Avoiding Vocalized Pauses
Like, Eliminating "Uh's," "Um's," and Other Vocal Fillers
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Do you think you use the non-words "uh" and "um" too much in your speech? Chances are you don't.
These two words, with "like," "okay," "right," and even "so"--are examples of what communication experts call vocal fillers
or vocalized pauses. Whatever you call them, they can be as annoying for speakers as for listeners.
But vocal fillers are hardly the biggest problem you'll face as a presenter. And anyway, the perception of the problem is
usually worse than the reality. We tend to focus on these minor verbal tics the way we worry about physical traits we
possess that the audience couldn't care less about. In other words, we give vocal fillers greater importance than they
usually deserve.
The other danger with vocalized pauses is that somewhere along the line, someone mentioned that we say "uh" too much. A
boss, perhaps, or that English teacher back in our sophomore year of high school. And from that moment on, every time we
give a speech, we hear ourselves say "Uh" for what seems like a thousand times, as everything else we're saying or doing
in the speech disappears in our mind without a trace.
Believe me, except in extreme cases, the non-words "uh" and "um" are not what your audience is focusing on! They're
listening to whether you're saying something of interest and importance to them, and judging whether the time they're
spending attending this presentation is worth it. So, getting your critical message across is what you should be focusing on-not the occasional way you fill a moment of silence.
But if you're a speaker who really does populate your speech with intrusive fillers, here are three ways you can find relief:
(1) Discover the beauty of the pause. Pauses in public speeches are lovely things. Used sparingly and wisely, they are
powerful vocal tools that allow listeners to reflect on the important point you just made. They also aid speeches by helping
to vary the pace. A presentation without pauses is like a 100-car freight train going by at a railroad crossing: it's endless
and boring. Listeners need a mental rest now and then. Pauses accomplish that.
Speakers who pause also sound confident, since they're obviously not rushing to get the whole painful ordeal over with.
Even better, pauses in a lengthy presentation are as refreshing as a sip of cool water on a sweltering day.
(2) Work with a tape recorder or video camera. With any unproductive habit, the critical step is becoming aware of the
problem in the first place. So you may want to find out whether your vocal filler habit is as pronounced as you think it is.
But if in fact complete strangers walking behind you on the street are tapping you on the shoulder to say, "You know, you
say "uh" an awful lot when you speak," then practice using a tape recorder and listening to yourself. If a tape recorder is
scarce around your house, use your video camera pointed away from you (you'll want to focus exclusively on your voice,
and not how devastatingly good-looking you are).
At this stage of your efforts at improvement, you'll hear practically nothing but your vocalized pauses. But give it time, and
remember that it's not as bad as it sounds--you're only super-focused on the issue at the moment. Gradually, you'll improve.
It's not a quick-fix, but there really is no fast solution to this ingrained vocal practice.
(3) Enlist the help of a friend. Have a practice session in which a friend or colleague helps you with the problem. The
person should listen to you speak while giving an auditory cue each time you use your favorite vocal filler--tapping on the
table, ringing a small bell, that sort of thing.
Each time you hear the cue you must stop and start that sentence over. Personally, I would try the first two options before
undertaking this one, because you might find it too frustrating.
GARY GENARD is an internationally known speech coach and corporate trainer. A former professional actor, he is the founder
of Boston-based Public Speaking International. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3886045