Sure in Irish English

Abstract

The English adjective sure functions in Irish English as a pragmatic marker in sentence-initial or clause-initial position (occasionally in tag questions) expressing intersubjectivity in discourse. This essentially has the effect of affirming shared knowledge among speakers and offering reassurance in cases where a speaker feels it is appropriate to do so. The specifically Irish use of sure can be traced back to the late seventeenth century with a peak in the nineteenth century, going on literary representations of Irish English. Its indexical value for Irishness may have contributed to its decline, but not demise, in twentieth century literature, despite its continued occurrence in Irish English today.

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