It is one of the most annoying words in the English language and it seems there is no escaping it. The word “huh?” is in worldwide use, a study found.
Researchers discovered that languages spoken in countries from Ghana and Laos to Iceland and Italy all include “huh?”, or something that sounds very like it. They said that while the study may sound silly, the word is an absolutely necessary part of speech. Without it and similar words, it would be impossible to show that we haven’t heard or understood what had been said and this would lead to constant misunderstandings.
But while other words used in the same context, such as “sorry” or “what”, vary widely across languages, “huh?” remains unchanged.
The Dutch researchers carefully studied ten languages from around the world, including Siwu, which is spoken in Ghana, and an Australian Aboriginal language, as well as Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Mandarin Chinese.
They analysed tapes of recorded conversations for words that sounded like “huh?” and were used to request that whatever had just been said be repeated. All contained a version of “huh?”. The word was also found in another 21 languages. While there were subtle differences in each country, all sounded basically the same.
This is surprising because normally unrelated languages will use very different words to describe the same thing. For instance, the Japanese for “dog” is “inu”, while the French is “chien”. It is thought that languages around the world have developed their own version of “huh?” because the sound is quick and simple to form, as well as being easily understood.
The researchers, said that it might seem unimportant to carry out scientific research into a word like “huh?” but in fact this little word is an essential tool in human communication. They also have an answer for those who claim that “huh?” isn’t a word. They say that it qualifies because of the small differences in its pronunciation in different languages. It also can be considered a word because it’s something we learn to say, rather than a grunt or cry that we are born knowing how to make.
小题1: According to researchers, the word “huh?” is very important in speech because of ________.
A．its stable meaning in language development
B．its important function in communication
C．its simple and easy sound and spelling
D．its popularity in every language小题2:What is the natural response if you hear the lady you’re speaking to say “huh?”?
A．You should ask her to repeat what she says before that.
B．You should apologize to her for speaking in a low voice.
C．You should invite her to share her different views politely.
D．You should try to repeat what you’ve just said in a clearer way.小题3:The main method used in the research of “huh?” was ________.
A．interviewing language experts in universities
B．talking with people from ten different countries
C．analyzing the recorded conversations in different languages
D．comparing different words with the same meaning in different languages小题4:According to researchers, “huh?” should be considered a word rather than a sound because ________.
A．it is listed in most dictionaries
B．it is something humans learn to say
C．there is a clear and consistent spelling of the word
D．there is a big difference in the way it pronounces in different languages小题5:What is the purpose of the passage?
A．To inform readers about research on the worldwide used word “huh?”.
B．To argue that “huh?” is the most important word in every language.
C．To entertain readers by relating similar idioms in different languages.
D．To instruct readers of the differences of “huh?” in different languages.
