Emphatic discourse markers: semantic, grammatical and pragmatic aspects (based on the material of D. Defoe’s novel “Robinson Crusoe”)

Aim. To consider the phenomenon of emphasis, verbalized by discourse markers in the English fiction of the XVIII century on the material of D. Defoe’s novel “Robinson Crusoe”. To identify semantic, grammatical and pragmatic features of emphatic discourse markers. Methodology. The author uses the AntConc program to search for literary excerpts from the novel containing emphatic discourse markers and contextual analysis to describe emphatic discourse markers in the fictional discourse. Results. The paper proves the functioning of discourse markers as a way to express emphasis and considers the semantic features of emphatic discourse markers. The author stresses the dominant role of connotative elements and suggests a typology of emphatic discourse markers by the connotative criterion. The paper illustrates the correlation of grammatical characteristics of emphatic discourse markers with their pragmatic functions. Research implications. The research reveals the role of emphatic discourse markers in the creation of emotional and expressive statements, as well as the possibility of combining emphatic discourse markers on the basis of their connotative peculiarities.