Is, uh, better than, um,
Is, uh, better than, um,

in today's episode of the little shot we're raising our hands up in
in today's episode of the little shot we're raising our hands up in

defeat of filler words for a moment to consider,
defeat of filler words for a moment to consider,

if you do need to use a filler sound,
if you do need to use a filler sound,

is there a better option between, um, or, ah,
is there a better option between, um, or, ah,

my name is Sarah Lobegeiger de Rodriguez.
my name is Sarah Lobegeiger de Rodriguez.

I'm a speech pathologist and opera singer who loves delving weekly into the
I'm a speech pathologist and opera singer who loves delving weekly into the

nitty gritty features of powerful and engaging
nitty gritty features of powerful and engaging

communication. Welcome to this episode of The Little Shots™.
communication. Welcome to this episode of The Little Shots™.

Now we've talked about filler words a lot on this channel in the past,
Now we've talked about filler words a lot on this channel in the past,

I've linked some background videos for you below, and I'm sure you know,
I've linked some background videos for you below, and I'm sure you know,

that fillers are dirty words when it comes to communicating with impact,
that fillers are dirty words when it comes to communicating with impact,

but just like junk food, there are times when you really need to use them.
but just like junk food, there are times when you really need to use them.

You know, I can't always avoid a packet of chips. The craving is real,
You know, I can't always avoid a packet of chips. The craving is real,

but when I choose my chips,
but when I choose my chips,

I will always quickly scan the ingredients to see which is worse for me and
I will always quickly scan the ingredients to see which is worse for me and

definitely avoid the pack with the Palm oil and all the other nasty additives.
definitely avoid the pack with the Palm oil and all the other nasty additives.

So is there a Palm oil / MSG of the
So is there a Palm oil / MSG of the

fillers that you should stay clear of as best as possible?
fillers that you should stay clear of as best as possible?

Yes. There is one research
Yes. There is one research

I looked into the functional difference between using the sound "ah" as a filler
I looked into the functional difference between using the sound "ah" as a filler

and applying the sound, "um",
and applying the sound, "um",

as a filler and it found that both sounds have a totally different role in your
as a filler and it found that both sounds have a totally different role in your

message structure.
message structure.

What do we know about each sound? Let's first talk about, "um",
What do we know about each sound? Let's first talk about, "um",

"Um", is used more by younger speakers,
"Um", is used more by younger speakers,

female speakers in particular also use "um" more,
female speakers in particular also use "um" more,

the more you age, the less likely you might be to use" Um",
the more you age, the less likely you might be to use" Um",

and this one, "um",
and this one, "um",

tends to be the default choice across a large variety of topics.
tends to be the default choice across a large variety of topics.

Speakers when at a loss for words will usually pull it out.
Speakers when at a loss for words will usually pull it out.

It's like your favorite flavor of chips.
It's like your favorite flavor of chips.

The one you always reach for when in doubt! Usually "um",
The one you always reach for when in doubt! Usually "um",

comes before a longer delay in word retrieval.
comes before a longer delay in word retrieval.

You usually use it when you're about to head into a more difficult topic.
You usually use it when you're about to head into a more difficult topic.

And what about "Ah?" Well, it becomes more common
And what about "Ah?" Well, it becomes more common

the older you are,
the older you are,

and it tends to be used more by males. And for both? Well,
and it tends to be used more by males. And for both? Well,

look, the older we get, the more we use fillers. So,
look, the older we get, the more we use fillers. So,

which is best to use? Well, according to one researcher,
which is best to use? Well, according to one researcher,

you should go for a short "um" and try to keep it super short,
you should go for a short "um" and try to keep it super short,

no longer than about 40 milliseconds long.
no longer than about 40 milliseconds long.

Apparently the nasal sound in "um",
Apparently the nasal sound in "um",

(you can feel it, your nose buzzes) makes the filler stand out less.
(you can feel it, your nose buzzes) makes the filler stand out less.

And the shorter it is the better. This study looked at how well
And the shorter it is the better. This study looked at how well

listeners could count fillers when they occurred in a speech and found that most
listeners could count fillers when they occurred in a speech and found that most

people don't notice the short "um" as much as they would with a long, "um",
people don't notice the short "um" as much as they would with a long, "um",

or a long "ah", sound. So there you have it!
or a long "ah", sound. So there you have it!

I found this research so interesting,
I found this research so interesting,

and now I'm wondering whether I should dump my preferred "ah" sound for a short "um,"
and now I'm wondering whether I should dump my preferred "ah" sound for a short "um,"

or wherever, keeping "ah" as a female,
or wherever, keeping "ah" as a female,

since it's more used by males, will give me a higher vocal dominant score?
since it's more used by males, will give me a higher vocal dominant score?

Lots of things to think about, but over to you,
Lots of things to think about, but over to you,

Do you know which filler you use the most?
Do you know which filler you use the most?

Why not find out? I've linked a blog post to this little shot episode where you
Why not find out? I've linked a blog post to this little shot episode where you

can pick up a filler workbook.
can pick up a filler workbook.

The activities in this workbook will help you identify what your main fillers
The activities in this workbook will help you identify what your main fillers

are and give you a few ideas for reducing them.
are and give you a few ideas for reducing them.

I hope that you found this Little Shot as fascinating as I did preparing it
I hope that you found this Little Shot as fascinating as I did preparing it

today. If you liked it, don't forget to give it a thumbs up.
today. If you liked it, don't forget to give it a thumbs up.

Thanks so much for watching and I'll see you next time. Ciao for now.
Thanks so much for watching and I'll see you next time. Ciao for now.