Speak vs. talk

Question:

I was told there is a difference between the verbs speak and talk. Can you please tell me what it is?

Answer:

The difference between these two verbs is very subtle. In his book Dos, Don'ts and Maybes of English Usage, Theodore M. Bernstein tells us that speak and talk are closely synonymous: I spoke to John means the same thing as I talked to John.

Whether you use speak or talk depends on what kind of communication you have in mind. Originally, speak meant one person talking to or informing another. Talk, which is closely related to tell, originally meant the same thing as speak, but the concept of discussion or dialogue has been added over time. So speak tends to be used for one-sided communications (e.g. she spoke to her employees), whereas talk implies a conversation or discussion between two or more people (e.g. everyone was talking when he walked into the room). You should also keep in mind that speak is more formal than talk.

Unfortunately, there is no simple or easy rule to follow. There are, however, a number of fixed expressions with the verb speak. For example:

• speak a language (e.g. French, English, etc.)
• speak for someone—voice what another person thinks
• speak now or forever hold your peace—this is your last chance to say something
• speak your mind—say what you really think
• speak out (about something)—voice your opinion (on a subject)
• speak up—raise your voice
• speak up for someone—voice support for a person
• speak volumes—convey lots of information
• speak well of someone—say only positive things about that person
• this speaks for itself-requires no explanation

By the same token, always use talk in these fixed expressions:

• money talks—money can get things done
• talk away—talk a great deal
• talk back—answer rudely or disrespectfully
• talk down to someone—be condescending towards a person
• talk shop—talk about your job, using jargon
• talk the talk—say things and make promises to please others
• talk things over—discuss something
• talk tough—speak in a brash or threatening manner
• talk through your hat (or talk nonsense)—say things that make no sense
• talk turkey—speak frankly

So to sum up, speak and talk are almost synonymous and are generally interchangeable except in fixed expressions. Remember that the verb speak tends to be used in more formal or one-sided situations.