| Pages in topic: [1 2] > |
Poll: A study reported that the average person speaks 16,000 words a day; in your opinion, you are: Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "A study reported that the average person speaks 16,000 words a day; in your opinion, you are:".
View the poll results »
| | | |
| WAY below average | Jan 19, 2013 |
though I sometimes speak the words I'm typing as I translate. Does that count?
| | | |
Julian Holmes 
Japan
Local time: 10:06
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| Translators vs Interpreters | Jan 19, 2013 |
There is obviously going to be a huge disparity between these two linguist groups unless you use voice recognition software like Dragon NaturallySpeaking for translation input.
I "speak" with my written words though I don't actually vociferate them. However, I probably am "Above average" when it comes to expletives when I #%"! up a sentence I am translating. 
Anyway, I answered "I have no idea" s... See more There is obviously going to be a huge disparity between these two linguist groups unless you use voice recognition software like Dragon NaturallySpeaking for translation input.
I "speak" with my written words though I don't actually vociferate them. However, I probably am "Above average" when it comes to expletives when I #%"! up a sentence I am translating.
Anyway, I answered "I have no idea" since there is absolutely no way I could ever possibly know this. ▲ Collapse
| | | |
Miranda Drew
Italy
Local time: 03:06
Member (2009)
Italian to English
| depends on the country | Jan 19, 2013 |
I think that the Italians speak about 10 times as much per day as Americans
| | |
|
|
|
| I haven't the faintest idea! | Jan 19, 2013 |
As I live alone, I probably talk less than the average person though I am known to talk to myself and to my translations...
| | | |
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 03:06
Spanish to English
+ ...
Teresa Borges wrote:
As I live alone, I probably talk less than the average person though I am known to talk to myself and to my translations...
I mostly talk to my animals, unless you count shouting abuse at politicians on the TV news, or the occasional quiz show contestant.
Anyway, who's counting? "Empty vessels make the most noise"...
| | | |
Dave Bindon
Greece
Local time: 04:06
Greek to English
In memoriam | Way below average | Jan 19, 2013 |
Usually "Good afternoon! How are you?", "Thanks" and "Goodbye" at the kiosk when I buy cigarettes in the afternoon, followed by "Good afternoon!", "No" (answering 'do you have a store card?') and "Good evening" at the supermarket. In Greek that's nine words a day.
Even if I go to the local bar, I doubt I go above a couple of thousand words. I've always been a listener more than a talker.
| | | |
jacana54 (X)
Uruguay
English to Spanish
+ ...
| Don't know about myself | Jan 19, 2013 |
However, I'm sure that my daughters are way above average!
| | |
|
|
|
Chun Un
Macau
Member (2007)
English to Chinese
+ ...
| Below average unless | Jan 19, 2013 |
there's an interpreting assignment on that day... Otherwise I am only talkative when with the right person (people).
| | | |
Suzan Hamer
Netherlands
Local time: 03:06
English
+ ...
| This may not tell you how many words you speak a day, | Jan 19, 2013 |
but you can measure how many words you know:
http://testyourvocab.com/
[Edited at 2013-01-19 11:31 GMT]
| | | |
Paul Dixon
Brazil
Local time: 22:06
Portuguese to English
+ ...
Do you mean 16,000 words or 16,000 different words?
If 16,000 words, I'm below average as I spend most of my time at the computer (I'm talking about spoken words here). If 16,000 different words, then I assume only Shakespeare would have had such a wide vocabulary.
| | | |
Tatty
Local time: 03:06
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Definately below | Jan 19, 2013 |
It's a sad lonely life isn't it... On a daily basis I only really get to speak to my husband. Very short conversations with agents maybe, but usually we communicate by e-mail. I find that it is important to keep up your speaking skills in whatever language you use, even if you live in your own country. Otherwise you can become somewhat withdrawn, which isn't good.
| | |
|
|
|
Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 21:06
English to Spanish
+ ...
Two problems with this poll:
1) Who posted it? I am against anonymity in forums.
2) Who did the study and for what?
The statement that the 'average' person speaks 16,000 words a day seems preposterous and unsubstantiated.
Someone is too bored or dumb to come up with a poll like this.
| | | |
Steven Capsuto
United States
Local time: 21:06
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Most of my communication during the work day is by e-mail. I might have a cursory conversation with a cashier at lunchtime, but that's about it.
Most of my talking happens outside work hours, which means I'm going to be well below the average.
| | | |
Tatty
Local time: 03:06
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Uncited source | Jan 19, 2013 |
While the pollster has not identified the study in question, this study is well known at least in the UK, I would say. A few years ago, it was discussed in newspapers, magazines and on the TV and I've heard lots of people quote this figure in conversation.
| | | |
| Pages in topic: [1 2] > |
Login to reply/comment 
