The Unspoken Significance of 'Um,' 'Uh,' and 'Like' in Everyday Speech

For ages, language purists have attempted to regulate how we communicate, often targeting the seemingly meaningless 'ums,' 'ers,' and 'likes' that punctuate our conversations. These linguistic fillers, appearing roughly 2-3 times per minute in natural speech, have been dismissed as mere habits or 'disfluencies.' However, a closer look reveals that these sounds, known as hesitation phenomena and discourse markers, play a crucial role in spoken communication.

The Function of Filled Pauses

Linguists have identified these sounds as filled pauses, a type of hesitation phenomenon found across languages. But what purpose do they serve?

Signaling Continuation: Unlike a silent pause, which might indicate an opportunity for another person to speak, a filled pause signals that the speaker intends to continue.
Buying Time: These pauses provide the speaker with valuable time to gather their thoughts or search for the precise word needed.
Alerting the Listener: Filled pauses can also prepare listeners for an important word or concept, increasing the likelihood of recall.

Discourse Markers: Guiding the Conversation

Words like 'like,' 'well,' and 'you know' often function as discourse markers. These terms transcend their literal meanings to convey nuances within a sentence.

Directing the Flow: Discourse markers guide the conversation, ensuring clarity and understanding among participants.
Expressing Attitude: Starting a sentence with 'Look...' can reveal your stance and gauge the listener's receptiveness.
Signaling Elaboration: 'I mean' often indicates that the speaker is about to provide further detail.
Establishing Connections: The versatile word 'like' can create loose associations between ideas or introduce someone else's words or actions.

These markers offer listeners a glimpse into the speaker's thought process, facilitating comprehension and anticipation.

The Role in Language Acquisition

Interestingly, hesitation phenomena and discourse markers are not just tools for understanding language; they also aid in learning it.

Research suggests that toddlers are more likely to identify novel objects when instructions include filled pauses, implying that these pauses cue them to expect new words.

For adolescents and adults learning a second language, filled pauses can ease early conversations. As fluency grows, the appropriate use of hesitation phenomena signals increased proficiency.

Contrary to popular belief, the use of filled pauses doesn't diminish with language mastery.

Context Matters

While hesitation phenomena and discourse markers are natural aspects of communication, their appropriateness varies. In formal writing, they generally serve no purpose. Moreover, the stigma associated with these cues can sometimes disadvantage a speaker.

However, in most everyday conversations, these seemingly insignificant sounds convey a wealth of meaning, enriching our interactions and facilitating understanding.