Is learning cursive writing still important?

Jeanwah

Is handwriting still important? The digital generation skips penmanship

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22157892

As interactive technology becomes ubiquitous around the globe, some experts warn that formal handwriting may soon diminish, rendering the penmanship a relic of the past.

Fears of handwriting's demise prompted North Carolina Congresswoman Pat Hurley to draft a bill, mandating that script be taught in all elementary schools in the state. It passed unanimously in the state House earlier this month.

But Jeffrey Reaser, associate professor of linguistics at North Carolina State University, says a sense of "nostalgia" is not enough reason to force students to learn something that's "not crucial to their education".

Meanwhile, some classrooms in the state have begun teaching students handwriting on iPads and iPods.

blackredyellow

No, it's not at all.

Heck, I'm 38, and besides signing my name (which is basically a scribble), I can't remember the last time I wrote something in cursive. It likely was in school.

hedonist

I fear it will go the way of "proper" English and language in general.

Penmanship (ie, writing by hand but not necessarily cursive) is still important as not everything is digitized. As much as I work on the computer, I still do some writing by hand in my little mix of printing and cursive (plus, what about cards, letters, etc.? Does no one send actual physical cards for birthdays and the like anymore?).

One thing I have noticed though, is that my writing hand gets tired much quicker than it used to.

Jason P

Handwritting or just cursive writting? I stopped using cursive in the 10th grade but I couldn't imagine handwritting ever going away.

I remember I had to pen an oath to the college that accepted me that needed to be in cursive ... It took me five tries before I got everything right because I had forgetten how certain letters formed.

I'm glad I was able to do it at home ... if a university official was watching me struggle that probably would have had second thoughts about letting me in.

:fp:

Jeanwah

Just think, if future generations can't read or write cursive, they won't be able to read any of the formal documents written in cursive by our forefathers, let alone any historical document (in cursive).

Jason P

Jeanwah wrote:

Just think, if future generations can't read or write cursive, they won't be able to read any of the formal documents written in cursive by our forefathers, let alone any historical document (in cursive).

There's an app for that ....

:fp:

jason

Jeanwah wrote:

Just think, if future generations can't read or write cursive, they won't be able to read any of the formal documents written in cursive by our forefathers, let alone any historical document (in cursive).

That is what Google is for. Copy and paste it in to a cursive translator and BAM, there it is. Not an issue when we live in an age where our phones can talk, take HD photos, be a GPS system.

Indifference

Jason P wrote:

Jeanwah wrote:

Just think, if future generations can't read or write cursive, they won't be able to read any of the formal documents written in cursive by our forefathers, let alone any historical document (in cursive).

There's an app for that ....

:fp:

HA! Great point.

Jeanwah

Jason P wrote:

Jeanwah wrote:

Just think, if future generations can't read or write cursive, they won't be able to read any of the formal documents written in cursive by our forefathers, let alone any historical document (in cursive).

There's an app for that ....

:fp:

:fp:

Really? Do we really want to just completely, 100% rely on digital technology including reading and writing script? REALLY???

What do you do when your computer / signal is down? Wait??

chadwick

I can't write in cursive very well & probably forgot many of the letters shapes. the letter z was a stupid letter in cursive. some people write in both cursive & print to form a sentence. these ppl are fun.

Jeanwah

chadwick wrote:

I can't write in cursive very well & probably forgot many of the letters shapes. the letter z was a stupid letter in cursive. some people write in both cursive & print to form a sentence. these ppl are fun.

Gotta agree, Z and Q I can't say I've ever really used. I write calligraphy and these two letters aren't much different when writing, but cursive is completely different.

blueandwhite

I put cursive writing up there with calligraphy and latin in terms of importance. Is it nice to know; sure. Is it necessary? I would be hesitant to say that cursive writing is an essential skill in a digital age. being able to print should suffice for this coming generation.

Last-12-Exit

Other than to sign your name, no, its not a relevant form of writing. With email, texting, and any other way to type and transmit information, there's no need for it.

Last-12-Exit

Jeanwah wrote:

Jason P wrote:

Jeanwah wrote:

Just think, if future generations can't read or write cursive, they won't be able to read any of the formal documents written in cursive by our forefathers, let alone any historical document (in cursive).

There's an app for that ....

:fp:

:fp:

Really? Do we really want to just completely, 100% rely on digital technology including reading and writing script? REALLY???

What do you do when your computer / signal is down? Wait??

In the case of a computer down, printing is just as effective as cursive.

chadwick

kids should use a quill pen & inkwell as they study the art of cursive as some mean old quaker (buckle shoes & all) guides them along nicely.

hedonist

chadwick wrote:

I can't write in cursive very well & probably forgot many of the letters shapes. the letter z was a stupid letter in cursive. some people write in both cursive & print to form a sentence. these ppl are fun.

:P

I write a cursive Q like a big ol' 2.

This kinda reminds me of when a cashier goes down and the person must do the math either in their head or by hand.

(but HOW?)

Some of my most beloved tangibles are handwritten cards and notes I've received throughout my life. I love how the physical style of writing is so entwined with the person, the personality. They mean more to me than anything I've ever received via email.

chadwick

hedonist wrote:

chadwick wrote:

I can't write in cursive very well & probably forgot many of the letters shapes. the letter z was a stupid letter in cursive. some people write in both cursive & print to form a sentence. these ppl are fun.

:P

I write a cursive Q like a big ol' 2.

This kinda reminds me of when a cashier goes down and the person must do the math either in their head or by hand.

(but HOW?)

Some of my most beloved tangibles are handwritten cards and notes I've received throughout my life. I love how the physical style of writing is so entwined with the person, the personality. They mean more to me than anything I've ever received via email.

yes. letters, cards, artwork, all extremely important. kids need this stuff. it is a skill to be capable of nice writing. it cannot not be taught. communication a must

gimmesometruth27

i still print every day at work. i sometimes use cursive, though it is a bastardized form of cursive, as i have made my own changes/improvements on the accepted traditional cursive script...

:geek:

Pjzepp67

hedonist wrote:

I fear it will go the way of "proper" English and language in general.

Penmanship (ie, writing by hand but not necessarily cursive) is still important as not everything is digitized. As much as I work on the computer, I still do some writing by hand in my little mix of printing and cursive (plus, what about cards, letters, etc.? Does no one send actual physical cards for birthdays and the like anymore?).

One thing I have noticed though, is that my writing hand gets tired much quicker than it used to.

Maybe not just the writing thats causing the tiredness !!!

hedonist

Pjzepp67 wrote:

hedonist wrote:

I fear it will go the way of "proper" English and language in general.

Penmanship (ie, writing by hand but not necessarily cursive) is still important as not everything is digitized. As much as I work on the computer, I still do some writing by hand in my little mix of printing and cursive (plus, what about cards, letters, etc.? Does no one send actual physical cards for birthdays and the like anymore?).

One thing I have noticed though, is that my writing hand gets tired much quicker than it used to.

Maybe not just the writing thats causing the tiredness !!!

I'm a woman - no carpal tunnel here!

("Ve haff vays!" )

Pjzepp67

hedonist wrote:

Pjzepp67 wrote:

hedonist wrote:

I fear it will go the way of "proper" English and language in general.

Penmanship (ie, writing by hand but not necessarily cursive) is still important as not everything is digitized. As much as I work on the computer, I still do some writing by hand in my little mix of printing and cursive (plus, what about cards, letters, etc.? Does no one send actual physical cards for birthdays and the like anymore?).

One thing I have noticed though, is that my writing hand gets tired much quicker than it used to.

Maybe not just the writing thats causing the tiredness !!!

I'm a woman - no carpal tunnel here!

("Ve haff vays!" )

You go girl...we live in liberated times...