"Have you heard that some people believe it would be a good thing if cursive writing — or script, if you will — went the way of the horse and buggy? All those years of learning and struggling for a beautiful “hand” will be for naught.
But think of it: When was the last time you wrote cursive except to sign a check or legal document or pen a note to your grandmother? And when is the last time you got an actual hand-written letter?
Most of us write on keyboards, or we Twitter or send phone messages now. It's all very legible, and the recipient can read it with no trouble. Word processing creates a level playing field for those of us whose writing isn't so great."
Read the full article here.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
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I believe that the article misstates its case. Cursive is a form of handwriting that should die. I am a lefty who struggled with cursive for years. It was embarrassing to try and defend or improve my cursive. I happen to work at a bookstore and also happened to notice "Script and Scribble", and utilized it in full. I purchased "Write Now" and taught myself Italic. I now have functional, beautiful handwriting.
ReplyDeleteThe author of "Script & Scribble" noticed the decrepit state of her handwriting. She realized it was the cursive that was responsible for illegibility. She, much as I did, abandoned it for Italic, which is much easier to use.
I do not for one minute believe that this is the end of handwriting, but the end of today's uselessly ornamental cursive that was designed for engraving not writing. At its best it isn't pretty, but obfuscating, why keep it around now?
I heartily recommend that anyone struggling with cursive handwriting drop it at once for Italic as taught by Nan Jay Barchowsky or Getty & Dubay. There is a world of difference. I believe that it could even increase interest in aesthetic handwriting.
Handwriting is no more going away than books & physical money are going away. This is part of the press' empty dreaming. What is needed is to shake off these dead forms and let script become more fluid.