Who journals in cursive penmanship?
The teacher in me smiles when I notice
a young person who writes in cursive script.
The day our pen pal letters arrived from Germany,
was revealing in my German classes.
Many students remarked that the students
in Germany had such beautiful handwriting.
And they wrote using a fountain pen and ink.
Some of my students asked what a fountain
pen was. They used ballpoint pens or pencil.
Cursive writing is good for the brain and improves
fine motor skills. My own note taking in college
involved cursive writing. The skill is one I still
use today from the ordinary shopping lists or
reminder notes. In my early teaching career,
students wrote homework assignments in
cursive. Imagine how surprised I was to learn
that some students no longer learned cursive
writing in elementary grades. From time to time
I am asked to translate from German. Some
want to know what family documents such as birth
certificates mean in English. Anyone who has
ever read a handwritten letter from a grandparent,
knows one must adapt to a particular writing
style. Often, I had to read through and write out
words before getting to word meanings. The art
of translation has been an enjoyable pursuit for
me over the years. There is a sense of satisfaction
at being able to provide the English to a last will
and testament for the lawyer or family member.
Let’s go back to my initial question of who uses
cursive handwriting. I do. I learned how in first
grade in Massachusetts. Our mail carrier who hails
from Jamaica learned it in first grade. She arrived here
in fifth grade. Personally, I find that writing in
cursive allows me to be more creative. My journal
accompanies me to the park for a walk. Also, to
many waiting rooms where I can jot down thoughts,
reflections, or even questions. Handwriting is a
vital life skill. Better than blank staring at screens.
Sadly another disappearing skill along with doing arithmetic without a calculator . I agree cursive helps the thought process. Heaven knows our young people need help in this department.
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R, your thoughtful comment is much appreciated. Mental math is something most folks could use help with. Improving eye hand coordination improves the more one writes in cursive. May you have a lovely weekend filled with cursive penmanship and arithmetic along with sun and garden activities. ox
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I like calligraphy for many of the same reasons.
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Cindy, thanks for the comment. I love calligraphy and should try it one of these days. In my spare time! What spare time? I bet you would be good at it based on what I see from your artistic eye in photography! Have a grand weekend! oxox
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I liked cursive writing and used it almost exclusively. Now I can’t read my own writing easily. It’s the computer for me, where I can blow up the print where others could read it across the street.
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Anne, thank you for the thoughtful comment. Computers can enlarge the print to aid in reading. Whatever works for you! My husband sometimes has difficulty reading what I wrote on the list for the grocery store. You gave me smiles as I read your comment. Our human foibles cause us laughter from time to time. Have a grand weekend. oxox
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Yes, we do have our foibles. I smiled when I saw you wished me a grand weekend, and I was wishing for peaceful and quiet. oxox
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For me, peaceful and quiet is also a grand weekend. Simple pleasures in life. oxox
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Liebe Mary Ann,
in unserem Computerzeitalter erscheint die Nutzung der kursiven Schreibschrift fast wie ein Fossil einer vergangenen Zeit. Gott sei Dank ist Schreiben in Kursivschrift noch nicht aus gestorben. Technische Normschrift und Schreiben auf dem Laptop scheint wohl die Entwicklung der Zukunft zu sein . Soll man diese Entwicklung mit ” Fortschritt ” bezeichnen ? Ist ” Fortschritt ” immer besser als das Vergangene ? Wir müssen scheinbar mit dieser Entwicklung leben.
Das in diesem Blog von Dir veröffentlichte Foto mit Deinen beiden Kindern begeistert mich immer wieder aufs Neue. Heute sind sie ” groß ” und haben ihre eigene Familie. So schreitet die Zeit voran. Man sollte jeden Augenblick bewußt genießen und sich daran erfreuen.
Dir , liebe Mary Ann , Russell und Deiner Familie wünsche ich alles Liebe und Gute für eine glückliche Zukunft.
Dein Arno
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Lieber Arno
vielen Dank für einen so nachdenklichen und reflektierenden Kommentar. Während Computer ihren Platz in unserem Leben haben, ist die Kunst der Übersetzung nicht perfektioniert worden. Ich frage mich, ob es jemals so sein wird? Ich persönlich liebe alte Bücher und Manuskripte in der Originalform. Es scheint, dass es eine gewaltige Aufgabe wäre, sie alle in Computer umzuwandeln. Bald wird es neue Generationen geben, die kein Wissen oder wenig Wissen über die Vergangenheit haben, was meiner bescheidenen Meinung nach eine große Schande ist. Deine Vergangenheit und deine Geschichte zu kennen bedeutet, die gleichen Fehler zu vermeiden, die gemacht werden; andernfalls werden diese Fehler wieder einmal gemacht. Ich frage mich, ob das “Neue” immer als “Fortschritt” interpretiert werden sollte? Vielleicht und vielleicht auch nicht. Es scheint, dass wir heute beide philosophisch sind. Zum Glück ist alles gut mit unseren Kindern und ihren Familien. Das Foto mit unseren beiden Kindern ist einer der Favoriten meines Mannes. Schweindorf erinnern wir uns noch mit schönen Erinnerungen. Wir setzen einen Fuß vor den anderen und preisen den Herrn, dass alles gut ist.
Wir hoffen dasselbe für Dich und Deine Familie. Von unseren Herzen zu Euren, mögest Du eine wunderbare Zukunft haben und das Leben genießen. Alles Gute
Deine Mary Ann
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I handwrite in my journal every night, as did my mother. I also often handwrite the rough drafts of chapters of my books before typing them up on the computer and editing them. I would however never be so cruel as to insist others read my handwriting as it is almost unreadable these days.
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Darlene, thank you for the informational comment. I had a habit of handwriting everything first before typing it on a typewriter or on the computer. I compose better by hand. Even my Ph.D. dissertation which most folks would not do – ever. Now I have a soulmate who has similar writing habits. My students had to “figure out” what I wrote on the board for them to copy by hand. I bet your handwriting is readable though! What a wonderful habit you have formed. Bravo to you. Have a great weekend and week ahead. oxox
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