Filler Words in english

"Umm, i saw this really huge building.. you know in the middle of ahh.. the street near wilson garden..you know that street that's like.. . really deserted"

It was only recently that I realised that more than talking in complete sentences, my conversations with my students and friends were filled with filler words. Filler words are nothing but empty, unneeded words that restrict conversations and are often used to fill in gaps and pauses in conversations.

um.. ahh.. you know.. it's like.. that thing..ok..right.. well that thingee..basically...supposedly..actually..

These are some of the common fillers that are found in most conversations. Even though its quite alright to use these fillers once in a while during informal conversations, over a period of time they become a habit and finally are a part and parcel of our speaking style and diction. In formal situationsespecially, they can become quite annoying to the listener, and the speaker could unknowingly become more and more conscious and use these fillers to make up for the awkardness he or she feels.

For those who would like to get over the usage of these filler words here are a few guidelines..

• Organize your thoughts: It is human tendency to speak even before your thoughts have been organized and it is during this gap between the arranging of your thoughts and the words being spoken that fillers are used the most. To avoid this take time off to first think about what you want to say and then say the words. This helps in eliminating unneccessary use of filler words.
• Say the filler word..but only in your head: This means that everytime you want to fill in a gap say with an umm.. in between your talk or speech try to prolong the word or the vowel sound instead of using a filler word. For instance.. Instead of saying.. i saw a green ... um moss green coloured dress, say i saw a greeen (say the um in your head but think of the word you want to say and then continue with the rest of your sentence.
• Pause and take a break: Try to take a break especially if you have a tendency to speak really fast and pause between your sentences. You don't have to feel awkward and fill in the pauses with the use of empty words.Wait a second before you say your next sentence.
• Practice: If you have a really important presentation to make practice in front of the mirror and also record your speech and listen to it. This will give a clear idea of the fillers that you un-consciously use when you speak and make the necessary corrections.
• Keep it Short, Simple and Sweet: Always use simple, neat ans precise words that are easy to comprehend and not too complex for the listener.(be it formal or informal communication) This keeps you from being too monotonous, boring and keeps you away from using filler words. (so you don't have to think of the high sounding words that you have forgotten to use.

One Book that gives excellent guidelines on the subject of Filler Words is Authored by Michael Erard, Um… : Slips, Stumbles, and Verbal Blunders and What They Mean.

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