An Op-Ed article in the April 27th New York Times addressed the idea that teaching children to write in cursive is outmoded and no longer necessary in our technologically-oriented society. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/us/28cursive.html?_r=0
While it was interesting to see this as a topic of discussion, I was not surprised at how the prevalence of mediocre thinking has made it one. Many arguments both pro and con followed this article and while I had to agree that each presented some valid points, I remain in favor of retaining the practice in schools.
Of course, my communication method has changed to fit the times and social media. While I am saddened each time I scribble my mostly illegible ‘signature’ on a check or electronic payment device, yet I am still proud of the long, careful missives that I wrote to friends and family; notably an 18-page letter written to my parents that detailed my first trip with my husband to Europe and Israel in 1974. They and so many other recipients of my handwritten letters have made it clear over the years that these artifacts of an earlier age would be treasured and preserved.
Using a mouse and keyboard, tablet computer or smartphone requires different sets of muscles than writing or drawing with pen, pencil or brush. Sometimes, I will write reminders or shopping lists in longhand, or I’ll record thoughts in one of my tiny journals; just so I don’t forget how to do so.
It’s really part of my regimen as an illustrator to keep my hand and drawing skills flexible. Which reminds me of the innovative, fearless French artist and filmmaker Jean Cocteau who once referred to drawing as handwriting that has been untied and retied in a different fashion. If that is so, then in my opinion, without the disciplinary basis of handwriting, drawing might be less articulate. Without learning to discipline my own untamed line, I might never have become an illustrator nor would I have been able to create an alphabet like ‘Garrulous Gothic’ shown above this post. When we learn to write, we learn to do itprimarily in one language for efficient communication.
But what is truly lacking in standard education is the teaching of drawing alongside of handwriting so that one skill doesn’t quash the other. Not only would this practice allow our handwriting to become more personal and creative, it would leave us with an important skill that lets us express ourselves in a universal language that everyone can understand.
Tags: alphabet, Calligraphy, communication, cursive, digital art, gothic, handwriting, Illustration, ink drawing, Jean Cocteau, longhand, scribble
May 23, 2013 at 4:12 AM |
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June 4, 2013 at 12:14 AM |
Thanks for visiting Imaginarius and for your kind words, Declan. I also hope you will visit my Kickstarter page (see this week’s blog post for the link)to learn about and support this unique project!
Ilene
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June 15, 2013 at 4:58 AM |
What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable knowledge regarding unexpected
emotions.
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June 15, 2013 at 10:44 AM |
I’ve approved your comment mostly out of curiosity.
Your statement mystifies me; can you explain what you mean?
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July 14, 2013 at 8:39 AM |
Thank you, ‘college graduation’ for your comment and your interest in my blog. I try to post once a week, but only if I have something worth posting about. Your continuing comments and questions are always welcome.
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September 18, 2013 at 4:05 AM |
Thank you for visiting Imaginarius! I should have a new post up next week with updates on my latest project. I stopped by your blog and just want to say how nicely it’s done! Tomatos and avocados are among my favorite foods!
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September 18, 2013 at 9:26 PM |
Exceptional post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject?
I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
Cheers!
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September 19, 2013 at 8:05 AM |
Hello Koerpergroesse: Thank you for visiting Imaginarius and for your question. There is much that can be said in favor of rediscovering and improving our handwriting and I can certainly write more on this subject. However, it might be helpful if you could suggest an area of this subject that you would like to know more about, for example, the history and development of written language, etc. I am certainly no expert, but would appreciate the opportunity to explore the subject further myself.
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October 2, 2014 at 5:25 PM |
You’re so cool! I do not believe I have read a single thing
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October 3, 2014 at 3:42 AM |
Thanks, Alexandra (abbenches). In retrospect that post was rather ironic. I’ve had to become so very mindful of my own handwriting in the face of all the keyboard time that is making it just a memory. I am reminded of this each time I sign one of my books or artworks for a collector!
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