‘The particle is the meaning, aya?’: Discourse Particles in Ilocano

Abstract

This paper explores discourse particles in Ilocano in two parts. The first part examines the versatility of discourse particles in Ilocano, their functions, and how they express the opinions, attitudes, and emotions of a speaker. On the other hand, the second part employs Schacter and Otanes’ (1972) typology of enclitic particles. As in Tagalog, there were four classes identified in Ilocano pragmatic particles. Class 1 includes -en and pay. The particle –en denotes a sense of completion and punctuality. Meanwhile, pay furthers what was previously said. In the same way as Tagalog’s Class 1, -en and pay may not be preceded by other particles and may never occur in immediate sequence with one another as in -en pay except when the sequence is pay=en. Class 2 particle man implies a command that shows impatience. Man never precedes a particle in Class 1 and never follows a particle belonging to Class 3 or 4. However, it pays to underscore that the Ilocano particle
man, in exceptional conditions may follow a particle belonging to Class 3 and 4. The discourse particle aya is often used in interrogative expressions to express wonder, surprise, or doubt. On the other hand, met expresses pessimism and emphasis. Finally, kano is considered as a reporting discourse particle which expresses that the information is second-hand. In relation to Schacter and Otanes’s (1972) Class 3, aya, met, and kano can belong to Class 3 (a) which never follow a Class 4 particle and Class 3(b) which may follow a Class 4 particle. The particle sa functions in various ways. Inserting sa in a sentence will change its meaning from something that is certain to another that is speculative.