People Are Speaking Less: Study Finds We've Lost 4,700 Words a Day Since 2005

Researchers studied how people talk over 15 years. They found we speak roughly 28 percent fewer words now than in 2005—dropping from about 16,600 words daily to 11,900. Younger people saw the steepest change. Texting, apps, and ordering online have replaced much face-to-face conversation, reshaping how we connect and do business.