Why do Japanese say "hmm" so much

[spidey07]

I've always wondered. Its like every other word is "hmm" and then they go off to the multiples "hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm...hmm, hmm"

Any clues?

Is it just a way of acknoledgement?

 

[radioouman]

The one I talk to always clears his throat like every other word.

 

[pontifex]

you watch too much tv

 

[RossMAN]

No one says "hmm" as much as Staples, no one.

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
No one says "hmm" as much as Staples, no one.

hmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM?!?!?!

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: pontifex
you watch too much tv

Umm, I'm talking real life here.

I hear it everyday.

 

[keeleysam]

Hmm?

 

[Howard]

I, hm, think you're, hm, wrong.

Meow.

EDIT: Is their English perfect? I think I know what you're talking about.

 

[cjchaps]

Indians do that also.

 

[daniel1113]

I am not sure... but now that you mention it, my Microeconomics professor does it all the time during lecture, and he is from China.

 

[zoiks]

hmm..hmm..hmm...hmm..ahh..ahh..ahhh.ahh.

 

[DAGTA]

Maybe it's comparible to how many people say 'um' all the time. Have you ever really focused on how often people say 'um'? It'll drive you crazy! Most of us have learned to simply tune it out and not hear 'um's. Maybe 'hmm' is the Japanese version of 'um'.

 

[uhohs]

NYAO NYAO NEKO NEKO SUGOI~~

FUUUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu~~~~!!!

 

[scorpmatt]

its like the French and huh?

 

[Looney]

I think it's a silent acknowledgement like 'yes'.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: mwtgg

Originally posted by: RossMAN
No one says "hmm" as much as Staples, no one.

hmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM?!?!?!

Sadly you're the only one who got that reference

Are you still hiding under my bed?

 

[computeerrgghh]

[yoda]Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.HMMMMMMMmMmmm [/yoda]

 

[BD231]

"um" and "whatnot" by americans is irritating as hell!

The east sider's certainly do pause a lot while talking, though it's not alway hmmmm. I hear chuckle's or open mouthed AAHHHHHHHH's always followed by sentance frgments.

Overall they get their point accross and that's what counts. Old habbits die hard. I'd imagine their original language is the cause, much like latino's flipping actions and item's assbackwards.

 

[Perknose]

Piston engine goes boing boing boing

While the Mazda goes hmmmmmmmmmmm!

 

[wchou]

oh?

 

[NiKeFiDO]

Originally posted by: radioouman
The one I talk to always clears his throat like every other word.

i've witnessed that a lot. idk about the "hmm" though

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: pontifex
you watch too much tv

Umm, I'm talking real life here.

I hear it everyday.

Try counting the "umms" "uhhs" and "ahhs" for someone (native english speaker) giving a speech.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: pontifex
you watch too much tv

Umm, I'm talking real life here.

I hear it everyday.

Try counting the "umms" "uhhs" and "ahhs" for someone (native english speaker) giving a speech.

I understand that.

But I'm talking about groups where they all just "ah...hmm...hmm...hmm.hmm.hmm...ah hmm" Litereally like 8-12 hmms in a row, all together. A big chorus of "hmms"

Or even one on one.

Really just curious of the cultural/language background

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: pontifex
you watch too much tv

Umm, I'm talking real life here.

I hear it everyday.

Try counting the "umms" "uhhs" and "ahhs" for someone (native english speaker) giving a speech.

my S.O. is a speech professor, she will bitch slap you for using any of those in an actual "speech".

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Train
my S.O. is a speech professor, she will bitch slap you for using any of those in an actual "speech".

If she's really good looking, I'm willing to, ummmmm, let her, uhhhhhhhh, chastise me.