[nothing really]

I used to think that excessive use of filler words was a reflection of the speaker's intellect, but I know this person who is highly educated and apparently intelligent who uses a lot of filler words, usually more than one and in quick succession, at the beginning of almost every sentence and occasionally mid-sentence.

For example, this person begins a sentence using all filler these words, one after the other: "yeah. so. I guess. um. I mean. I guess that..." and then finishes the sentence coherently. Another thing I noticed which might not necessarily be related is the fact that this person often starts a sentence one way, says a word or two, stops, and then starts the sentence again in a different manner, with different words. This can sometimes happen two or three times while attempting to begin a sentence. And yet another thing I noticed is that this person sometimes makes observations using a soft and quiet voice and then, almost without pause, makes a fast and well pitched sentence unrelated to the previous observation.

These quirks, by the way, are not awkward, they are somewhat graceful, but they are persistent patterns that I've observed and wonder if they reveal anything about that person's emotional state and mental health. Does anyone have any ideas?

[bmx35]

It could be that the person is actually speaking while in the process of collecting his/ her thoughts...so there is hesitancy at first and becomes more spontaneous as the ideas come. I think the person is actually trying to be careful with his/her words which prevents impulsive and careless statements.

[IceCreamKid]

Originally Posted by nothing really

I used to think that excessive use of filler words was a reflection of the speaker's intellect, but I know this person who is highly educated and apparently intelligent who uses a lot of filler words, usually more than one and in quick succession, at the beginning of almost every sentence and occasionally mid-sentence.

For example, this person begins a sentence using all filler these words, one after the other: "yeah. so. I guess. um. I mean. I guess that..." and then finishes the sentence coherently. Another thing I noticed which might not necessarily be related is the fact that this person often starts a sentence one way, says a word or two, stops, and then starts the sentence again in a different manner, with different words. This can sometimes happen two or three times while attempting to begin a sentence. And yet another thing I noticed is that this person sometimes makes observations using a soft and quiet voice and then, almost without pause, makes a fast and well pitched sentence unrelated to the previous observation.

These quirks, by the way, are not awkward, they are somewhat graceful, but they are persistent patterns that I've observed and wonder if they reveal anything about that person's emotional state and mental health. Does anyone have any ideas?

I'm a believer in the idea that we are what we communicate; that our words, oral, signed, written or withheld spring up out of our thoughts and emotions. Do you know this person well enough to state your observation and ask him or her if she is aware of the way that comes across? I find many people are very forthcoming if they are only asked, and you can always preface it with "please don't share more than you are comfortable with..."

[Omers]

2 thoughts...
1. some times it can be a sign of insecurity
2. when my T does it I know that she is really in the moment, experiencing things with me and "forgot" to take a step back into "her" and compose her thoughts before speaking. If she catches herself she will stop, sit back, close her eyes and pull the thoughts together then move on coherently. She has a PhD, is a professor and I would guess her IQ to be in the 160+ range.

[Perna]

I think it means the person is anxious or unpracticed at speaking. A lot of people don't listen to themselves or think about what they're saying, are busy in their heads rather than in the moment/conversation. You can't text while driving!

[lizardlady]

I can't speak for the person you're talking about, but will speak for myself. I'm a reasonably articulate, intelligent person and there are times I stumble when I'm talking. Some times it's what others mentioned. It's like a verbal placeholder while I'm sorting out my thoughts.
I also have a medical condition that some times effects my ability to find words. I will verbally start and stumble while trying to find the word or concepts I'm trying to express.

A final thought... I work with adolecsents. There is a trend in the kids I work with to start every sentence with "like", "er", "so" etc. IMO it's a generational thing.

[nothing really]

lizardlady, are you referring to depression?

[lonegael]

I go through periods when it is harder for me to formulate my thoughts than others. Why? don't know. I suspect it might be a form of stuttering, but then again it might not. My dad does a lot of what you say, and I do know that he used to stutter. He is a very intelligent man, but he pauses in strange places when he speaks and sometimes seems to lose himself in the middle of sentences just to start up again. He's always done this. I heard also that people who have some forms of dyslexia do this, even if it doesn't show up in their writing or reading. Speech is a very complicated skill, and all sorts of things can happen with it.

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by nothing really

lizardlady, are you referring to depression?

Nothing really, I wasn't referring to depression though it can cause communication problems. I have fibromylagia (sp?) which causes memory problems called fibro fog. It leads to me struggling to find the words I want to use.

One can only speculate.

[madisgram]

since my strokes i have trouble knowing where i was going... but don' think this is the case with your friend. sounds like she may be gathering her thoughts while speaking, then does a u-turn. it's probably distracting tho for the person listening.

[yellowted]

sounds like her mouth goes into action before her brain has a chance to formulate a sentance, so the auto pilot kicks in with filler words until the brain catches up!
it could also be a sign that they do not really know what to say e.g. i asked the senior pdoc a question about my dx, he looked at me and after a few minutes said well, ermmm, ummmm it errrm ummmm is ermmm ummmm at which point i jumped in and asked if he actually knew anything about my dx! his reply was well ermmm not really! so i ended the meeting there and then until he or a collegue had the answers i needed!
so although a person is highly qualified or intellectual there may well be situations they know nothing about even within their field of expertese. some intellects are on such a level that they lose the ability to communicate effectively with the lay person any longer, as though plain simple English becomes almost like speaking a foreign language for them!

[sabby]

There could be many reasons why this is happening to an intelligent individual. Like many have stated, they may be still formulating what they want to say and how they want to say it while using the filler words. I too will say something and realize that it doesn't sound like what I meant so I will reword it.

Like lizardlady, I also have fibromyalgia and I get stuck on words so badly and it's soooooo maddening. I don't consider myself a dumb person, but I too will use filler words (sometimes swear words when I'm frustrated at not getting the word I want LOL) and I can imagine it can be frustrating to the folks I'm talking to.

[ladyjrnlist]

A lot of people don't even realize they do it. They use the words to fill spaces or to gather their thoughts before they continue.