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    Sentence (a), to me, conveys a sense that they don't like each other, but will speak to each other if necessary. Sentence (b) is more just a statement of fact; there may be no particular reason why they don't talk to each other except for occasional conversations. Commented Oct 23, 2021 at 22:25
  • Disagree about (a) being clumsy. If used to imply reluctance to communicate it's just fine. Commented Oct 24, 2021 at 20:52
  • @Laurence: If the English-learning OP had asked about "they barely speak to each other", would you have preferred "they almost don't talk to each other"? It's a bit long, and harder to deal with (i.e. 'awkward': not 'clumsy.') Both might suggest reluctance. I sniff out a difference between 'talk' and 'speak'. (Btw, I've now got Capt. Corcoran's song on the brain! 'What never?') Commented Oct 25, 2021 at 7:26