Editing Paralanguage (section)

==Specific forms of paralinguistic respiration==

===Gasps===
{{Redirect|Gasp}}
A '''gasp''' is a kind of paralinguistic [[Respiration (physiology)|respiration]] in the form of a sudden and sharp [[inhalation]] of air through the [[mouth]]. A gasp may indicate difficulty breathing and a panicked effort to draw air into the lungs. Gasps also occur from an [[emotion]] of [[surprise (emotion)|surprise]], [[shock (emotion)|shock]] or [[disgust]]. Like a sigh, a [[yawn]], or a [[moan]], a gasp is often an automatic and unintentional act.<ref name="Broncher">Rachel Broncher, ''A labor of love: a complete guide to childbirth for the mind, body, and soul'' (2004), p. 145.</ref> Gasping is closely related to sighing, and the inhalation characterizing a gasp induced by shock or surprise may be released as a sigh if the event causing the initial emotional reaction is determined to be less shocking or surprising than the observer first believed.<ref>Fernando Poyatos, ''Paralanguage: a linguistic and interdisciplinary approach to interactive speech and sounds'' (1993), page 330.</ref>

As a symptom of physiological problems, [[apneustic respirations]] (a.k.a. apneusis), are gasps related to the brain damage associated with a stroke or other trauma.

===Sighs===
{{Redirect|Sigh}}
A '''sigh''' is a kind of paralinguistic respiration in the form of a deep and especially audible, single [[exhalation]] of air out of the mouth or nose, that humans use to communicate emotion. It is a voiced [[pharyngeal fricative]], sometimes associated with a guttural glottal breath exuded in a low tone.  It often arises from a [[negative affectivity|negative emotion]], such as dismay, dissatisfaction, boredom, or futility.<ref name="Broncher"/> A sigh can also arise from positive emotions such as [[Relief (emotion)|relief]],<ref>Paul Ekman, ''Emotions revealed: recognizing faces and feelings to improve communication'' (2007), p. 193.</ref> particularly in response to some negative situation ending or being avoided. Like a gasp, a [[yawn]], or a [[moan]], a sigh is often an automatic and unintentional act.<ref name="Broncher"/> 

Scientific studies show that babies sigh after 50 to 100 breaths. This serves to improve the mechanical properties of lung tissue, and it also helps babies to develop a regular breathing rhythm. Behaviors equivalent to sighing have also been observed in animals such as [[dog]]s, [[monkey]]s, and [[horse]]s.

In text messages and internet chat rooms, or in comic books, a sigh is usually represented with the word itself, 'sigh', possibly within [[asterisk]]s, *sigh*.

Sighing is also a reflex, governed by a few [[neuron]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-and-stanford-researchers-pinpoint-origin-of-sighing-reflex-in-the-brain|title=UCLA and Stanford researchers pinpoint origin of sighing reflex in the brain|last=Schmidt|first=Elaine|website=UCLA Newsroom|language=en|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref>

===Moans and groans===
{{redirect-multi|2|Moan|Groan}}
{{See also|Female copulatory vocalizations}}
Moaning and groaning both refer to an extended sound emanating from the throat, which is typically made by engaging in sexual activity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://time.com/5370374/sex-sounds-noises-faked-mara-altman-gross-anatomy/|title=What Our Sex Sounds Say About Us|first=Mara|last=Altman|publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=August 21, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-the-name-love/201904/why-we-moan-and-scream-during-sex|title=Why We Moan and Scream During Sex|first=Aaron|last=Ben-Zeév|publisher=[[Psychology Today]]|date=April 16, 2019}}</ref> Moans and groans are also noises traditionally associated with [[ghost]]s, and their supposed experience of suffering in the afterlife. Moans and groans are also used to indicate pain, and are sometimes used to indicate displeasure.

===Throat clearing===
[[Throat clearing]] is a metamessaging [[nonverbal]] form of [[communication]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nonverbal-dictionary.org/2013/01/throat-clear.html?m=1 |title=Throat-Clear |website=www.nonverbal-dictionary.org |access-date=2016-09-10 |archive-date=2016-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917141022/http://www.nonverbal-dictionary.org/2013/01/throat-clear.html?m=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref> used in announcing one's presence upon entering the room or approaching a group.  It is done by individuals who perceive themselves to be of higher rank than the group they are approaching and utilize the throat-clear as a form of communicating this perception to others.<ref>Question Authority: Think for Yourself, Estren & Potter, 2012:122.</ref> It can convey nonverbalized [[disapproval]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onomatopoeiaList.com/ahem/ |title=ahem – Onomatopoeia List |date=10 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dictionary.com/browse/verbal |title=the definition of verbal |website=Dictionary.com}}</ref>

In [[chimpanzee]] [[social hierarchy]], this utterance is a sign of rank, directed by [[alpha males]] and higher-ranking chimps to lower-ranking ones and signals a mild warning or a slight annoyance.<ref>Primatology, Delmar 1984:46.</ref>

As a form of [[metacommunication]], the throat-clear is acceptable only to signal that a formal business meeting is about to start.
It is not acceptable [[business etiquette]] to clear one's throat when approaching a group on an informal basis; 
the basis of one's authority has already been established and requires no further reiteration by this ancillary [[nonverbal communication]].<ref>Book of Etiquette and Manners, Chapter 3, by Nimeran Sahukar & Prem P. Bhalla.</ref>

===Mhm===

{{Wikt-lang|en|mhm|Mhm}} is between a literal language and movement, by making a noise "hmm" or "mhm", to make a pause for the conversation or as a chance to stop and think.

The "mhm" utterance is often used in narrative interviews, such as an interview with a disaster survivor or sexual violence victim. In this kind of interview, it is better for the interviewers or counselors not to intervene too much when an interviewee is talking. The "mhm" assures the interviewee that they are being heard and can continue their story. Observing emotional differences and taking care of an interviewee's mental status is an important way to find slight changes during conversation.<ref>The healing effect of storytelling, Gabriele Rosenthal 2003</ref>

===Huh?===
"Huh?", meaning "what?" (that is, used when an utterance by another is not fully heard or requires clarification), is an essentially universal expression, but may be a normal word (learned like other words) and not paralanguage.

''Huh'' is claimed to be a [[Psychological nativism|universal syllable]].<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last1=Dingemanse |first1=Marse |last2=Torreira |first2=Francisco |last3=Enfield |first3=N. J. |date=November 8, 2013 |title=Is 'Huh?' a Universal Word? Conversational Infrastructure and the Convergent Evolution of Linguistic Items |journal=PLOS ONE |publisher=PLOS |volume=8 |issue=11 |pages=<!--THIS JOURNAL DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE PAGE NUMBERS--> |bibcode=2013PLoSO...878273D |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0078273 |pmc=3832628 |pmid=24260108 |doi-access=free}}</ref> A 2013 study suggested that the word/syllable ''huh'' is perhaps the most recognized syllable throughout the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/11/-em-huh-em-means-the-same-thing-in-every-language/281359/ |url-access=subscription |title=Huh Means the Same Thing in Every Language |author=Olga Khazan |date=November 12, 2013 |work=The Atlantic |accessdate=December 29, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Schuessler |first1=Jennifer |date=November 9, 2013 |title=The Syllable that Everyone Understands |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/09/arts/that-syllable-everyone-recognizes.html?smid=pl-share |accessdate=November 9, 2013 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> It is an [[interrogative]] which crosses geography, language, cultures and nationalities.<ref name=":0" />{{better source needed|date=December 2021|reason=According to the article [[PLOS]], "The publications are primarily funded by payments from the authors", so take that as you will.}}