The discussion centers around the usage of the terms "talking" and "speaking" when answering the phone, particularly in the context of old American films from the 1930s and 1940s. Participants explore the prevalence and naturalness of each term in contemporary usage.
Participants generally express differing views on the prevalence of "talking" versus "speaking," with no consensus reached on which is more common today.
The discussion reflects personal experiences and perceptions, which may vary widely based on individual backgrounds and exposure to language use.
I would say "speaking." I don't recall seeing any movies in which someone answered the phone saying, "talking."Stephen Tashi said:In watching old (USA) films from the 1930's an 1940's, characters who answer phones often use the work "talking" when they identify themselves, as in "Jed Truntree talking". By contrast, it seems more natural to me to use the word "speaking" , as in "Jed Truntree speaking". Which verb is more prevalent in that context nowadays? - "talking" or "speaking"?