Years later, I still find the need for the scripted word. Seeing the ink create something using my hand, feeling the nib scratch the paper, the words flowing and allowing me to liberate my thoughts.
When upset, happy or just alone, I find myself with pen in my hand. Sometimes just doodling, sometimes penning artwork, and sometimes I just let my thoughts fill a page.
Writing has always been a way of letting my thoughts run wild. I can write out what I think. Upset with someone, I can write out how I feel. Cursive writing flows so much easier than the printed format, releasing so much more. Here is where the pen is gentler than the sword...I can tear up, crumple, or burn my words without hurting a soul. Once said words become part of my history, potentially hurting someone.
Now, to why I am distrubed. Many, if not most, schools have decided it is no longer necessary to teach cursive writing. Students are losing the ability and feel of the flowing word that eases their pain, increases their joy, and just lets them be themselves.
I do hope somewhere, somehow the idea of cursive writing will go on in the world.
Jan - Am I the first person to comment on your new blog? How cool!!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, my handwriting is awful. I learned to type when I was twelve, and typing has always been my chosen form of communication. I started out clunking away on my dad's old Royal (or it might have originally belonged to my grandfather - not sure), and later moved up through several stages of IBM Selectrics. When word processor hit the computer age, I was thrilled - and I've never looked back!
I'm always mystified and a little awed by people who can write their stories in longhand. If I did that, no one would ever be able to read a word - probably including me!
Jan,
ReplyDeleteI'm with you! My sons were "exposed" to cursive in second grade--and that's it. Now they have sloppy printed handwriting to show for it, and they have trouble reading notes I write. Not only will future generations not be able to write longhand, but they won't be able to read monographs. It's sad.
Sorry to say, but I think most handwritten documents will go away in the next ten years. The upside is that communication will actually improve, and fewer errors will be made. My sons text me and even if they have typos, at least I know what it says. :)
ReplyDeleteTrue story:
ReplyDeleteI had just the previous day heard on the news about Indiana not continuing to teach cursive writing anymore. While checking out at Petco, and as I was signing the charge slip for my purchases, I mentioned "I wonder what people will do when cursive writing is no longer taught and no one can sign their names anymore." The check-out girl answered me with " I use a star".
Wow! This told me she couldn't write cursively nor sign her name so I then said " Hmmm, wouldn't that be easy to steal?"
She said "no since no one knows about it except for my bank."
I then thought "maybe no one knows about it but you just told me, a random customer, that you can't sign your name and you use a star as your signature that your bank recognizes as a signature for your transactions!!!"
Were I one to, I sure could steal her stuff, since her name was on my charge slip!!!
I guess the moral is, we still need to teach cursive writing or hope to god the people we meet are trustworthy!
And another piece of our 'gentility' is lost forever!
ReplyDelete