Like, What’s the Deal With Like?
Department
English and Technical Communication
Major
English
Research Advisor
Bryan, Eric Shane
Advisor's Department
English and Technical Communication
Abstract
This project investigates word like as it used in Modern English, focusing on like as a quotative, discourse filler and hedge. Data was gathered by recording conversations between players of the video game World of Warcraft and afterward analyzed. When players used the word like in conversation the usage was placed into the following categories: preposition used in comparisons, a conjunction, a verb, a noun, an adverb, a quotatative, a hedge or a discourse particle. This research demonstrates why like should be appreciated in Modern English for its versatility and use as a discourse particle.
Biography
Amanda Amsden is currently a senior majoring in English with secondary teaching certification at the University of Missouri Science and Technology. After graduating May, she plans to teach English at a secondary school in the area while working on a master’s degree in educational literacy. Amanda’s hobbies include reading, riding fourwheelers and spending time with her dog and two cats.
Research Category
Arts and Humanities
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Award
Arts and humanities oral presentation, Second place
Location
Carver Room
Presentation Date
07 Apr 2010, 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Like, What’s the Deal With Like?
Carver Room
This project investigates word like as it used in Modern English, focusing on like as a quotative, discourse filler and hedge. Data was gathered by recording conversations between players of the video game World of Warcraft and afterward analyzed. When players used the word like in conversation the usage was placed into the following categories: preposition used in comparisons, a conjunction, a verb, a noun, an adverb, a quotatative, a hedge or a discourse particle. This research demonstrates why like should be appreciated in Modern English for its versatility and use as a discourse particle.
