The semantics of the norm of predictability in statements with discursive markers

The article aims to analyse the content of the norms of predictability, the understanding of which is reflected in the semantics of statements with discourse markers, and identify the role of these linguistic units in its expression. The study was carried out on the material with more than 100 discourse markers and about 80 contexts of their use. Discourse markers that express the attitude to the norm of predictability are some conjunctions, particles, parentheses, indefinite pronouns and interjections. To study the role of these units in terms of the norm of predictability semantic analysis of statements, in which discourse words contribute to designating the situation corresponding or not corresponding to the norm, and comparative analysis of statements designating different options of deviations from this norm were used. The study found that the existing state of affairs and events in the future may be assessed from the point of view of the norms of predictability. Any of them can conform to the norm of predictability or indicate an anomaly. Discourse markers can be used to specify that the current situation conforms to the norm, because it corresponds to the expectations or intentions of the subject (e.g., konechno [of course], estestvenno (chto...) [naturally], razumeetsya [certainly], vporyadke veshchey [in the nature of things]) and deviations from the norm of predictability generally resulting from unexpected situations (e.g., kak vdrug [and suddenly], vot tak istoriya! [what a mess!]); in that case, these words can indicate the reasons of unpredictability, consisting in change of the usual order of things (e.g., dazhe (azh /i) [even]) or in non-obvious causal relations between events (e.g., pochemu-to [somehow], zachem-to [for some reason]). In statements about future events discourse markers have an implicit or explicit semantics. Their meanings can be different 1) in the nature of predictions, which may be optimistic (e.g., avos' [may be], byla ne byla /whatever happens happens) or pessimistic (e.g., a (ne) to [otherwise], ne roven chas [one never knows]), 2) in the degree of probability of its implementation, which can range from the inevitable (e.g., konechno [of course], nesomnenno [certainly], bez /vne (vsyakogo) somneniya [no doubt]) to a small probability (e.g., edva li [it is unlikely]), 3) by the reaction of speakers to external circumstances they cannot influence; this reaction can be a desire to prepare for any unexpected events (e.g., esli chto [if something happens], na vsyakiy sluchay [just in case], pache chayaniya [contrary to (all) expectations]) or an intention to take pot luck (e.g., avos' [may be], byla ne byla [whatever happens happens]). The study established that the content of the norm of predictability is the idea of human ability to form a correct opinion on the development of events or on the state of affairs in the future on the basis of the speaker's information about the normal state of things, and by knowing basic logical laws.

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