And there it is again, that dreaded word "uh." Especially at the beginning of a speech, this or similar filler words sound rather uncertain and not exactly professional. Almost as if you haven't prepared your presentation sufficiently.

Lightly integrated hesitancy sounds like "uh," "um," or "so" can sometimes help listeners process what is being said more effectively. However, if sentences are peppered too often with these so-called crutches, they distract from the actual message. At the same time, the credibility of the content is diminished.

Some people can speak freely and without inhibition. But not every speaker is born with this talent. Instead, their pulse quickens and sweaty palms are a welcome bonus.

To prevent words from literally getting stuck in your throat, excellent preparation for your presentation can work wonders. Stage fright will disappear in no time, and the fear of failure will be significantly reduced.

Experts in behavioral science have taken the time to investigate the effects of filler words in more detail. How much does a disfluent speaking style impair the speaker, and how can filler words be avoided in a presentation?

What disadvantages can be expected when using filler words?

Speaking fluently is not as easy as one might think. Whether at school, in lecture halls, at office meetings, or during presentations in seminars, there is a lot of talking almost everywhere. The biggest challenge is captivating the audience with one's contribution.

Too many filler words in a presentation weaken the message intended for the audience. They can even lead to ambiguity and confusion. If the frequency of filler words in a presentation becomes excessive, it negatively impacts the overall speech.

• It will become more difficult to convey a clear and unambiguous message.

• Remarkable research findings or groundbreaking advances lose their significance and are almost completely lost in a presentation filled with filler words.

• The emotional component of the presentation is lost for the listeners.

• The audience becomes restless and switches off more quickly.

• Disinterest is increasing, and listeners are no longer willing to filter out the most important statements from the filler-word presentation.

• The speaker does not appear competent or authentic and is unable to captivate the audience.

• It lacks naturalness and ease.

• Listeners perceive the presenter as nervous, not focused, or in the worst case, even as aloof.

If those present mentally turn to simple cognitive tasks, such as their household to-do list, then the speech has been a complete flop. Fortunately, delays can also be turned into strengths. We'll show you how in the following paragraph.

Taking a break can be worthwhile.

We don't always talk non-stop. Researchers have found that pauses in conversations are very common. These pauses are categorized into three types: short, medium, and long. A short pause lasts 0.2 seconds, a medium pause 0.6 seconds, and a long pause exceeds one second.

Truly excellent speakers are able to remain silent for two to three seconds at a time. If necessary, even longer. However, not all moderators and speakers are comfortable with this. When you pause for a brief moment on stage, this silence can feel almost endless. Why is that?

There's a very simple explanation for this: We think faster than we speak. On average, an adult utters 150 words per minute. Other studies, such as one from the University of Missouri, show that people can even think up to 400 words per minute.

There's even talk of 1,500 words per minute. Conversely, this means that when a speech is given, the act feels distorted. To the speaker, it seems like an eternity. For the audience, however, it was only a few seconds.

Therefore, if you are able to place pauses skillfully, this aspect will have a very positive effect on your speech and your personality. If you feel uncertain for a brief moment, a short pause will help you gather your thoughts and find your train of thought again. The audience will also not perceive this minimal break as disruptive, unless the pause lasts more than five seconds.

Short pauses can also calm your nerves. Especially when your heart is pounding and delivering your speech smoothly is becoming an ordeal, subtly insert a small cliffhanger. Use the extra time to take a few deep breaths. This defensive tactic will help you regain your composure much more quickly.

Strategically placed digressions create interesting arcs of suspense. If you manage to explicitly highlight a point, you pique the audience's curiosity. At the same time, the listener needs a little time to let what has been said sink in. Perhaps your counterpart will even be able to absorb important insights more effectively as a result.

Let's summarize: pauses and a small number of filler words generally make the speaker appear in control. Too many of these, however, have the opposite effect. Instead, they give the impression that you don't really know what you're talking about.

How can sounds of embarrassment be avoided?

There are indeed ways to reduce the number of unwanted "uhs" and "ahs." The first step should be a thorough linguistic analysis. Which filler words are actually used, and how often? To get to the bottom of the matter more precisely, it would be helpful to record yourself speaking fluently, either as a video or as recordings of phone conversations.

The longer the conversation, the more input you can expect from this method. Friends, colleagues, or family can also be very helpful in tracking down slurred speech patterns. Incorporate small actions into this process. If you catch yourself saying "uh" again, tap your leg. Optionally, a friend or colleague can draw your attention to the habit by clapping their hands or snapping their fingers.

If you realize you're about to resort to filler words, be silent for a moment. The change won't happen immediately, but after a period of practice, you'll start to see results.

Another solution could be to use shorter sentences. Those who rely on complicated main and subordinate clauses are sometimes tempted by the chaotic structure to use filler words. Revise convoluted sentences and instead rely on short and concise statements. Speaking fluently becomes much easier with this method.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be said that filler words in small doses are perfectly acceptable. They not only give the speaker practical pauses for thought, but also help the audience digest what has been said more easily. However, if these filler words gain the upper hand and become a genuine habit, then you need to do something about it.

Too many hesitant and awkward sounds can be extremely irritating to the audience. The unnecessary introduction of linguistic filler words undoubtedly also leads to confusion. The speaker's use of these discourse particles makes them appear less confident. Filler words reduce the clarity of the content, and the audience takes the moderator less seriously. A video or audio recording will help you pinpoint these culprits.

Listen carefully to the recordings and analyze your own communication style and language. Ideally, rehearse your presentation, speech, or lecture beforehand in front of a small audience. Use short, clear sentences. An appropriate speaking pace can also make a world of difference. And if you do use filler words, use them effectively and sparingly.