Is there any difference between speak and talk?

[Fan of Arabian horses]

Hi,

I´m a bit curious about the difference between speak and talk. Also, I´m not any longer sure when to use which. I´d be pretty grateful for some clarification.

Additional, I´d like to know of which below expressions are correct:

-I speak English

-I talk in English

Michael

[Yankee]

Hi Michael

"Speak English" is a much more commonly used collocation than "talk in English". However, that does not mean that "talk in English" is wrong.

If you are thinking "Ich kann Englisch" in German, then you would generally say "I speak English" in English.

The verbs talk and speak can often be interchanged, but there are quite a number of collocations and idioms in which one or the other would be the more typical or even the only correct word to use. For example "talk back" has an idiomatic meaning that would probably be lost if you changed talk to speak. Likewise, you can "talk somebody into doing something", but you cannot "speak somebody into doing something".

I would suggest that you first read and digest the dictionary definitions for each word. Pay close attention to all of the sample sentences given. And make sure you also read through the idioms.

Then, read through the sentences that a search of the BNC turned up for each word. That may help you get a better feel for when to use which word:

BNC: speak
BNC: talk

After you've done that, if you have questions about the usage of talk or speak in specific sentences, post those here.
.
_________________
Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[Alan]

Hi Michael,

'Speak' if you like is the official word to describe that human attribute of making noises in order to say something. That obviously applies not only to different languages but also to the way in which the words of speech are delivered so that you speak English, you speak quickly, you speak with a foreign accent. It's in a way the formal verb for speech. On the other hand talk is much more about conversation and communication. This becomes clearer if you look at the two nouns: speech and talk. A political leader delivers a speech formally and then meets face to face with another leader and they hold talks informally. If you consider the different examples of both words in a dictionary that gives illustrative examples, you will probably be able to trace this difference.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Only Three Letters

[Molly]

We could use "talk English" in a way similar to these:

Let's talk politics, science, football, stamp collecting, etc.

[Molly]

These are from the BNC: http://corpus.byu.edu/bnc/x.asp. Source: unpublished school materials.

"Your English teacher will supply you with ideas but you are expected to read widely using the School Library and other sources of material to further your knowledge and your reading skills. You must try to talk English ! Your teacher will be asking lots of questions, and you must try hard to give your views in class discussions. the English Department hopes you enjoy your work in English in S1 and throughout the School."

......

Source: Cast in order of disappearance. Brett, Simon. London: Vicor Gollancz, 1975, pp. 31-192.

"It would have made a difference in the disposition of that part of the estate which hadn't been given away. But the gift of the rest couldn't be revoked. He had given away all rights in the property. You know, the freeholds were made over by deeds of gift by way of conveyance, and the --;" "Please talk English." "All right. Basically, all of the property is Nigel's exclusively. Marius could not have any beneficial interest in any part of it. In other words, he couldn't benefit from the property or the dividends on the shares, or any part of the gift.

[Alan]

Hi,

These examples above reinforce what I was trying to explain. 'Talk English' is essentially make conversation in English as 'talk politics' is primarily 'make conversation in English about politics.' There is a major phone company that uses 'talk' in its name making the point that it's about communication and conversation:

TalkTalk Telecom Limited
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Reflections

[Molly]

Yes, "talk English" means "talk about English".

[EmocodildTirm]

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[Fan of Arabian horses]

Hi Amy, Alan and Molly,

I just want to tell you how much I appreciate your supplement on this issue. After having read Amy´s links, for me the difference is what Alan explained here. I mean, the main difference is that "speak" refers to the mechanical process while "talk" more means a conversation wherewat several people will be involved. Hope I´ve got that right.

Thanks
Michael