语言的功能主要是传递和建立与维持人际关系,而对于口语来说,人际关系的功能尤为重要,因此一门语言的口语的特点是与人际交流分不开的。因而,口语的一个主要的特点就是具有鲜明的人际互动性,而发挥这种互动性的一个主要途径是通过话语标记词来实现的。话语标记词是指本身并无意义,独立于整个语句之外的插入成分的词语,它们能起到表明话语结构、使话语延续、表达交际意图等功能。有学者形象地把话语标记词形容成“言谈话轮的润滑油”,并指出:“没有它们话语机器的运转是不顺畅的。”在众多话语标记词中,well是意义最为丰富的,使用频率也是最高的。其几乎无处不在,意义也甚为丰富。几乎随意一个影视片断中都有well的存在,而且密度很大,因此,笔者决定将well的功能在此整理一下。下面笔者将结合《绝望的主妇》中的一个片段来具体看一下作为话语标记词的well的功能。 (下面片段选自《绝望的主妇》第一季第10集32′50″) Mike:So how’s Julie taking all of this? Susan:Not accused me of not being agood mother. Mike:You’re a great man. Susan:Well,she was sort of really leaned on her a lot. Mike:Seems natural. Susan:And I still kinda do just wantsomebody to talk to about all mv adult ’s right there,and she just acts so mature,Iforgot she’s thirteen. Mike:Well the good news is that from now on,if you ever want to talk to somebody about grown-’ve got me. Susan:Well,I can’t talk to you about everything. Mike:Oh? Susan:What if 1 want to talk about the bigcrush I have on the plumber that lives across thestreet?