Interjectory Words, Vocal Fry etc

[Ukigumo]

In the U.K. the word 'like' is increasingly (and irritatingly) being used to interject thinking time for the young speakers. The sounds 'errr' and 'umm' were once used instead of 'like' but they're rarely heard these days. I know the Japanese use 'ano' for thinking time but are there any newer sounds trending?

Do the Japanese use vocal fry or have an equivalent?


Is the speech of young Japanese people becoming more impoverished as it is in young people in the U.K.? Do they order a coffee by saying the equivalent of "Can I get…" rather than the correct "May I have…"?

 

[thomas]

Great video!

Japanese filler words/phrases:

ええと
なんか
あの
あのね
あれ
まぁ
ええ
そうですね
あら or あらら or あらららら (depending on the gravity of the situation)

I'm sure there must be many more.

I have never noticed "vocal fry" in Japanese. What you do find in customer service are high-pitched voices. I wasn't sure what this phenomenon was called, so I asked ChatGPT:

The Japanese term for this phenomenon is 「声の高低（こえのこうてい）」 (koe no kōtei), which refers to variations in pitch. More specifically, the tendency to use a higher-pitched voice in certain social contexts—often associated with politeness, deference, or perceived cuteness—is sometimes called 「声のトーン」 (koe no tōn, "voice tone") or 「ぶりっ子声」 (burikko-goe, referring to an intentionally cute or childish voice). If you're referring to the deliberate use of a higher-pitched voice to sound more polite or endearing, the term 「作った声」 (tsukutta koe, "constructed/artificial voice") may also apply.

 

[mdchachi]

It's not just customer service and kids shows. This channel uses cutesy anime voices to discuss serious topics like stocks and economics.

 

[Ukigumo]

Great video!

Japanese filler words/phrases:

ええと
なんか
あの
あのね
あれ
まぁ
ええ
そうですね
あら or あらら or あらららら (depending on the gravity of the situation)

I'm sure there must be many more.

I have never noticed "vocal fry" in Japanese. What you do find in customer service are high-pitched voices. I wasn't sure what this phenomenon was called, so I asked ChatGPT:

These examples are a lot more pleasant than 'like'. But high-pitched voices as an affectation is worse than 'like'!

 

[Ukigumo]

I'm actually reading a book on the origins of 'Osu' that is often yelled, at every point possible, in some Karate and Brazilian Ju Jutsu. Now that is annoying and rather uncouth!