Torontonians may have a lot to say, but they take their time doing it.
Toronto has been named Canada’s slowest-talking city in a study from Preply, an online language platform. Coming in at 149 words per minute, Toronto residents talk considerably slower than the national average of 175 words per minute.
Preply, an online language platform and e-learning company, analyzed speech patterns across the country’s 10 largest cities using data from podcasts, YouTube channels, and news stations.
That data revealed Torontonians say 26 fewer words per minute than the national average and 61 fewer words per minute than Edmonton, the fastest-talking city, whose residents average a whopping 210 words per minute.
Preply language expert Sylvia Johnson told 680 CJOB’s The Start that the pace of one’s speech is typically determined by the topic being discussed.
“Podcasts or radio shows and news report subjects that we analyzed—such as real estate, or religion, or lifestyle—all of this had a real impact on how quickly the guests were speaking,” she said.
The more serious the topic, the slower people tend to speak, Ms. Johnson said, adding that the slower pace could indicate more respect for the subject being discussed.
In analyzing Toronto speech patterns, Preply found that even casual, less serious topics didn’t speed up people’s speech, citing the ‘Players Play Podcast,’ which discusses the latest trends in society and relationships.
Toronto’s sedate speaking style has also been adopted by Brampton and Mississauga. The cities were the second and third slowest speakers on Preply’s list, coming in at 153 and 168 words per minute, respectively, making the GTA the slowest-speaking urban area in the country.
Slow speaking isn’t necessarily an Ontario phenomenon, however. The nation’s capital placed second on the fast speech list, averaging a speedy 191 words per minute. One of the podcasts analyzed was ‘Locked On Senators,’ which could have played a role in Ottawa’s quick speech pattern.
“It is a truth commonly acknowledged that talking politics can cause people’s pulses to start racing, which could be why so many words per minute were recorded,” the report said.
Just a few words behind Ottawa, Winnipeg averaged 189 words per minute, while Calgary came in at 181, making them third and fourth in the country for quick speech.
Right in the middle of the pack were Hamilton with 173 words per minute, Montreal with 172, and Vancouver with 170.
Provincial data revealed Canada’s fastest talkers can be found out west. Alberta took the top spot for the fastest-talking citizens, averaging 196 words per minute, with Manitoba a distant second at 189. Quebec averaged 171 words per minute for a third-place finish, with British Columbia just behind at 169.
