The Use of I Think as Different Types of Markers in English Conversations
Issued Date
2025-06-01
Resource Type
eISSN
2226471X
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105009292567
Journal Title
Languages
Volume
10
Issue
6
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Languages Vol.10 No.6 (2025)
Suggested Citation
Pan Z. The Use of I Think as Different Types of Markers in English Conversations. Languages Vol.10 No.6 (2025). doi:10.3390/languages10060145 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/111092
Title
The Use of I Think as Different Types of Markers in English Conversations
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Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
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Abstract
This research investigated the use of I think as different types of markers by Thai learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) to determine whether the use of I think by Thai intermediate- and advanced-level EFL participants showed any significant differences. The types of markers and the functions of I think used by the Thai EFL participants were identified, as were their inappropriate uses of I think. In total, 72 Thai EFL participants were involved in this research, and dyadic English conversations were conducted for data collection. The statistical results illustrated that the Thai intermediate-level EFL participants used I think significantly more often than the Thai advanced-level EFL participants, particularly as a stance marker (SM). By contrast, the Thai advanced-level EFL participants used I think significantly more often as a pragmatic marker (PM) and as a politeness marker (PoM) than the Thai intermediate-level EFL participants. The Thai intermediate-level EFL participants mainly used the SM I think to express a subjective evaluative stance, while the Thai advanced-level EFL participants used I think across a broader range of markers and functions. Their inappropriate uses of I think are also discussed.