Parlez vs Parler

Bonjour tout le monde, I know both parlez and parler mean to speak or to talk, but I've noticed the two being used interchangeably and I don't quite get what the actual difference is besides the spelling. So if anyone could explain, that'd be great. Merci

Salud, Marshall. I'll take a shoot at explaining: o "Parler" is the infinitive form of the verb. It means "to speak". o "Parlez" is the second person plural form of the verb. It means "you (plural or formal) speak". I must say I have not seen them used interchangeably. Hope that helps. Bon chance!

Okay, I had a feeling it had something to do with that. I know you use "parle" when the subject is yourself, like je parle anglais. But I'm still a bit iffy with parlez and parler. For example, I've seen parler used in sentences like: Pouvez-vous parler en anglais s'il vous plaît? (Can you speak in English please?) And then I've seen parlez in sentences like: Est-ce que vous parlez aussi anglais? ( Do you also speak English?) So I figured parler and parlez are you used when the subject is someone else. But the exact difference is still a little vague to me.

Marshall, "Pouvez-vous parler ..." literally translates as " Are you be able to speak ..". Thus, "parler" is translated as an infinitive "to speak". "Parlez-vous ..." literally translates "Do you speak ..." the second person plural of the verb. Which to use when? My understanding is that the "pouvez-vous..." form is considered less direct, more polite, softer.

Okay thanks, that helps.