Geraldton marked as fourth slowest talking city in Australia according to bizarre Preply transcript study

A bizarre study has revealed Geraldton is one of the slowest talking cities in Australia after data was collected from radio station transcripts and podcasts from across the country. According to language tuition service Preply, Geraldton is in the top five slowest-talking Australian cities based on data collated and analysed in October 2023. Preply examined clips from two local radio stations — ABC Mid West and Wheatbelt and Noongar Radio — to determine Geraldton had an average speech rate of 145 words per minute. The report found the average rate of speech among Australian cities is 161 wpm, with the fastest average speech rate being in Hobart, Tasmaina at 194 wpm. Geraldton was ranked the fourth slowest-talking city, behind Mackay (141 wpm), Adelaide (129 wpm) and Cairns (122 wpm). Perth ranked the third fastest-talking city at 174 wpm, while Western Australia ranked the fourth-fastest talking State at 163 wpm. Tasmania was the fastest at 194 wpm, NSW second at 167 wpm and NT third at 167 wpm. Queensland was the slowest talking State at 141 wpm, while SA was 146 wpm and Victoria was 159 wpm. Preply language expert Sylvia Johnson said the Australian accent was renowned for its character, for being laid back and it often reflected a moderate speech pace. “The speech rate in different cities can vary for several reasons, and it’s influenced by a combination of linguistic, cultural, and environmental factors,” she said. “Some cultures value rapid communication, while others may prioritise clarity and deliberation in speech. “In fast-paced urban environments, people may speak more quickly to keep up with the hustle and bustle, whereas in quieter or more relaxed cities, speech may be slower. “In Geraldton, our findings highlight a measured speed evident in local radio, giving a distinctive quality to the way people speak. This underscores how language and culture can blend, influencing the varied local dynamics that show Australia’s speech patterns.”