Voice to Word Consulting Inc
720 Bathurst St. M5S 2R4 Toronto, ON, Canada

Synonyms - two words that mean more or less the same thing. Homonyms - two words that sound the same with different meanings.

Back to writing posts after a break but I couldn't pass up this. Today is the 100th anniversary of the Winnipeg General Strike - the birth of major labour law reform, including the right to collective bargaining, and health and safety regulations for workers. It is also an example of workers joining across diversity, including immigrants and women, during a time of stark racism and inequality. I believe it was the beginning of a process which steered Canada toward where it is now with protection for diverse groups of people. We owe them a lot. https://www.thestar.com//what-the-1919-winnipeg-general-st

Language changes whether we like it or not. I was forced to pronounce WHEN, WHICH and WHERE with air after the W, even though nobody I knew did it. But that was considered correct when I was young. And, as we know, what is considered correct is the language of prestige. Knowing how to speak with this diction and grammar allows us to present a certain image which may be instrumental in getting a job or influencing someone. Here's an interesting article on how language changes over time. It can be hard to know what's correct sometimes. :) http://nymag.com///you-new-york-accent-will-disappear.html

Here's a great article about how to deliver effective cultural training. People often want a simplistic understanding of what-to-dos and what-not-to-dos. The key is to first emphasize the importance of genuine interest and openness to difference. Later you can explore archetypes within contexts, avoiding stereotypes. Lots more in the article. Well written by David Livermore. https://culturalq.com/why-you-need-to-stop-teaching-cultur/

Here's a great article on different cultural perceptions of time. While I clearly operate most of the time within the linear perception common in North American, I realize that sometimes I slide into multi-active and cyclical time behaviours when things get too stressful. Very well-written and clear article. http://www.businessinsider.fr//how-different-cultures-und/

Here's an interesting video about why you may not like the sound of your own voice on recordings. Rébecca Kleinberger also explains the differences between your outward, inward and inner voices -- and the extraordinary things you communicate without being aware of it.

Come and Learn the Basics of Canadian Pronunciation SPEAK CLEARLY An Introduction to Canadian Pronunciation... Speaking clearly is an important key to success in the Canadian environment. If people understand you easily, everyone is more relaxed. But pronunciation training receives little attention in the majority of English language training. Fortunately, it is never too late to improve. HEATHER CHETWYND is teaching this intensive course which will introduce you to the vowels, consonants and musical aspects of Canadian English. ("Musical aspects" refers to stress, intonation, linking, etc. - what we also call "prosody.") WHO is the course for? Any fluent non-native speaker of English WHAT is the course about? The basics of Canadian Pronunciation, with content customized to the needs of those attending, including all materials (print and audio) which you can use during the course and after to practice with. WHEN is the course? Saturdays on November 11, 18 & 25 (2017) from 10 am to 2 pm WHERE will the course be held? At 720 Bathurst St., just south of Bathurst subway station. Details to be provided upon registration. HOW MUCH does the course cost? $210 all inclusive Sign up with a friend and get a $25 discount! FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SIGN UP CONTACT: [email protected] or call 416-535-8869

Body language can tell us so much and can have great impact, both positive and negative. Here's a fun video by Body Language expert Mark Bowden where he analyzes Trudeau. Enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eyT7V74mDE

Here are some projected statistics for Toronto in 2036: Toronto will still be the Canadian Census Metropolitan Area with the largest proportion of immigrants. Between 46.0% and 52.8% of its population will have immigrant status. Between 65.0% and 67.3% of immigrants in Toronto will have been born in Asia, 13.4% to 14.1% in the Americas and between 11.8% and 13.5% in Europe. Between 48.4% and 53.4% of people residing in Toronto will not have English or French as th...eir mother tongue. Taken from Statistics Canada, as written in a newsletter from the Toronto Workforce Innovation Group which is really interesting (http://workforceinnovation.ca/)

I think I might have posted this a while back, but I love this Ted Talk which looks at the influence the grammar of a language has on behaviour; in particular, how not having past and future tense influences our savings habits. Very interesting. There must be many ways our languages shape our behaviours... or maybe it's the other way? Any ideas? https://www.ted.com//keith_chen_could_your_language_affect

Understanding the history of a language sheds light on the character of the people and helps us to understand the culture. It also shows why English is so "bloody" difficult to pronounce. The BBC has posted their documentary series online. Here's the first show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UqzBA1LNbE

Here's a humorous condensed history of the English language. Shows all those influences which makes it so difficult to know how to pronounce so many words. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfKhlJIAhew