I always talk to Duke when I take him out for a walk. I say "good boy" and some commands. Sometimes he gets really happy when he sees other dogs (but he usually scares them away) so I talk to him to calm him down. Talking to a dog is normal. Most people do it while others don't.
I was walking down the block with my neighbors dog, Lady, and I was talking to her. A kid said "Why are you talking to a dog. They don't understand you!"
Well, I think they do cause whenever you feel sad and talk to the dogs, they seem to listen to you. So yes, I do talk to Duke and other dogs while taking them for a walk.