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Guest Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Problems with ... talking and speaking
I'm Italian. I find very difficult to understand the difference between to talk and to speak, especially regarding to expressing the language you can use. In other words, animals don't "talk" (in the human sense) or don't "speak"? I can talk Italian or speak Italian?
Thanks in advance for everithing you'll be able to do for me.
Thanks in advance for everithing you'll be able to do for me.
Top answer
Buon giorno! Here are some typical sentences using "speak" and "talk". They both mean the same thing, of course, but "talk" is more often used when we mean something more extended and informal, like a conversation.
- Buon giorno!
- Here are some typical sentences using "speak" and "talk".
- They both mean the same thing, of course, but "talk" is more often used when we mean something more extended and informal, like a conversation.
- In many, many cases either word will do.
- You speak Italian.
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4 Answers
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Buon giorno! Here are some typical sentences using "speak" and "talk". They both mean the same thing, of course, but "talk" is more often used when we mean something more extended and informal, like a conversation. In many, many cases either word will do.
You speak Italian. I speak English. I speak very little Italian. Do you speak English?
Some people think they should speak
You speak Italian. I speak English. I speak very little Italian. Do you speak English?
Some people think they should speak
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Well, about animals what the difference - if any - between "animals don't talk" and "animals don't speak"? I'd say - if I've caught your point - "animals don't talk" means they are unable to converse or communicate one another while "animals don't speak" rather means they can't use a (human) language at all with no specific relation nor focus to their ability to convey their own feelings/thougts
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No difference. "speak" is just a little higher in register.
Remember, in many cases, either word will do.
Animals don't talk.
Animals don't speak.
Note the idiom, however:
When commanding a dog to bark:
--Speak! Come on! Speak!
-- Woof!
-- Good dog!
Remember, in many cases, either word will do.
Animals don't talk.
Animals don't speak.
Note the idiom, however:
When commanding a dog to bark:
--Speak! Come on! Speak!
-- Woof!
-- Good dog!
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