The pragmatic functions and the interpretations of the particle ‘taha’
(τάχα) in classroom discourse in the Cypriot-Greek dialect: the emergence of
a new function
This paper aims to present the pragmatic functions and the interpretations of ‘taha’ (τάχα) (a very commonly used particle in oral Cypriot-Greek interactions) as it is used in classroom discourse. The present study collected and analysed data from a three hour recording of the participants’ speech, and isolated 32 critical episodes that included ‘taha’. Students were also asked to note the functions of ‘taha’ through the use of a questionnaire, and to interpret its functions through a discussion. Following the pragmatic analysis proposed by Tsiplakou and Papapetrou (2020), the current research concluded that the basic meaning of ‘taha’ (‘supposedly/allegedly’) may perform several pragmatic functions, depending on the context. Among others, ‘taha’ functions as a pragmatic marker of (1) dissociation from the associated implicatures, (2) dissociation from the propositional content, (3) request for clarifications, and (4) a hedging device. In addition, ‘taha’ sometimes works as a pragmatic marker of emphasis to the propositional content, a function that has not been reported in the bibliography so far.