Methods, Finding, Discusssion, and Conclusion (Types and Functions of Fillers)

The function is to help the speaker to think about what s/he will say next (Matthei & Roeper, 1983, p.164, and Wu (2001, p.6).

 

Interrupting

The function is to help the speaker when s/he in conversation wants to utter different topic or start a new topic when the other speakers talk about some topics Jordan (2001, p.15).

Holding a Conversation Turn

The function is to help the speaker who does not want to give up his/her turn and instead wants a little extra time to think about what s/he is going to say next by using fillers to signal this (Juan, 2006, par.2).

Empathizing

The function is as an attention-getting device, which helps the speaker to check whether the listener pays attention or not and invite the listeners to get involved in what the speaker says (Stenstrm, 1994, p.64-65).

Mitigating

The function is to help the speaker to express that s/he is not committed to what s/he is saying and then to help the speaker to soften or mitigate utterances in order not to hurt the addressee's feelings (Baalen, 2001, par.6).

Editing the Term