LEXICAL HEDGES IN AMERICAN TALK SHOW DISCOURSE

Abstract

This article examines lexical hedging strategies in the discourse of American talk shows, such as “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”. Lexical hedges, as essential components of speech strategies, play a critical role in fostering successful communication by softening the categorical nature of statements and enhancing politeness. The study includes an analysis of talk show episode scripts, identification of primary types of lexical hedges and their functions, and an assessment of their impact on communication effectiveness and success. The communicative and pragmatic features of lexical hedges used in American talk shows were analyzed in detail.

The research objective is to identify the functional and structural characteristics of lexical hedges and their role in mitigating categorical statements and implementing positive politeness. The core ideas of the study revolve around understanding the mechanisms of hedging to achieve effective communication within the dynamic discourse of talk shows.

The scientific and practical significance of this work lies in its contribution to the theoretical foundation of linguistic pragmatics by providing new insights into speech strategies in talk shows. The practical value is reflected in the potential application of the findings for foreign language teaching, the development of teaching methodologies, and translation studies.

The methodology includes linguistic description, covert observation, and contextual analysis, enabling the identification and classification of lexical hedges. A mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative techniques ensured a comprehensive analysis of the material.

The results reveal that the most frequent lexical hedges in talk show discourse are “you know,” “kind of,” “well,” “I mean,” “just,” and “like,” among others. These expressions function to soften statements, maintain positive politeness, and reduce the categorical nature of utterances. The analysis highlighted their strategic use by both hosts and guests, contributing to a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

The value of this research lies in its in-depth understanding of communicative strategies employed in American talk show discourse. The findings contribute to the development of linguistic hedging studies, expanding knowledge of interaction in spontaneous speech.

The practical significance of this study lies in its potential application for developing educational materials aimed at teaching strategic use of hedging in speech. The results can also be useful for linguists interested in speech strategies and communication within the television talk show format, as well as for philologists, translators, and foreign language instructors.