The World Of, Um, Filler Words

The World Of, Um, Filler Words

Author: Babbel USA December 15, 2020 Duration: 37:30

You've probably been told countless times to avoid "like," "um" and "uh" in your speech. But these words may serve more of a linguistic purpose than many of us realize. In this episode, we look at the science behind using these filler words in conversation to find out why they're actually, um, like, normal. And we take a look at how they appear in languages across the world.

Special thanks to James Douglas for taking the time to speak with us for this episode.

For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine: babbel.com/en/magazine/multilinguish-filler-words

Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting https://www.babbel.com/coupons/new and using the code MULTI.


Ever wondered why some words feel impossible to translate, or how a single accent can tell a story of migration and history? Multilinguish, from the team at Babbel USA, digs into the curious, human side of how we communicate. This isn't a language lesson, but a deep dive into the ways language shapes identity, culture, and our everyday lives. Each episode feels like a conversation with experts, linguists, and everyday polyglots, unpacking topics from the hidden rules of slang to the neuroscience behind learning a new tongue as an adult. You'll hear about the fascinating origins of common phrases, the social power of dialects, and why certain sounds exist in some languages but not others. The Multilinguish podcast is for anyone who's ever been intrigued by a foreign film's subtitle, puzzled by a regional idiom, or simply wants to understand the invisible threads of connection speech weaves between people. It's an educational journey that proves you don't need to be fluent in five languages to appreciate how profoundly they color our world. Tune in to find your own place in the vast, buzzing conversation.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 33

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