6 ms·

The table in the article considers "eh" (like in Spanish) and "a" (like in Russian) as equivalent to huh in a given language.

tasogare 6y ago
Then clearly "huh" doesn’t exist in all languages, proving GP point.
- deadwing0 6y ago
  Per the linked article in OP: >They recorded bits of informal conversation from 31 dialects across 5 continents and suggested that the word ‘huh’ (and its variants) is possibly a universal repair initiator that exists in all languages, performs the same function and sounds roughly the same across languages. It is apparent that they were aware that it isn't pronounced the same in all languages (because of course it isn't), but that it's a possible universal repair initiator that sounds similar. The title of the article is linkbait, I agree, but the article explains better.
  - stingraycharles 6y ago
    But isn’t this the case for more than just “huh” ? For example, expressing pain (eg “ouch”) exists in all languages as well, although they all have to be translated as well.
    - pcl 6y ago
      Yes, and the article addresses this. It says that pain sounds are closer to grunts on the word-grunt spectrum, and they argue that “huh” is more word-like ok that spectrum.
    - rat9988 6y ago
      >expressing pain (eg “ouch”) exists in all languages as well I'm pretty sure it's not.
fcvarela 6y ago
This is like saying 'yes' exists in all languages because there's an equivalent in every language... It's... a bit clikbaity
- cgsullivan 6y ago
  Irish doesn't have words for "yes" and "no" -- answers must echo the verb: "Are you okay?" "Am." "Did you tell him to come over?" "Didn't tell."
  - DonaldFisk 6y ago
    Unsurprisingly, it's similar in Scottish Gaelic and Welsh. Mandarin and Cantonese (and probably other Sinitic languages) don't either, with much the same arrangement as the Celtic languages.
    - AnotherGoodName 6y ago
      No Shi? I had no idea about Mandarin.
      - lopmotr 6y ago
        Shi means "is", not "yes" in Mandarin.
        singularity2001 6y ago
        who sais yes isn't a contraction of i'is
        r0rshrk 6y ago
        Surprisingly, this is partially true. It's a contraction but an older one. https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/yes https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/yes
      - 6y ago

tasogare 6y ago

Then clearly "huh" doesn’t exist in all languages, proving GP point.

deadwing0 6y ago
Per the linked article in OP: >They recorded bits of informal conversation from 31 dialects across 5 continents and suggested that the word ‘huh’ (and its variants) is possibly a universal repair initiator that exists in all languages, performs the same function and sounds roughly the same across languages. It is apparent that they were aware that it isn't pronounced the same in all languages (because of course it isn't), but that it's a possible universal repair initiator that sounds similar. The title of the article is linkbait, I agree, but the article explains better.
- stingraycharles 6y ago
  But isn’t this the case for more than just “huh” ? For example, expressing pain (eg “ouch”) exists in all languages as well, although they all have to be translated as well.
  - pcl 6y ago
    Yes, and the article addresses this. It says that pain sounds are closer to grunts on the word-grunt spectrum, and they argue that “huh” is more word-like ok that spectrum.
  - rat9988 6y ago
    >expressing pain (eg “ouch”) exists in all languages as well I'm pretty sure it's not.

fcvarela 6y ago

This is like saying 'yes' exists in all languages because there's an equivalent in every language... It's... a bit clikbaity

cgsullivan 6y ago
Irish doesn't have words for "yes" and "no" -- answers must echo the verb: "Are you okay?" "Am." "Did you tell him to come over?" "Didn't tell."
- DonaldFisk 6y ago
  Unsurprisingly, it's similar in Scottish Gaelic and Welsh. Mandarin and Cantonese (and probably other Sinitic languages) don't either, with much the same arrangement as the Celtic languages.
  - AnotherGoodName 6y ago
    No Shi? I had no idea about Mandarin.
    - lopmotr 6y ago
      Shi means "is", not "yes" in Mandarin.
      - singularity2001 6y ago
        who sais yes isn't a contraction of i'is
        r0rshrk 6y ago
        Surprisingly, this is partially true. It's a contraction but an older one. https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/yes https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/yes
    - 6y ago