Talk vs. speak

I wouldn't consider this really a grammar question, but more of a question of usage.
That aside, "speak" and "talk" are often interchangeable, that's true. Nevertheless, "speak" is a bit more formal than "talk". The President speaks before Congress. I talk to my friends on the phone.

We say that someone gives a speech when it's more formal, gives a talk when it's less formal.

Wow! That's an awesome explanation. Thanks!

To speak is to express or relay a message. "I want to speak to you," is the same as, "I want to tell you something" A spoken message is a speech.

To talk is to converse with someone; it is an exchange of thoughts and ideas. "I want to talk to you," gives an expectation that the other person will contribute just as much to what is said.

Stacy -- a speech teac

I THINK that normally one would also use 'speak' in the sense of an initial ordinary conscious utterance ('he was cut off just as he began to speak") and 'talk' when an individual begins to verbalize after a period of inability ("we were relieved she finally began to talk").

in the song - Simon And Garfunkel The Sound Of Silence -

it says "people talking without speaking, people hearing without listening", what does this bring us?

Anonymouswhat does this bring us?

I think you mean: What does this mean?

It means the words are being said, but there is no emotion or understanding in the saying of them. Words are being heard, but there is no understanding or emotional reaction in the hearing of them.

In general, it is about people who go through the motions of lif

I agree with you, Stacy.

In reference to the Simon and Garfunkel example a few comments below, I believe that they were trying to say that even though people talk to each other, they are not necessarily speaking to each other. If no message is coming across, nothing is being expressed, then it's simply talking.

Think about it this way: if one is spewing incoherent words, one is

I have no Idea what you talking 'bout? Is it better to use talk or speak in a school paragraph?

I need an answer in 6 sec

AnonymousI have no Idea what you talking 'bout? Is it better to use talk or speak in a school paragraph?

Speak is used in a more general sense... "I speak English", "He speaks well", etc. When you talk, it's usually about something. "I was talking about the film with my friend." It's also formal/informal, but the distinction is still there. To take the earlier example, "When the President speaks before Congress today, he will talk about healthcare reform." Etc.