Link words in English conversation October 13th

Linking words to help you time your english conversation
Hello everyone.
It has been some time since I made a podcast – but I have a little time today and I have made a short podcast for you.
Please leave me some feedback about my podcasts. It’s nice to receive it – as it’s not possible to know whether they are interesting or not. Anyway, I’ll leave it to you to decide. In any case thanks for listening.
In England, there are words we use that help us with keeping our thoughts on track during a conversation. They give us a little more time to decide what we want to say. When people learn English, these little words and phrases can also help to give more time to choose the right words and keep the conversation going.
Here’s an example. I’ll try to make this seem like a natural conversation as much as I can.
The first example is without the linking words:
Example 1 (I can say) " Hello David. How are you? I haven’t seen you for a while and it’s nice to see you. What are you doing these days? The last time we spoke you told me that you were working in a bank and that you were enjoying it – are you still working there?
Example 2 "Well hello David. So, how are you then? You know, I haven’t seen you for a while and it’s nice to see you you know.
So, what are you doing these days? Let me think… the last time we spoke you told me that, hmm, you were working in a bank – is that right? Well then, tell me…I think you said you were enjoying it – so,, are you still working there?
You can see that the second example uses the following extra words:
Well, So, then, Let me think, you know, hmm,is that right, well then, tell me
It could be said that these words aren’t really necessary - and example 1 would suggest this to be true. But in conversation, many words are often added or even taken away to make the conversation more informal, more friendly, simpler. Also, it gives the speaker more time to decide what to say and the listener more time to think how that want to answer and what they would like to say.
David says: "Hello there Alan, yes, well – I believe it was, hmmm, about 3 years ago wasn’t it? Yes, I think that we met up in a pub or something, yes, that’s it. You asked about my job, well, yes I’m still sort of enjoying it"
David could have said "Hello Alan, yes about 3 years ago? I think we met up in a pub or something. You asked about my job, well, yes I’m still enjoying it"
So David’s response uses these link words and phrases: there, yes, well, I believe it was, hmmm, wasn’t it, that’s it, well yes, sort of.
No this might seem to complicate the conversation – and for someone who isn’t used to English conversations – or doesn’t have a high level of English, it could seem to make listening more difficult. But this could actually make this easier – as it takes longer to say and gives you more time. It is also a good way to make things more friendly.
These extra link words and phrases are very popular in England and there are many more than those I’ve mentioned today.
So, have fun with link words – find as many as you can and try using them for conversational English!
Take care and see you next time