Filler Words: The Definition and Their Communicative Functions
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, June 2022
Pages:
6-10
Received:
5 July 2022
Accepted:
29 July 2022
Published:
11 October 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.allc.20220702.11
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Abstract: Filler words (I mean, you know, um, uh…) represent linguistic units, that take the form of Relatively short forms, concise expressions used by the speaker during verbal communication for the purpose of segmenting the speech especially in the case of emotional charge and the suspension of the verbal act. The purpose behind using speech fillers is expressive and communicative. The speaker, thus, ensures long-windedness, the continuation of communication along with proper delivery of the semiotic context of the linguistic message. Studies have neglected to address and treat these units. Through this article, we have tried to expose the related definitions given to “speech fillers” and how they were treated in classical and modern criticism, using a descriptive and analytical approach, and we explained that these expressions are not tautology in speech, but rather have several functions in oral discourse based on spontaneity. We conclude that these expressions are used at times of emotion to segment speech and ensure the chronological sequence of thoughts. We have also shown that speech fillers connect discourse parts and grant its proper sequence, homogeneity and expressiveness, it also contributes to changing the interpretation of the text and directing the meaning to other intention, such as punctuation marks in written discourse. We may say that speech fillers are considered a part of the linguistic activity that should not be neglected for language has to be analyzed through all its expressive manifestations.
Abstract: Filler words (I mean, you know, um, uh…) represent linguistic units, that take the form of Relatively short forms, concise expressions used by the speaker during verbal communication for the purpose of segmenting the speech especially in the case of emotional charge and the suspension of the verbal act. The purpose behind using speech fillers is ex...
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