I am not a native speaker, so I wonder if using "um-hum" to express my sincere affirmation during a conversation would backfire? I guess I just wanted to avoid monotonic reaction to people's talking. I believe my tone was not in any sense sarcastic. I just wonder if it could be the case that this action is considered negative.
Learn English – Would it be considered impolite to use um-hum in a conversation
interjectionsphrase-meaningpoliteness
Best Answer
The simple answer is to observe that in all languages, this sort of sound that we make to show we are listening are very common. They are produced subconsciously, and as such are very hard for a learner to get "right". Indeed the "Ah so" of Japanese or the French nasal "hon hon" (for example) stereotype the sound of the accent, perhaps because people with practised English accents will still make these kinds of sounds when speaking.
It may be that making a conscious effort to say "ummhmm" when speaking will also sound odd, or even sarcastic. It is very hard to judge when using text.
Here I am reminded of the relationship advice book Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars which recommends (to men) that when women want to talk over the problems of their day that men should, instead of trying to solve the problems, nod and say "uh-hr". At least one writer thinks that this is a good conversational technique, that (some) men should learn to use.