Iniciadores de turno em função da polidez

This paper examines the use of discourse markers as turn takersand shows how they are correlated to politeness factors.More than 7000 beginnings of turns are analyzed in interviewswith speakers from Rio de Janeiro using the methodology oflanguage variation proposed by Labov. Factors such as type ofdiscourse, complexity and change of topic in the interview,argumentative attitude of the interviewee, etc. are seen as facethreatening contexts that require polite strategies such as the useof discourse markers.The functionalist approach of the paper is discussed, as long asstructural items are interpreted as motivated by the context ofinteraction