Say, Speak, Talk, Tellの違い

AllAboutに「Say, Speak, Talk, Tellの違い」という記事があった。結論は、Sayは「口から単語を出す」、speakは「一方通行に話す」、talkは「みんなで話し合う」、tellは「情報の伝達」だそうです。いづれの語もCPSでの登場頻度は、多くはない。そのなかで、"tell"が無生物主語の形で「情報の伝達」を意味したり、受身の形で「情報の有無」を表したりすることが多い。例文を下に引用しておく。

• Statistically, I would have to say that it is most likely that this man has substantial narrowing of at least one of his coronary arteries. "The Appropriate Degree of Diagnostic Certainty"
• In addition, the acute alteration in her ability to speak is more common with a stroke or a seizure than with a toxic or metabolic cause. "All in the Family"
• But her HIV infection is likely to be an issue when you talk to a cardiac surgeon. "Risky Business"
• We are told nothing in terms of medications that could raise the serum potassium level. "Things Are Seldom What They Seem"