Why letter lowercase 'a' is typed and written differently?

Question

When one writes the letter lowercase 'a', it looks different from the one typed in computers and one that appears in book?

Answer 1

They come from two different writing styles in the days before the printing press. The 'a' with the "hat" on it is based on a writing style called uncial. The 'a' used in handwriting is based on a style called miniscule. The uncial had actually gone out of use in the middle ages, but was revived with the printing press. Printers wanted a lower case 'a' that looked as much different as lower case 'o' as possible, because the miniscule 'a' was often easily confused with lower case 'o'. So the printers reached back into the history of writing and resurrected the uncial 'a' for use in printing.

Answer 2

I guess it looks too much like "o" is you type it the way you write. It "a" looks nicer on the computer...

+ Why are people only noticing that when you ask this question? They should have noticed it long ago! (unless they seldom use the computer).

Answer 3

Because on the old typewriters a type "a" looked too much like an "o".

Answer 4

Haha I never really thought about that or even noticed it. But yeah you are right. I have never seen someone handwrite an "a" as it looks on the computer.

Answer 5

you can write it either way, I've seen people do both, it's just what's eaiser for you, it's a lot harder to hand write the computer a, especially if you're writing in cursive.

Answer 6

You noticed...wow!... That is like noticing the black pin dot on a white wall.......lol....

If you became a detective, I bet you would solve all your cases..

Answer 7

ofen inglish language has know lojic in spelling, grammar,script and usaje.

Answer 8

You need a hobby or something

Answer 9

artistic license of old