Why read this: This short article gives A2 readers one clear finding: people now say far fewer words each day than before. The story uses simple numbers and two easy reasons (phones and time alone) so students can talk about a real change in daily life. It also gives them the idea of small talk, which is useful for school and travel.
What to notice: Notice how the article uses present simple for general facts (we pay, we order, we feel) and past simple only for the study (said, fell). Notice the linking words: first, second, but, so. Notice the two glossed phrases: small talk and body language. These are short words but a big idea.
Skills practised: Reading short factual sentences and finding numbers. Linking a cause and a result with so and but. Talking about your own day: How many words do you say? Do you text more than you talk? Students can also try one new small talk question with a friend, like "How was your day?"
We Say Fewer Words Every Day
People talk less than before. A new study shows how much less.
Tap any green word in the article to see its meaning.
People talk less now than before. A new study says we say fewer words each day. The drop is big.
Two researchers looked at sound recordings from more than 2,000 people in the U.S. In 2005, the average person said about 16,600 words a day. In 2019, the number fell to under 12,000 words. That is about 28% less in only 15 years.
One researcher is Matthias Mehl. He says the drop is real. He did not study the reasons, but he has some ideas.
The first reason is phones. Many people, and young people most of all, send text messages and chat in apps. They type instead of talking. So they say fewer words each day.
The second reason is that people spend more time alone. More people work from home. People meet friends less than before. When you are alone, you do not talk much.
There is also less in shops and cafes. We pay with a card. We order food on a screen. We do not need to talk to a worker. So a small but friendly part of the day is gone.
Why is this a problem? Gillian Sandstrom is another researcher. She studies small talk. She says small talk makes us feel better. When we say “hello” to a stranger or chat with a neighbour, we feel happy and connected. We feel that people are kind.
Text messages are quick, but they miss something. When we talk face to face, we hear the voice and we see the . We understand more. Sandstrom says we should try to chat with people more often. It is good for us.
People talk less now than before. A new study says we say fewer words each day. The drop is big.
Two researchers looked at sound recordings from more than 2,000 people in the U.S. In 2005, the average person said about 16,600 words a day. In 2019, the number fell to under 12,000 words. That is about 28% less in only 15 years.
One researcher is Matthias Mehl. He says the drop is real. He did not study the reasons, but he has some ideas.
The first reason is phones. Many people, and young people most of all, send text messages and chat in apps. They type instead of talking. So they say fewer words each day.
The second reason is that people spend more time alone. More people work from home. People meet friends less than before. When you are alone, you do not talk much.
There is also less in shops and cafes. We pay with a card. We order food on a screen. We do not need to talk to a worker. So a small but friendly part of the day is gone.
Why is this a problem? Gillian Sandstrom is another researcher. She studies small talk. She says small talk makes us feel better. When we say “hello” to a stranger or chat with a neighbour, we feel happy and connected. We feel that people are kind.
Text messages are quick, but they miss something. When we talk face to face, we hear the voice and we see the . We understand more. Sandstrom says we should try to chat with people more often. It is good for us.
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
How many words a day did the average person say in 2019, in the study?
- 02
What is one reason people say fewer words?
- 03
What does Gillian Sandstrom say about small talk?
- 04
Name two reasons people say fewer words every day.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Describe how small talk can help people, in your own words.
Suggested length: ~50 words
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
How many words a day did the average person say in 2019, in the study?
- 02
What is one reason people say fewer words?
- 03
What does Gillian Sandstrom say about small talk?
- 04
Name two reasons people say fewer words every day.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Describe how small talk can help people, in your own words.
Suggested length: ~50 words