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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
