utter" precedes a statement of distress, confusion, and often utter is preceded with a modal such as "could." For example: He could't utter a word. So to say "people talk is the more common usage" would only be true because talk more in life than they utter. The words are not quite synonymous.'

First ask the question with correct grammar. Ask, "Which phrase is correct?"

"People talk" is the common usage.