Sounds Americans Make in Conversation
You and I can agree that formal English and conversational English styles are different. Right?
Would you agree with me if I said it’s okay to use fillers like “um, hmm, oh?”
Most English language schools encourage students to NOT use fillers. While that is excellent advice for academic or formal English, it is important to know the truth. NATIVE ENGLISH speakers use filler words and filler sounds often during conversations. In fact, understanding these sounds will help improve your listening skills during a normal conversation.
Example:👇Can you understand Sam in this conversation? (listen to the audio)👇
Tom: I went to see a movie yesterday.
Sam: uh-huh
Tom: Have you been to the theater downtown?
Sam: unh-unh
Tom: Oh that shocks me! I’m sure you’d like it’s “coffeehouse” theme.
Sam: Nyaa haoo.
Tom: Ya huh- it’s truly unique.
Let’s check your comprehension:
Was Sam interested in the conversation at first?
Has Sam been to the theater?
How did Sam feel when Tom told him the theatre’s theme?
Answers: no, no, excited.
What are some common non-lexical sounds in conversational American English?
read and listen to the examples below
HMM( high to low pitch)
Usually used to inject during conversation and to show interest in the topic and a willingness to continue listening.
2. Mm- hmm ( high second sound)
An affirmative yes or an informal way to say “you’re welcome”
3. Uh- huh ( stress second syllable)
Neutral sound that doesn’t show engagement or interest. If said in a slow low pitch it can be considered rude since it is a way of signalling that the conversation is trivial, boring, and you want it to stop.
4. Unh-unh ( stress on both sounds)
This sound means “no”. It’s a non-lexical response to basic questions.
5. Nyaoo-hao (high then low)
It means “no way” usually because of surprise.
6.nyeah ( low tone)
Careful with this one. This is different from “yeah” and Americans usually use it to overlap the other speaker to cut them off and to stop the conversation. You probably shouldn’t keep talking if someone says this multiple time
7. Ya-huh(high pitched)
An affirmative yes response if someone showed surprise or disbelief.
8.mm - hmm ( both low pitched)
Americans use this sound during conversation to let the speaker continue and to show that they don’t want to comment. It’s like passing up the opportunity to speak.
9. Mmmm ( elongated)
The listener understands the speaker, but is neutral and isn’t showing if they agree or not.
10. Uh-oh
Similar to oops, acknowledging a mistake.
🤭Which of these sounds have you made or heard? Let me know in the comments below.
Linguistic professor Rod Gardner made an interesting observation regarding ums and uhs in his journal Applied Linguistics. He explained that when native English speakers use “um” it is usually followed by a long pause indicating a lack of vocabulary or not knowing what to say next. However, if the native English speaker says “uh” it doesn’t disrupt fluency and it is usually a brief pause used to catch their breath and move on to the next thoughtt.
So- while it’s true that you need to reduce your use of ‘ums’ to sound fluent, it’s okay if you add in an ‘uh’ here and there and sprinkle some of the other non-lexical conversational sounds in English in your speech.
P.S. Learning another language is the most fun when you learn about its culture :) Now you know when to say uh-huh and hopefully you won’t get offended if an American make that strange sound instead of saying, “you’re welcome".