A recent study has revealed that on average, we speak 3,000 fewer words each day compared to the year 2005. Between 2005 and 2018, researchers from the University of Arizona found that the average number of spoken words fell from 16,000 to around 13,000. Technology, particularly texting, is one of the reasons for the decline, say the authors of the study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
According to Study Finds, they also discovered that women talk much more than men in one age category only, between the ages of 25 to 64 years, with women speaking approximately 21,845 words per day compared to men’s 18,570. In all other age categories, the genders were almost equally vocal.
The study, conducted by leading linguists and communication experts, analyzed the daily word usage of a diverse sample of individuals over the past two decades. The researchers utilized advanced speech recognition technology and natural language processing tools to accurately measure and compare the number of words spoken each day.
Their findings indicate a significant reduction in verbal communication, which they attribute to the increasing prevalence of digital communication methods, such as texting and social media, that favor brevity and efficiency. Additionally, the study highlights changes in work environments, where remote and hybrid working models have reduced face-to-face interactions and, consequently, the need for extensive verbal exchanges.
The authors of the study pointed out that less talk means less socializing, a factor linked to overall health and well-being.
“I’m fascinated by the idea that we know how much we need to sleep, we know how much we need to exercise, and people are wearing Fitbits all the time, but we have no idea how much we’re supposed to socialize,” said senior author Matthias Mehl, a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona. “The evidence is very strong that socializing is linked to health, at least to the same extent as physical activity and sleep are. It’s just another health behavior.”