Markers of argumentation in intercultural professional discourse

In this paper I explore the potential of studying the linguistic surface of professional dialogic comments for the purposes of identifying markers of argumentative moves. Argumentative markers can be any single or complex lexical expression as well as a discursive configuration whose presence in a given utterance marks that utterance or the one preceding/following it, or a larger piece of discourse as having a certain argumentative function. Examples taken from an English corpus highlight the variety of discourse markers used for creating convincing arguments, seeking for and expressing agreement, and expressing disagreement and contrast in professional encounters. Some of the findings shed light on the differences in the use of argumentative discourse markers by native and non-native speakers of English.