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This study examined the discourse-pragmatic functions the DM Zen performs at the interpersonal and textual levels of Iraqi Arabic oral discourse. It also explored whether there is a relationship between the speaker's gender or educational level and the use of the DM Zen from a functional viewpoint. Brinton’s (1996) dual model of functions was employed as a framework of analysis. The results revealed that beside Brinton's (1996) proposed macro- level functions, the DM Zen was found to fulfil extra micro-level functions at both levels of discourse. The results also showed that the speaker's gender and educational level had no effect on the usage of the speech marker Zen in terms of functions.
Al-Abbad et al. (Tue,) studied this question.