Filled Pause and Wrong Initial

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 97 views

Introduction

In the world of entertainment, interviews are a crucial aspect of a celebrity's career. They provide an opportunity for the public to get to know the person behind the fame, and for the celebrity to promote their work. However, even the most experienced celebrities can make mistakes during an interview. In this article, we will analyze the speech errors made by Taylor Swift during her interview on The Ellen Show, and explore the psycholinguistic factors that contribute to these errors.

Methodology

The data for this study was collected from a 18-minute 45-second interview of Taylor Swift on The Ellen Show. The interview was transcribed and analyzed using a qualitative approach. The analysis was based on Clark and Clark's theory of speech errors, which identifies nine types of errors: silent pause, repetition and correction, exciting word, tongue slip, filled pause and wrong initial, the wrong start (not multilevel), stuttering, and others.

Types of Speech Errors

The analysis revealed a total of 60 speech errors made by Taylor Swift during the interview. The frequency of each error type is as follows:

Silent Pause (12 errors or 20%): This type of error occurs when the speaker requires time to think or respond, often due to cognitive challenges.
Repetition and Correction (11 errors or 18.33%): This type of error occurs when the speaker repeats a word or phrase and then corrects it.
Exciting Word (9 errors or 15%): This type of error occurs when the speaker uses an incorrect word or phrase.
Tongue Slip (5 errors or 8.34%): This type of error occurs when the speaker's tongue slips and they say a word or phrase incorrectly.
Filled Pause and Wrong Initial (4 errors or 6.67%): This type of error occurs when the speaker uses a filled pause (such as "um" or "ah") and then starts a sentence with the wrong word.
The Wrong Start (not Multilevel) and Stuttering (2 errors or 3.33%): This type of error occurs when the speaker starts a sentence with the wrong word or phrase, or when they stutter.

Most Common Type of Error

The most common type of error made by Taylor Swift during the interview was a silent pause. This type of error often occurs when the speaker requires time to think or respond, which can be due to cognitive challenges or social factors such as anxiety or nervousness.

Causes of Speech Errors

The causes of speech errors can be categorized into two: cognitive difficulties and social factors. Cognitive difficulties include challenges in organizing thoughts and conveying information effectively. Social factors such as anxiety, nervousness, and social situations can also interfere with the concentration of the speaker, causing errors in delivery.

Psychological Dynamics

This analysis provides deeper insight into how a stressed situation can affect the way a person speaks. Even experienced celebrities like Taylor Swift can make mistakes during an interview due to human factors that can interfere with the smooth running of speech.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has shown that speech errors are common phenomena that can occur to anyone, including celebrities, when they are faced with tense situations. The analysis of Taylor Swift's speech errors during her interview on The Ellen Show has provided valuable insights into the psycholinguistic factors that contribute to these errors. By understanding these factors, we can be more empathized with the conditions that lead to speech errors, and develop strategies to improve oral communication.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations can be made:

Practice and Preparation: Celebrities and public speakers should practice and prepare thoroughly before an interview or public speaking engagement.
Cognitive Training: Celebrities and public speakers can benefit from cognitive training to improve their ability to organize thoughts and convey information effectively.
Social Skills Training: Celebrities and public speakers can benefit from social skills training to improve their ability to manage anxiety and nervousness in social situations.
Empathy and Understanding: We should be more empathized with the conditions that lead to speech errors, and develop strategies to improve oral communication.

Limitations

This study has several limitations. The data was collected from a single interview, and the analysis was based on a qualitative approach. Future studies can use a larger sample size and a more quantitative approach to provide more generalizable findings.

Future Research Directions

Future research can explore the following directions:

Longitudinal Study: A longitudinal study can be conducted to examine the development of speech errors over time.
Comparative Study: A comparative study can be conducted to examine the speech errors made by different celebrities or public speakers.
Experimental Study: An experimental study can be conducted to examine the effect of cognitive training and social skills training on speech errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are speech errors? A: Speech errors are mistakes made by a speaker while communicating, such as using the wrong word, phrase, or tone.

Q: What types of speech errors did Taylor Swift make during the interview? A: Taylor Swift made a total of 60 speech errors during the interview, including silent pause, repetition and correction, exciting word, tongue slip, filled pause and wrong initial, the wrong start (not multilevel), and stuttering.

Q: What is the most common type of speech error? A: The most common type of speech error made by Taylor Swift during the interview was a silent pause, which occurred 12 times (20% of the total errors).

Q: What are the causes of speech errors? A: The causes of speech errors can be categorized into two: cognitive difficulties and social factors. Cognitive difficulties include challenges in organizing thoughts and conveying information effectively, while social factors such as anxiety, nervousness, and social situations can also interfere with the concentration of the speaker.

Q: Can anyone make speech errors? A: Yes, anyone can make speech errors, regardless of their experience or expertise. Speech errors are a common phenomenon that can occur to anyone in a stressful or high-pressure situation.

Q: How can we reduce the frequency of speech errors? A: To reduce the frequency of speech errors, it is essential to practice and prepare thoroughly before an interview or public speaking engagement. Cognitive training and social skills training can also help improve oral communication and reduce the likelihood of speech errors.

Q: What can we learn from Taylor Swift's speech errors? A: Taylor Swift's speech errors provide valuable insights into the psycholinguistic factors that contribute to speech errors. By understanding these factors, we can develop strategies to improve oral communication and reduce the frequency of speech errors.

Q: Can speech errors be a sign of a larger issue? A: Yes, speech errors can be a sign of a larger issue, such as anxiety, nervousness, or cognitive difficulties. If you or someone you know is experiencing frequent speech errors, it may be worth exploring the underlying causes and seeking support.

Q: How can we be more empathized with people who make speech errors? A: To be more empathized with people who make speech errors, we need to understand that speech errors are a common phenomenon that can occur to anyone. We should focus on the message being conveyed rather than the mistakes being made, and provide support and encouragement to help the speaker improve their communication skills.

Q: What are some strategies for improving oral communication? A: Some strategies for improving oral communication include:

Practicing and preparing thoroughly before an interview or public speaking engagement
Using cognitive training and social skills training to improve cognitive abilities and social skills
Focusing on the message being conveyed rather than the mistakes being made
Providing support and encouragement to help the speaker improve their communication skills
Being more empathized with people who make speech errors

By understanding the causes and consequences of speech errors, we can develop strategies to improve oral communication and reduce the frequency of speech errors.