[Vocabulary] Talking of interchangeable with talking about?

[LiuJing]

Talking of human rights, China is a big violator.

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Can we use 'talking about' to replace 'talking of' as an absolute participle in the above sentence?
Thank you.

 

[rhapsomatrics]

Talking of human rights, China is a big violator.

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Can we use 'talking about' to replace 'talking of' as an absolute participle in the above sentence?
Thank you.

The expressions are almost semantically equal safe for the fact that TALK ABOUT sounds a little more purposeful than TALK OF.I think you talk of something by,sometimes,merely making mention of that thing but when you TALK ABOUT,it sounds like a real discussion....eg...Let us TALK ABOUT love(discuss somewhat elaborately).There are countries with abundant human resourses,TALK OF China,India etc.

Talking about human rights violation,China is a prominent figure.Talking of(mentioning) human rights violators,China leads the chart

 

[TheParser]

Talking of human rights, China is a big violator.

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Can we use 'talking about' to replace 'talking of' as an absolute participle in the above sentence?
Thank you.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Hello, LiuJing.

(1) I notice that Mr. Swan in his popular book seems to feel that talking/

speaking can go with either "of" or "about."

(2) Personally, I would use only "of" in your particular sentence.

(3) I cannot explain the reason, but I have the feeling (perhaps

the wrong feeling!) that there is a difference. "Of" seems more

remote and academic and formal. "About" seems more immediate

and personal:

Tom and Martha are in a restaurant.

Martha: The restaurant is really crowded today.

Tom: Yeah, it is. All the people here look so ugly, don't they!!!

Martha: Talking about ugly people, look at who just

walked in the door!

Tom: Hey! Don't talk that way about my ex-girlfriend.

***** Thank you *****