Home / Science / We're Talking Less: Study Reveals Major Word Drop
We're Talking Less: Study Reveals Major Word Drop
6 Sep
Summary
- Average daily spoken words dropped by 338 words annually since 2005.
- Overall verbal communication decreased by 28% over 15 years.
- Younger generations show a faster rate of declining verbal communication.
New research indicates a significant decrease in daily spoken words, with an average annual drop of 338 words recorded between 2005 and 2019. This trend amounts to a 28% reduction in overall verbal communication over the 15-year period.
The decline is attributed not to fewer meaningful conversations, but to the erosion of casual, everyday interactions. Automation in our environment, including self-checkout kiosks and mobile apps, has replaced many micro-conversations.
While younger demographics, accustomed to digital communication, exhibit a faster shift away from speaking, scientists emphasize this is a widespread societal change. The findings, published in Perspectives on Psychological Science, stem from replicating an earlier study on gender differences in speech.
Scientists noted a stark difference, with daily spoken word averages falling from approximately 15,900 in 2005 to around 12,700 by 2019. This reduction in spoken words can contribute to social isolation and loneliness, as text-based communication lacks the emotional nuances of voice.
