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speak and talk

Little difference​

There is little difference between speak and talk. In certain situations one or the other is preferred, but they are usually both possible.

Formality​

Talk is the more usual word for informal communication.

  • When she walked into the room everybody stopped talking.
  • Could I talk to you about my plans for a few minutes?

Speak is often used for communication in more serious or formal situations.

  • I’ll have to speak to that boy – he’s getting very lazy.
  • They had a fight last week, and now they’re not speaking to one another.
  • After she had finished explaining her plans, nobody spoke.

Lectures, etc​

Talk is often used for the act of giving an informal lecture (a talk); speak is preferred for more formal lectures, sermons, etc. Compare:

  • This is Patrick Allen, who’s going to talk to us about gardening.
  • This is Professor Rosalind Bowen, who is going to speak to us on recent developments in low-temperature physics.
  • The Pope spoke to the crowd for seventy minutes about world peace.

Languages​

Speak is the usual word to refer to knowledge and use of languages, and to the physical ability to speak.

  • She speaks three languages fluently.
  • We spoke Dutch so that the children wouldn’t understand.
  • His throat operation has left him unable to speak.

Other cases​

One usually asks to speak to somebody on the phone (AmE also speak with).

  • Hello. Could I speak to Karen, please?

Talk is used before sense, nonsense and other words with similar meanings.

  • You’re talking complete nonsense, as usual. (not You’re speaking complete nonsense …)