A Sociolinguistic Analysis of the Discourse Functions of I dont know in Persian Language: Hyme's SPEAKING Model

Considering the Hymes’ SPEAKING model (1967), the current qualitative research examines the use of the expression "I dont know" (/nemidānam/) in Persian language to come up with its different discourse functions. To achieve this goal, 450 natural contexts in which this linguistic sample was used, were recorded, transcribed, and later analyzed. Therefore, the required data was collected purposefully from the natural context through observation. Hyme's model was then applied, and finally the uses of this label were sociologically investigated. The hidden motivation behind the use of ‘I don’t know’ in Persian language in the condition that the speaker has the demanded information is to consider the principles of politeness and to save the face of the addressee. Based on the findings of the research, different functions of ‘I dont know’ in Persian can be classified under five broad categories of ‘Minimizing face-threatening acts’, ‘Avoiding explicit disagreement’, ‘Marking uncertainty’, ‘Displaying indirectness’ and ‘Avoiding commitment’.