In spoken dialogue, hesitations such as 'um' or 'uh' are called what?

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Prepare for Delta Module 1 Exam with questions designed to test your knowledge. Use flashcards, multiple choice questions with hints, and explanations to get ready for success!

Multiple Choice

In spoken dialogue, hesitations such as 'um' or 'uh' are called what?

Explanation:
Filled pauses are the vocalized hesitations like “um” or “uh” that speakers insert to hold the floor while they think or plan what to say next. They signal a moment of thinking and time to organize the upcoming talk, rather than signaling discourse structure or attitude. This makes them the best description for those hesitation sounds. Discourse markers, appraisal language, and hedging serve different functions: discourse markers link or guide the conversation, appraisal language expresses attitude or evaluation, and hedging softens commitment. For example: “I was going to, um, pick up the receipts and then head home.”

Filled pauses are the vocalized hesitations like “um” or “uh” that speakers insert to hold the floor while they think or plan what to say next. They signal a moment of thinking and time to organize the upcoming talk, rather than signaling discourse structure or attitude. This makes them the best description for those hesitation sounds. Discourse markers, appraisal language, and hedging serve different functions: discourse markers link or guide the conversation, appraisal language expresses attitude or evaluation, and hedging softens commitment. For example: “I was going to, um, pick up the receipts and then head home.”

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