereas, I am now convinced, the more groans he uttered before his declaration, the surer he was of the soundness of the proposition he was expressing. U. Eco, The Name of the Rose, p.145