Communication Declines: Words Spoken Decrease
April 25, 2026 at 15:03
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✦ AI Summary
- Study reveals 28% drop in spoken words since 2005
- Increased reliance on texting and apps impacts conversations
- Effects of the pandemic exacerbated the trend
Researchers from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Arizona have unveiled a concerning trend in human communication. From 2005 to 2019, people spoke nearly 28% fewer words aloud to one another, with the situation likely worsening due to the pandemic.
The study analyzed data from 22 research efforts involving over 2,000 participants who recorded their daily conversational interactions. Initially, individuals spoke an average of 16,632 words in 2005. However, as reliance on texting and app-based communication grew, the average number of spoken words significantly decreased by 2019.
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