There is a discussion in Maine whether to continue teaching
script (long hand) in schools. Perhaps
it is time to leave behind the hand-written word. Perhaps in the near future there will no
longer be a need for children to write longhand, or even print; because all
communication will be through tweets and word processors.
But there was a time before computers when handwriting and
beautiful script was appreciated. Cards
and letters came through the mail. People
looked forward to receiving hand written notes, cards and letters; and
personalized correspondence was valued and often saved for years and even
decades.
Now, in the days of texting and twitter and e-cards that
require no effort and little thought, correspondence is forgotten as soon as it
is sent and soon as received.
For those of us old enough to remember the pre-computer and cell phone world, the loss of personalized correspondence seems a shame. But, or course, the world has moved beyond
us, and changing generations brings about changing values.
The Ol’Buzzard
Children that can’t read cursive will not be able to read
historic documents.
