Ummm … like… y’know …
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I don’t have much of an issue with filler words, they may be annoying, but to me its innocent and I can overlook it. But I get it, it can be annoying when you have a 90 minute podcast and you hear it over and over and over.
But my real problem is the use of “So” at the beginning of sentences, and “right” at the end of sentences. I am no grammar expert. But to me, the word “So” is used to imply that the speaker is making the statement based on facts, and the word “right” at the end is compelling you to agree with a statement carte blanche. I may be wrong about this, but this feels like venture capitalists were the ones uses these words allot when talking to the press about a new startup, etc. I feel like these are tools of a very persuasive personality. But it has spread everywhere and to me it is very subliminal. Are there any news articles about this?
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Here is an example,
“So, the new [insert new product here] will reinvent the industry, right. And the [insert company name here] will be masters of the universe, right.”
It just occurred to me that the “right” at the end of the sentence also makes it somewhat of a rhetorical question. Again, I don’t know nothing about them there grammar rules, LOL. But please send me links to any grammar articles about this if there are any. I can’t seam to find any but maybe I’m using the wrong search terms in Google.
I found an article about “So”
https://www.npr.org/2015/09/03/432732859/so-whats-the-big-deal-with-starting-a-sentence-with-so
Here is some forum chat about the use of the word “right”. It mirrors my general conclusions, but I’d like a more grammar perspective / explanation.
https://www.quora.com/When-and-why-did-everyone-start-ending-sentences-with-right-What-is-the-source-of-this-ubiquitous-and-condescending-affectation
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In my generation, and still prevalent, “um, uh, er, ah, okay, right, you know”. Another overused is “essentially”, however that one seems to have worked its way out of younger folks. For some, it is a sign of nervousness; they fear silence and experience speaker anxiety.
I was the president of my local chapter of Toastmasters, and I was always either the worst or among the worst when it came to the “Ah” count at the end of the meeting. My defense was, “That’s my style, Man.”
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Ah… toastmasters. Not seen that in years
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I have done public speaking for various events and charities since I was a young gal. I also majored in Theater Arts and had to speak, sing and perform daily. It absolutely takes time and practice to conquer not using filler words. I always say…start with swapping out filler words for a short pauses. It helps you understand how often you really are using filler words.
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I often wonder if folks doing podcasts go back and listen to their recordings. And even then, would they pick up on how many times they use filler words. Also wonder if using the filler “LIKE” so often, is their way of just trying to be the cool-kid. On a positive note, @mikahsargent has really improved his hosting skills. Maybe because of all the extra hours filling in for @Leo, he is too exhausted to be nervous. @mikahsargent has done a very good job keeping the shows moving along by sticking to the show notes and handling the silliness that occurs, ie. Andy and Alex on MacBreak Weekly 686.
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My wife enjoys watching Kelly and Ryan. This happens when I don’t first get TWiT tuned in. Sadly, even both of these professionals seem to have contracted the “LIKE” disease. “I was like…” used numerous times within a short time frame. Seems obvious, this way of talking is their way of trying to be cool which must identify with younger crowd?
Filler words are not always about being nervous. I use them to string thoughts together, or when my mind blanks out for a second
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I think everyone on TWIT network does a very good job with avoiding this pitfall. Contrast it to some of the folks on other podcasts, and it becomes quite apparent. If you played the drinking game while listening to the MacWorld podcast, and took a drink every time one particular host says “you know,” on the show, or on his YouTube presentations, you wouldn’t last 10 minutes. 
.
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“like … you know” ºººº
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This is timely for me! My granddaughter is slightly learning delayed and recently has begun to use “like” an awful lot. I’m trying to let her finish what she’s telling me and then repeating it without all the likes in there or else I stop her and tell her to slow down and think what she wants to say before saying it. The second seems to work a bit better than the first.
The problem continues, however. She just wants to say something and rushes to say it, using like to give her the time to formulate what she wants to say next! If anyone has ideas on how to make her aware of saying like…she seems to have no idea she’s saying it…I’d love to hear some thoughts! Would recording her and playing it back help? I don’t want to have her feeling self conscience over it but I don’t want a permanent habit to develop either!
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All I’ll say is that every once in a while someone will message me with a new filler word or crutch word that I’m using. Often I have no idea until they mention it. Then it becomes my mission to stop… and dayum, its really difficult to stop. But the first step is awareness. Focusing on pausing instead of using that word helps. Might be a bit of dead air but it usually works.
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I am convinced overuse of “LIKE” is a cultural issue spread among the younger folks. Our granddaughter was in elementary school when we first noticed. Honestly believe the use of “LIKE” has gotten worse, into her Jr High time. When she Facetimes her Nana, she talks faster than I can listen. Every other word is, “LIKE”. And of course I try by replying, “you mean, similar to?” but that just gets an “oh Papa”. Bottom line, the younger podcasters likely are around even younger folks who are overusing “LIKE” and have unknowing become influenced. Then again, maybe they are well aware and think it is the cool way to talk.
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I’m gonna bet every generation and culture has filler words. We don’t speak the same way we write. All you have to do is compare written prose with a transcript of unrehearsed spoken word - they’re almost two different languages (for an example, check out the transcripts of Security Now).
The linguist, John McWhorter, talks about this in his books (like The Story of Human Language)
One of the hardest things to do if you talk for a living is to learn to avoid so, like, you know, um, and uh. That and not swearing! It just ain’t natural.
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I think it is difficult in a conversational, unscripted show to avoid filler words. I don’t mind it honestly. Makes the shows feel more spontaneous and approachable.
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There was an earlier thread somewhat relating to grammar and filler words.
I brought up McWhorter,
This is my first contribution although I’ve watched TWiT for many years.
I grew up in England, have lived in the US for over 30 years and am now retired. I am sure I speak with more than my fair share of ums, wells, you knows, etc. We are just not conscious of these linguistic pauses in our own speech. However, I am intensely conscious of the way others fill pauses. I bristle visible and audible at the astonishing frequency of "like"s that fill my grown children’s conversation especially when they are agitated or excited. Or the use of “yes, no” to begin an answer to a question. Or “you know what I mean” – no I can’t know what you mean until you actually tell me in words!
OK, end of grumpy old man rant.
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