cover of episode 91. Um, like, so: How Filler Words Can Create More Connected, Effective Communication

91. Um, like, so: How Filler Words Can Create More Connected, Effective Communication

2023/5/23
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Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
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Valerie Fridland: 本期节目探讨了诸如“um”、“uh”、“so”、“like”和“you know”等填充词在日常沟通中的作用。Fridland教授认为，这些词并非简单的“语气词”，而是具有重要的社会语言学功能，它们不仅传递信息，也表达说话者的情感、态度和与听者的关系。她详细解释了“like”一词的多重含义和用法，以及“so”作为过渡词在引导补充背景信息方面的作用。此外，她还分析了“I mean”和“you know”在细化信息和邀请听众参与方面的功能，并指出这些词语的使用与性别、年龄等因素有关，可能会影响人们对说话者的评价。关于“嗯”和“啊”等填充词，Fridland教授认为它们并非完全无用，它们可以反映说话者的认知过程，并帮助听者更好地理解信息。她还探讨了语调的升降变化（如uptalk和vocal fry）在传递社交信息方面的作用，以及表情符号在现代沟通中的应用。 Matt Abrahams: 作为节目的主持人，Matt Abrahams与Fridland教授就填充词、语调和表情符号等话题进行了深入的探讨，并表达了自己对这些语言现象的看法和疑问。他引导了话题的展开，并对Fridland教授的观点进行了回应和补充。

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Language serves both informational and social purposes, encoding not just messages but also social relationships and personal feelings.

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We’re often advised not to use “um” or “uh”, or “so” and “you know” in our communication. But linguist Valerie Fridland might argue otherwise. “Language is about how we encode both the linguistic message and a social message,” she says. “Crutch words … are really valuable and they have arisen to serve a need.” 

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart: the podcast, Fridland sits down with host and strategic communications lecturer Matt Abrahams to discuss how and when we use "you know","so", and other filler words. For example, Fridland says, the way we use “um” varies greatly from how and we might use “uh.” And the use of “like,” while deplored by many, actually serves a linguistic function and can provide context and background for a listener.

She and Matt also discuss the social linguistic function of vocal fry and whether emojis have a place in business communication. 

Fridland is a professor of sociolinguistics at the University of Nevada. She's an expert on the relationship between language and society and recently released a new book, Like Literally Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English.)

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