2007-12-17 03:35:51 · 26 answers · asked by tweeone 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Habit. They don't even know they're saying it. I think some people say it to fill in the space between speaking...it's like people who say "uh" or "ummmm" between words. They want you to know they aren't done yet......there's more. It's just not organized in their head yet.
2007-12-17 03:42:54 · answer #1 · answered by artsy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
'You know' is one of MANY conversational fillers.
(The Canadian 'eh?' is another.)
While we're talking, we're forming out sentences as we go, choosing words and phrases, and arranging them on the fly. Thus, we pause to figure out the next batch.
To keep the floor, and sort of ritualistically check in that the other is following us and still listening, we pop in one of these filler expressions. That is, some people do this more than others; some not at all.
If you've ever read transcripts, you'll see how much junk there is in actual speech -- false starts, sentences that aren't quite right (start one way, end another, or just stop), filler, pauses.
2007-12-17 05:08:42 · answer #2 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's filler. A lot of people choose to speak at a rate that exceeds their ability to form sentences so things like "ummm", "like", and "ya know" end up appearing repeatedly so as to buy time to finish mapping their thoughts into words.
This is particularly prevalent in younger people with smaller vocabularies and limited interest in proper grammar.
2007-12-17 03:41:39 · answer #3 · answered by Steve A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure for some people it's a habit and they can't help it, but it's basically just reassurance that the person you're talking to is understanding/following what you're trying to say.
2007-12-17 03:39:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because it us an abbreviation of "do you know what I mean?" It is looking for reassurance and then becomes a habit - a nervous tic . My friend doews it when she cannot be bothers to finish a sentance nad thinks I will know anyway - I usually dont and have to say no
2007-12-17 04:00:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because they don't know how to speak well and "You know" fills in the empty space while they think of what they want to say next.
And to everyone who said it was a sign of developmental delays
(retarded) As the mother of a child with developmental delays I'm insulted. As much as saying "You know" denotes a lack of good speech saying that any thing you don't understand is retarted denotes lack of intellegence on your part.
2007-12-17 03:51:30 · answer #6 · answered by Kathryn R 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its a sign that either they don't know what they're talking about or they think you're so dumb they have to keep checking to make sure you're keeping up.
Heh, I don't know, I always thought it was funny at first when they did but it gets old really fast =/
2007-12-17 04:05:16 · answer #7 · answered by The Seal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
people ask that so they feel like the other person can relate to what their saying or at least understand what their trying to say
2007-12-17 03:39:45 · answer #8 · answered by cheeka2162 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OMG I have that problem and I realize it!!! Help me stop!! I try to not do it, but by the time I realize it when I'm talking, it's too late, I've already said it like a dozen times ya know... I'm serious about this! If you have advice, please share it!
2007-12-17 03:38:07 · answer #9 · answered by Luke Skywalker!!...ok not really 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Lack of a good education or a lack of its application.
2015-09-28 11:56:17 · answer #10 · answered by Mark 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋