Cadence #53 - How do I stop saying Um?

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This week, I'm going to cover a lighter topic - and someting that I am guilty of but still like, um, trying to get better at, and, um, you know, improve.

SAYING UM ALOUD!

Have you ever found yourself weaving a tapestry of "um"s and "uh"s during conversations? You're not alone.

Tracing back to as early as 1469 with "hum" and encountering various iterations like "hem" (1526) and "er" (1862), these speech hesitations have a storied history.

However, "um" specifically lacked mention in ancient rhetoric, only gaining notoriety with the advent of voice recording. It's likely these utterances were historically dismissed as inconsequential sounds rather than words.

Interestingly, "um" and its equivalents are universally understood across languages, from French's "euh" to Korean's "eum," suggesting a critical linguistic function.

Contrary to popular belief, "um" isn't a marker of nervousness but rather a tool for signaling an upcoming pause. This linguistic placeholder affords speakers a moment to gather thoughts, select the right words, or navigate conversational repairs.

But here's the twist: while "um" may buy us time to think, relying on it too heavily, alongside other crutch words, can detract from the clarity and impact of our communication.

Whether it's "literally" overemphasizing the mundane or "like" sprinkled liberally for youthful zest, crutch words often dilute the strength of our messages.

Nevertheless, the quest to eliminate them entirely might be a bridge too far.

Guidance for Eliminating "Um" from Your Speech

Continuous practice is key, so remain diligent if you notice "um" slipping into your dialogue.

Prepare thoroughly. Familiarize yourself with your material completely. It's unnecessary to memorize your presentation word for word.

Practice aloud. Go through your presentation or notes by speaking them out loud.

Avoid filling pauses with sound. Instead, breathe deeply during these pauses, giving yourself a moment to consider your next words.

Plan your transitions. Filler sounds often emerge at the start of sentences or when presenting new ideas.

Outline your transitional statements in advance. Reduce your pace.

By speaking more slowly, you allow your thoughts and speech to align better. Record and review.

Identifying your own patterns of filler words like "um" can help you become more aware and avoid them in the future.