My unscripted story:

Here’s a little story about how my day went today I woke up at 5:00 to take my son to his hockey practice but I was very tired because I had been rudely awakened at 3:30 by my dog who had to pee very badly it was challenging to go back to sleep but I did and of course the alarm went off at 5:00 to Get Me Out of bed I got up had a quick shower and then got my little one out of bed so that he could get ready to get to the rink I made a pot of coffee packed his water bottle and got him a snack for the car ride we got into the car about 525 and began our drive over to the rink we enjoy listening to Larry and Elise on the radio in the morning because they are often quite funny today there was also a beautiful sunrise so we got to see that on the way to the hockey rink the drive is about 20 minutes long but we enjoy it once we got to the rink my son got all his gear on and then got on the ice at 6:00 AM until 7:00 AM I spent that time watching him as well as doing some mindless online shopping when he was done his practice at 7:00 AM he got changed and we began our drive home we usually stop at Tim horton’s to get a muffin or a doughnut and we often get his brother a treat too when we got home he got in the shower and I started making lunches for the day after getting everybody organized I packed up myself and started driving to work I teach in port Moody so it is a bit of a commute from Langley when I got to school I had my prep block so was able to get a few tasks accomplished before going to my first block which happens to be a dance class today we had lots of fun doing some lyrical work and we finished with a combo at the end of class after that class I had a career life connections class some of my grade 12 students they’re working on capstone projects and are moving along nicely. After career life connections it was lunchtime so I sat at my desk and did some prep work for the rest of the week after lunchtime I had a PE nine class and we had lots of fun today because it was the start of our badminton unit it took some time to get through the rules of badminton and how to set up the equipment properly but the kids were excited to get going so we started learning about serving after doing some practices I let them rally for the rest of class just to get a hang of how to do some basic badminton skills after my grade nine class today I had a grade 10 PE class that I was covering for a friend as he was away at a soccer tournament we had a fun class I took them outside to play kickball in the beautiful sunshine after that it was the end of the day and I did a little bit more work at school before leaving I drove home in the crazy traffic and was able to make it in decent time I took my son to volleyball where he practices every Tuesday and Wednesday night after volleyball we drove home and I made homemade Mac and cheese with a salad for dinner After dinner we played some bucket ball outside and then I helped my youngest son with some homework before bed I’m exhausted it’s been a long day

My analysis:

My voice-to-text story is a simple account of a day in my life, but it deviates from the conventions of written English in several key ways. To begin with, it contains many run-on sentences and lacks proper punctuation. Much of the text is written as either one long sentence or a few extremely lengthy sentences, with no clear sentence boundaries where readers would expect periods, commas, or semicolons. The language is also very informal, reflecting a conversational style. The phrasing often mimics spoken language, such as “my little one,” “mindless online shopping,” or “crazy traffic.” These expressions work well in oral storytelling but are less typical in formal written English. Another noticeable issue is inconsistent capitalization. Because there are so few periods, capital letters appear in unusual places, as in “Get Me Out of bed.” At the same time, capitals are missing where they are required, such as for proper nouns like Tim Hortons, which in my story appeared with a lowercase “h.”

Outside of these basic language structure issues, I also noticed there is no paragraphing or overall organization. The entire story is presented as one giant block of text. In conventional writing, I would likely have broken it into paragraphs by topic, such as morning routine, hockey, school day, and evening.

Another issue is redundancy and repetition in some sections. For example, the phrase “we got to the rink… he got all his gear on and then got on the ice” could be expressed more concisely. In oral storytelling, people often repeat details for emphasis, but in written form information is usually clearer and more efficient. This is supported by Gnanadesikan (2011), who states, “finished written pieces are much more carefully crafted than a typical spoken sentence” (p. 5).

Finally, I noticed a shift in both tense and register throughout the writing. Most of the text is in past tense, but at times it shifts subtly into present tense, as in “today we had lots of fun doing lyrical work.” In addition, as I was speaking, my words shifted between formal and informal styles within the same passage. In some parts the writing sounds like I’m just chatting with a friend but then it starts sounding formal as in a classroom setting.

Though there are many aspects of this story that need correction, there are also a few positives worth noting. First, the story follows a clear timeline, which gives the narrative logical flow and makes it easy to follow. The text also includes small, specific details that paint a picture and keep the story engaging. In addition, it contains a variety of experiences that add depth, and finally, it reflects the way people naturally share stories out loud.

When I think of oral storytelling, I am reminded of being a child and listening to my grandfather share stories about his boyhood, his first job, and how different life was back then. I listened intently, picturing myself in those times and feeling emotions like wonder and sadness, as it seemed my grandfather had been given very little and had to work hard for everything he achieved. These stories have stayed with me vividly, even after many years.

Written stories, on the other hand, feel different. I have read many books that tell powerful and engaging stories, but I only remember scattered details from most of them. Oral storytelling seems to create a deeper emotional connection for me, perhaps because it is personal, interactive, and tied to memory and emotion, while written storytelling, though lasting on the page, does not always linger as strongly in my mind.

Reference:

Gnanadesikan, A.E. (2011). The first IT revolution. In The writing revolution: Cuneiform to the Internet (pp. 1-12). John Wiley & Sons.

[03:40] Dr. Boroditsky mentions “in a lot of languages, you have to change the verb depending on how you came to know about this information”

After hearing this line, I paused the video for a moment. A powerful thought came to mind: in languages with “evidential information,” is there less misinformation? Misinformation seems to be one of our largest societal struggles today, especially as the use of technology continues to expand worldwide. Postman (2011) reminds us that “once a technology is admitted, it plays out its hand; it does what it is supposed to do. Our task is to understand what that design is—that is to say, when we admit a new technology to a culture, we must do so with our eyes wide open.” Technology can be a powerful force for good, especially when it helps crucial information reach people quickly during dangerous situations. At the same time, if all languages encouraged speakers to provide the source of their knowledge, we might be better equipped to sort reliable information from misinformation. Combining the possibilities of technology with the clarity of evidential language could help us promote more responsible, trustworthy communication.

[08:20] Dr. Boroditsky asks “to what extent do language and culture guide what we see in the world?”

This question makes me think about how language and culture connect people. People who can speak several languages are able to relate and engage with more people in the world. Language shapes how we talk about and understand our experiences. Sometimes, certain ideas or feelings just come across better in one language than another. Culture also plays a role in what we notice and what we think is important. For example, some cultures focus more on nature and community, while others highlight independence and achievement. In the end, both language and culture shape how we see the world and how we see ourselves in it.

[12:23] Dr. Boroditsky states “what we know is that the future is in front and the past is behind”.

She follows up this statement with an example of how some cultures see the past and the future the opposite way. This idea seems so optimistic and logical to me. The future is unknown, which is why it’s behind you. The past is something we already know and can see which is why it’s placed in front of us. The future, on the other hand, is uncertain, so it makes sense that it’s seen as being behind us. I find this really interesting because it shows how much language and culture influence the way we imagine time. It makes me wonder how these perspectives affect the way people make decisions. If you see the past as visible and right in front of you, maybe you rely on it more to guide your choices. On the other hand, if you see the future as in front, it might push you to focus more on what lies ahead and what’s possible.

[20:15] Dr. Boroditsky mentions “all nouns are of a particular gender”.

I’m a fluent French speaker, and I remember learning French as a child and thinking it was so strange that objects were either “girls” or “boys.” It wasn’t like this in English, so I wondered why it was in French. Boroditsky (2011) writes that bilingual people see the world differently depending on which language they’re using. Assigning gender to objects might actually influence the way we describe or even feel about them. It also shows that learning another language doesn’t just give us new words, it can change the way we think and expand the way we understand things.

[34:10] Dr. Boroditsky states that “Mathematics is a universal language”

This sentence made me think of the power of number words in language. Numbers hold incredible meaning. As a mathematics educator, I’ve spent many years making sure students not only understand the concepts they are learning but also why those concepts matter. So many of the math skills we teach connect directly to everyday life, measuring and building, paying for items and budgeting, or cooking and baking. Beyond these practical tasks, numbers also help us in other ways. They allow us to describe patterns, compare quantities, and make decisions based on evidence. So, math really is its own kind of language, giving us tools to communicate ideas and solve problems.

[45:18] Dr. Boroditsky has the following sentence written on the screen “Linguistic diversity is a testament to the incredible flexibility and ingenuity of the human mind”.

As I read this statement I thought, why is there so much conflict in the world if our brains are capable of such flexibility? But then I began to remember, though our minds are capable of adapting they can’t always overcome big emotions which means we often revert to more rigid thinking. I guess my hope is if our minds are actually this capable maybe understanding and embracing linguistic and cultural diversity could help us focus our energy toward resolving conflict instead of creating it.

References:

Boroditsky, L. (2011). How language shapes thought. Scientific American, 304(2), 62-65.

Postman, N. (2011). Technopoly: The surrender of culture to technology. Knopf Doubleday Publishing. (Original work published 1992).

SAR School for Advanced Research. (2017, June 7). Lera Boroditsky, how the languages we speak shape the way we think [Video]. YouTube.

Hi everyone, my name is Angela Jarvis, and this is my ninth MET course. I’m also taking ETEC 540, which makes this my final term in the program! I currently teach PE, Career Education, Math, and Philanthropy at a high school in beautiful Port Moody, B.C., where I’ve been teaching for 23 years. I live in Langley with my husband and three boys. In the photo above, you’ll see me with two of my boys, my husband, my niece, and my dad on an epic adventure to Lynn Canyon, one of my favorite days this summer.

Outside of teaching, my second job is being a chauffeur, as most of my free time is spent driving my kids from one activity to another. I also coach soccer and hockey, so my days are full. On weekends, I love being outside, whether I’m watching my kids play sports or doing something fun as a family. I also really value quiet, alone time when I can get it, usually with a good book or a great movie.

I joined the fanny pack trend a few years ago, and I like this one because it holds so much. Not everything pictured is a true ‘need,’ but they’re all things I reach for often. The items included are:

1. Small wallet
2. A notepad
3. A protein bar
4. Receipts
5. Sunglasses
6. Glasses
7. iPhone
8. My work keys
9. Car key
10. Sunscreen
11. A pen
12. Chapstick
13. Travel Uno

I use my wallet mostly for payments, memberships, and reward cards, plus a few random cards I rarely touch but still keep. My notepad is for quick notes when I don’t feel like using my phone. I carry a protein bar because busy days make me forget to eat, and I’m not great at clearing receipts so they pile up. Sunglasses and glasses are always with me since I’m often moving between different spaces. My car keys and work keys are essential for getting around and working at school. I keep sunscreen for myself and my kids, a pen for quick notes or forms, and ChapStick for lip health. And finally, Travel Uno is my go-to for keeping us entertained when we have time to kill between events.

When I think of “texts,” I usually imagine books, articles, or messages, but if my items listed above communicate meaning about who I am I suppose they are “texts” as well. Several of the items in my bag tell a story about my routines and priorities. My notepad and pen show that I like to write things down and stay organized, while my receipts and small wallet reveal where I shop and how I spend my money. My protein bar, sunscreen, and ChapStick point to how I care about health and looking after myself, and my work keys and car key highlight the responsibilities and spaces I move between each day. Lastly my Travel Uno game communicates something important, it shows that I value fun and connection with others. When I look at these items together, they do tell a story about my life without me saying a single word.

My cell phone is the most obvious example of text technology in my bag. It is a central hub that blends my personal, academic, and professional communication. I rely on this item more than any other object in my bag. I use my iPhone to engage with language and communication in fast, flexible, and multi-layered ways. Through texting, I often use shortened words, emojis, and images to express meaning and emotion quickly. Social media apps allow me to share ideas with a broad audience while also shaping how I present myself. Even things like my camera roll, voice notes, or WhatsApp are texts. These apps all show in the moment if I’m more into communicating with pictures, talking, or writing.

For me, there’s a strong connection between the narrative of what’s in my bag and the story told by the image of my family. The items in my bag highlight key themes in my life: I value health, organization, and responsibility, while also prioritizing family, fun, and connection. The family photo captures all of these things; it’s about making new healthy memories responsibly with the people I care most about while doing something we love. My bag looked very different 15 years ago; back then it was a giant diaper bag filled with anything a new mom might need at any moment. Interestingly, from what I remember, that diaper bag also contained almost all the same items I carry now in my fanny pack, except for the work keys, since I was on maternity leave! Together, both the photo and the bag serve as texts that tell the story of who I am, how I’ve grown, and what matters most to me.