# **The Concealed Influence of Interjections: How “Um,” “Wow,” and “Mm-hmm” Direct Conversations**
When we consider language, our attention often gravitates toward the words that communicate meaning—nouns, verbs, adjectives, and so forth. Yet, if you tune in closely to a spoken exchange, you’ll discern an unexpected array of minor, seemingly trivial sounds: *mm-hmm*, *um*, *huh?*, *oh*, and *wow*. These interjections, frequently brushed off as verbal noise, actually hold significant importance in communication.
For a long time, linguists dismissed these tiny utterances, viewing them as mere filler or indicators of hesitation. Nonetheless, recent studies indicate that interjections are crucial for managing interactions, fostering mutual comprehension, and even influencing how we think and connect. Indeed, they might represent one of the most difficult elements of language for artificial intelligence to fully grasp.
## **Interjections: Beyond Mere Sound**
Interjections are brief, standalone expressions that do not fit into a larger sentence structure. They encompass words such as *huh?*, *mm-hmm*, *oh*, and *wow*. Although they might not directly add to the substance of a conversation, they act as essential instruments for organizing dialogue.
According to linguist Mark Dingemanse from Radboud University in the Netherlands, interjections operate like “traffic signals” in conversation. They aid speakers and listeners in coordinating their exchanges, clarifying confusions, and indicating involvement. “Here is a phenomenon right under our noses, that we scarcely paid attention to,” Dingemanse illustrates, “that turns out to challenge our notions of what enables complex language in the first place.”
## **The Function of Interjections in Dialogue**
Interjections fulfill several vital roles in spoken communication:
### **1. Managing the Conversation Flow**
One of the main functions of interjections is to oversee turn-taking in dialogues. For instance:
– *Um* and *uh* denote that a speaker is pausing but has not completed their thought.
– *Huh?* or *what?* signal that a listener requires clarification.
– *Mm-hmm* acts as a “continuer,” indicating the listener is engaged and the speaker can proceed.
These little words help maintain the fluidity of conversations, averting interruptions or uncomfortable lulls.
### **2. Universality Across Languages**
Dingemanse and his research team investigated 31 languages and discovered that all featured a short, neutral sound akin to *huh?* used as a repair signal. This indicates that interjections are not arbitrary but rather a universal aspect of human language. “In those challenging moments, you will need the simplest question word available, which is what *huh?* provides,” remarks Dingemanse.
### **3. Amplifying Storytelling and Engagement**
Interjections significantly contribute to the art of storytelling. In a notable experiment, researchers found that when listeners neglected to provide feedback (like *mm-hmm* or *yeah*), the storytelling quality suffered. Speakers became increasingly disorganized, featuring abrupt conclusions and superfluous details. This underscores how much we depend on these small cues to shape our discourse.
### **4. Clarifying Meaning and Comprehension**
Interjections assist speakers and listeners in establishing shared understanding. For example:
– *Wow!* expresses surprise and encourages further elaboration from the speaker.
– *Uh-huh* indicates comprehension on the listener’s part without needing additional detail.
– *Well* may signal that the speaker is about to present an indirect or unexpected reply.
Linguist Martina Wiltschko highlights that some languages, such as Mandarin, explicitly differentiate between “I’m conveying something you didn’t know” and “I’m sharing something you likely already knew.” In English, this distinction is often expressed through interjections.
## **Interjections and Artificial Intelligence**
A significant hurdle for artificial intelligence (AI) in the realm of natural language processing is mastering the application of interjections. While AI can produce grammatically sound sentences, it frequently falters in using *um*, *uh*, *mm-hmm*, and comparable expressions naturally. This results in AI-generated communication that sounds mechanical and unnatural.
Wiltschko suggests that interjections ought to be included in language education, as they are vital for achieving fluency. “In language instruction, points are subtracted for using *um*s and *uh*s because you’re ‘not fluent,’” she explains. “Yet native speakers employ them because they are helpful! They should be included in teaching.”
## **The Social and Psychological Implications of Interjections**
Interjections also disclose subtle dimensions of interpersonal dynamics. For example:
– The manner in which partners utilize *oh* in a discussion can reveal confrontation or sarcasm. Compare “Do you want to go out for dinner?” with “Oh, so now you want to go out for dinner?”
– Therapists may analyze interjections to gain insight into power dynamics within relationships.
