speak or talk

Mil, I'd guess "talk" usu implies conversation, "speak" the voice of an individual

Yeah, both are correct, I would think. The two are often used interchangeably and, in some contexts, are synonyms.

Dale may be saying that "talked" might seem to connote a two-way exchange or a "discussion" whereas "spoke" might seem to refer only to unilateral pronouncements made by your mother, which you simply passively listened to.

Thanks Lay, it's a rare morn when....

We usually use speak for more formal presentations and lectures, and talk for more informal ones:
Dr Graham Foster will speak about the history of the region.
Kyle is going to talk us through the benefits of the software

When we refer to languages, we use speak:

How many languages do you speak?
I wish I could speak Italian. Not: … talk Italian

Speak usually only focuses on the person who is producing the words:
He spoke about the importance of taking exercise and having a good diet.

Talk focuses on a speaker and at least one listener, and can mean ‘have a conversation’:
I was talking to Maria yesterday.
We use speak on the telephone:
Who’s speaking?
Not: Who’s talking?
Hello, can I speak to Laura, please?
Typical errors

We don’t use talk when referring to foreign languages:
I can speak German and Spanish.
Not: I can talk German and Spanish.

We don’t use speak to focus on conversation:
They can talk and get to know each other over dinner.
Not: They can speak and get to know each other …

Thank you.

Quite welcome, Mil