What is the difference between the words, speaking and talking?

Question

Pls answer with examples.

Answer 1

I agree with most of what David Brooke had to say in his answer but I don't think your question included the definition of the term "words" . My understanding is that you were asking the difference in meanings just between the two words "speaking" and "talking". Here are some more thoughts (or the same thoughts expressed in different ways...):

1. Speaking can mean making a verbal request or complain. Example:"Would you speak to the hotel manager about the noise from the next room?" . When you change it to talking, it means something slightly different in this context. It means more to exchange information or opinions:"Would you talk to the hotel manager about the noise from next door?"

2 Speaking can mean having a certain language skill :"He speaks French ".

3. Sometimes, speaking implies more formality than talking:"He gave a speech on global warming in front of the joint session of Congress". But:"He gave a talk to the Garden Club about grub worms"

4. Speaking can mean acknowledging or maintaining a relationship:" They haven't spoken to each other for years" means they have been estranged from each other while "I haven't talked to her in years" means only the lack of opportunities.

5. Often times, speaking implies more of a one-directional giving of information and opinion while talking implies more of a two-way or multi-directional exchange.

Answer 2

Words are what speach is made of, but they don't have to be spoken aloud, i.e. words on a page, or words you think in your head. Sentences are made of words.

Speaking and talking are essentially the same thing. There is one minor difference: to speak is to say something out loud, either in a conversation or even just talking aloud to yourself (ie if something makes you really angry and you just have to let off some steam!). To talk means to have a quiet conversation with another person who is speaking back. You can't "talk loudly", you can only talk at a normal volume. However, you can "speak loudly" or "speak quietly".

Hope this helps!