Damaging verbal filler words are terms used in speech that are not necessary such as, "um, like, ya know, uh-huh", tongue noises, lip smacking, throat clearing or a bodily movement not related to your message. Any type of non-meaningful verbal noise made during speech is a damaging filler word. Teenagers commonly use this type of terminology and who wants to discuss business or make critical decisions with someone who presents like an adolescent? These behaviors cause disruption with the flow of speech and discount your credibility and level of confidence.
Why are damaging filler words used during speech?
1. Nervous Behavior
When distracted by the effects of nervous behavior, speech will be impacted as a result of anxiety. Filler words are injected as the speaker is coordinating their thoughts, speech and anxiety at the same time.
2. Reinforced Habit
When speakers are excited about what they want to say or their thoughts are moving faster than what their speech mechanism can accommodate, habitual filler words may be used. They are not necessarily being used due to nervous behavior but became habit at some point. Often the habit is used as a "filler" to buy time to organize thoughts. Filler words become injected such as, "you know" or "sure" to buy a moment of time while thoughts are being arranged. Many speakers are not even aware they use those terms.
Regardless if the cause is due to nervous behavior or reinforced habit, filler words damage the reputation of a well-intended speaker and serve no purpose in professional situations.
Increasing your Awareness
1. Identify Your Personal Filler Words.
Is it a nervous behavior or reinforced habit? Create a list of your filler words and the situation when they are being used. Having awareness is 80% success.
Words/Phrases Situations
2. Keep a Tally
This is to improve your awareness of the behavior. If you are unaware of the frequency these words are used it will be difficult to end the habit. Keep scratch paper near by and each time you use any term not necessary for your message, add a tally mark. People are astounded at the amount of tally marks found on their paper. This is a good strategy for increasing your awareness so you can discontinue the behavior.
State your plan for keeping a tally.
3. Find Support
Elicit support from a trusted friend or colleague who can give you a signal or monitor every time you use a filler word. This is a good approach for learning how many times filler words are actually used.
These are people I can use for support:
Eliminating Verbal Filler Words
Real World Practice
Strategy Training
1. Rephrase It
When you catch yourself in error, repeat or paraphrase the statement without the filler word. This
will reinforce your awareness, which will make you one step closer to eliminating the habit.
2. Use Carrier Phrases
A. Try a carrier phrase to transition you toward your next thought. If you find yourself using the term "ummmm" frequently, use another word or phrase to transition you toward your true message such as: "well, actually or as a matter of fact".
*Vary your carrier phrases or you will have a new damaging verbal filler word!
B. Often filler words are used as an immediate response to a question or to confirm specific information. The words are used automatically as filler while thoughts are being organized. Plan carrier phrases to use in advance and practice it instead of using that old, "ya know".
Suggestions:
"Good question, Interesting point, To clarify, To confirm, As a follow up"
Plan a few personal carrier phrases to replace verbal viruses:
3. Predict Questions and Plan Your Responses in Advance
If you are going to speak on a topic or lead a meeting chances are you can predict a question someone may want to ask you. Predict 2-3 questions that people may want to ask and plan your response in advance that will allow your speech to flow and be free of verbal viruses. This activity will make you better prepared and automatically increase your confidence.
4. Intentional Pausing
When you feel the need to say "ummm" resist the urge to use a filler word and replace it with a silent pause. In addition, this strategy will allow you to control your rate of speech while allowing time to generate the real word or thought needed to clarify your point. It is a misconception that pausing will be noticeable by listeners and create awkward moments. Most filler words are caused by a fast rate of speech where words and thoughts are competing to come out. Adding a pause will improve your thought organization as well as rhythm and intonation.
5. Say It in your Head
If resisting the urge to say, "ummm" is too great go ahead and say it! However, say it in your
head silently the verbally continue with your message. This is a win-win solution because you can use your verbal virus freely but your listener will never hear it.
Liz Peterson
22344 E.Kenyon Place
Aurora, Colorado 80018
Phone: 303-330-3309
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