The Interjection
Symbol | uh-huh mhm mm uh-uh
Definition | Expressions of surprise ('oh'), affirmation, negation and discourse particles (such as 'well,' 'anyway') are examples of interjections. Four of them utilized by speakers engaging in spontaneous speech will now be described in greater detail: two of them fall into the category "affirmation," and the other two belong to the category "negation." .
Affirmation | .
Symbol | uh-huh mhm
Definition | These two variations of the affirmation are used by speakers engaging in spontaneous speech to indicate agreement with, certainty about, or understanding of something that has just been said. In transcription, the two are treated in the same manner as a word and may serve as turns by themselves. They are written as they sound.
Negation | .
Symbol | mm uh-uh
Definition | These two sounds have the opposite meaning when utilized in speech as that of the affirmation. The 'mm' and 'uh-uh' are used to represent disagreement, and are virtually synonymous in meaning with the word 'no.' The sound 'mm' is produced nasally with the lips closed. It is a two-syllabic vocalization with a glottal stop in the middle, and is generally accompanied with a shake of the head carrying the meaning 'no.' The sound 'uh-uh' is also a two-syllabic vocalization produced at the back of the throat characterized by a vowel sound and glottal stop in the middle. It also carries the meaning 'no.' When transcribing, you must be careful not to confuse these negations with filled pauses. They are responses or reactions, NOT filled pauses.
Notes | There are two functions for 'hm:' the filled pause and the articulated 'hm.' The articulated version carries meaning, either as an inquiry, 'hm?' or as surprise.
Examples |
Affirmation |
uh-huh | 1. Speaker_1: channel number six is this microphone here ....Speaker_2: uh-huh . 2. Speaker_1: primary school , where this person went to grammar school . ....Speaker_2: uh-huh 3. uh-huh . <uh> once we hit the record button we just let it go , no matter what
mhm | 1. mhm .
| 2. mhm . his information on the web page is <uh> like a year out of date or something
Negation |
uh-uh | 1. uh-uh . 2. uh-uh . at least , I don't think so .
mm | 1. mm . 2. mm . I don't think he's going to like that .