Which term describes a linguistic feature that signals a shift in topic or conversational focus, such as using 'Look' at the start of a sentence?

Which term describes a linguistic feature that signals a shift in topic or conversational focus, such as using 'Look' at the start of a sentence?

• A. transaction marker
• B. conversational repair
• C. fossilization
• D. language focus

Answer: (A)

Shifting topic or focus in speech is guided by cues that cue the listener to move to new information or a new point in the conversation. When you start a sentence with Look, you’re drawing attention to something you want the listener to notice now, signaling a change in where the conversation is headed. In some frameworks, such signals are described as transaction markers because they mark a move in the speaker’s current conversational goal—redirecting the discourse toward a new focus or matter to be addressed. That makes it the best fit among the given terms for describing this kind of cue.

The other terms refer to different ideas: conversational repair is about fixing a misunderstanding, fossilization is about persistent language errors, and language focus isn’t a standard label for this kind of discourse cue.